My imprisonment shows price of principled stand — Obasanjo

2026-03-04 - 13:46

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said his imprisonment under the late military ruler, Sani Abacha, remains a stark reminder of the cost that often accompanies principled leadership. Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while delivering a keynote address at an international colloquium titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World,” organised as part of activities marking his 89th birthday. Reflecting on his journey through military command, imprisonment and democratic governance, the elder statesman described leadership as both a heavy burden and a profound blessing. “My imprisonment proves the price of a principled stand. Leadership without principle is mere management. True leadership demands that you say no when yes would be more convenient — and that comes at a cost,” he said. Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and later as civilian President from 1999 to 2007, noted that many who covet power underestimate the personal sacrifices leadership entails. Drawing from his experience as Commander of the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War, he said leadership often requires solitary decisions whose consequences affect millions. “There is the loneliness of final decision. When all the briefings have been received and all arguments made, you alone must decide. That weight does not distribute itself,” he said. He recalled that in the final days of the civil war in January 1970, he opted for restraint to prevent further civilian casualties. “No textbook told me what to do. The decision was mine alone,” he stated, stressing that the moment underscored the moral weight leaders must carry. “The greatest burden a man can carry is his country on his shoulders. The greatest blessing he can also receive is that country’s gratitude. At 89, I now understand that the burden and the blessing are often the same,” he added. Despite the hardships he faced, including three-and-a-half years in prison, Obasanjo said he would still choose the path of service. “There is the blessing of having been given the opportunity to matter — to serve at the hinge of history,” he said. He described Nigeria’s first peaceful transition from military to civilian rule in 1979, when he handed over to Shehu Shagari, as one of the most fulfilling moments of his career. “It was the relief of having been tested and not found wanting,” he noted. On Africa’s development trajectory, Obasanjo argued that the continent’s persistent challenges stem more from governance failures than from geography or history. “Africa is richly endowed — with mineral wealth, vast arable land and the world’s youngest population. By every measure, we should be prosperous and stable. Instead, too much of our continent remains trapped in preventable suffering,” he said. He blamed poor leadership, weak institutions and corruption for the paradox, warning against personality-driven governance. “When a country’s trajectory depends solely on the character of one person, that country is permanently fragile,” he cautioned. Obasanjo called for a rethinking of democracy in Africa, urging leaders to adapt democratic systems to local realities while upholding accountability, transparency and inclusiveness. He also advocated deeper investment in leadership development and institutional strengthening, stressing that sustainable progress depends on systems that outlast individuals. Describing the global African diaspora as an underutilised asset, he urged governments to create enabling environments that encourage diaspora engagement. Highlighting regional integration, Obasanjo pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a transformative initiative capable of expanding markets, attracting investment and enhancing Africa’s global competitiveness if fully implemented. In his closing remarks, he expressed gratitude to God and reaffirmed his faith in Africa’s future, charging younger generations to embrace accountable and service-driven leadership. “Africa is not a problem to be managed,” he declared. “Africa is a promise to be fulfilled — and leadership is how that promise gets kept.”