Situation in Nigeria chaotic under “Baba-go-slow”, “Emilokan” reign – Obasanjo

Our reporter/ Nigeria’s failing state status is evident due to “widespread corruption, poor leadership, and immorality”, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said.

According to a statement by Kehinde Akinyemi, the special assistant on media to the former president, Obasanjo made the disclosure, while speaking at the Chinua Achebe leadership forum held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

In his keynote address at the forum titled ‘Leadership failure and state capture in Nigeria,’ Obasanjo said Nigeria is sinking into insecurity, division, and underdevelopment.

He described the situation in Nigeria as chaotic under “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan” reign.

“Emilokan” is a term popularised during President Bola Tinubu’s election campaign, when he said it was his turn to lead the country.

“As the world can see and understand, Nigeria’s situation is bad,” Obasanjo was quoted to have said.

“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment.

“That’s the situation mostly in Nigeria in the reign of Baba-go-slow and Emilokan.

“The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated, and manifested for every honest person to see.

“This is manifested for every honest person to see through the consequences of corruption, mediocrity, immorality, and other forms of iniquity. But yes, there is hope.”

The elder statesman accused the political elite of engaging in what he called “state capture,” adding that they manipulate national policies and resources for personal gains.

“State capture is one of the most pervasive forms of corruption,” Obasanjo said.

“What is happening in Nigeria right before our eyes is state capture, where public institutions are subject to undue influence from vested interests.”

Obasanjo, while honouring Chinua Achebe, the late literary icon, acknowledged his enduring impact on Nigerian society and described him as “a great and distinguished Nigerian.”