Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has stirred public interest with a powerful statement on leadership and transparency. Speaking at the 65th birthday celebration of Dele Mooodu in Abuja, Obasanjo said no leader’s past should be hidden from the public.
“A leader’s background must be clear. We must know where he is from, who his parents are—especially his mother,” he said. “A person seeking leadership must not have a secret past.”
Though he did not mention any names, his words were seen by many as a subtle jab—possibly directed at current or former political figures whose backgrounds remain unclear.
Obasanjo, who also spoke about his humble beginnings in a poor village, said he had nothing to hide about his past. “We didn’t have much, but we were not ashamed. That is why I can speak confidently today,” he added.
He also discussed poverty and hunger in Africa, calling for clear action to end what he called “abject poverty”—a condition where people don’t even know if they will eat the next day.
“If you want to solve a problem, you must understand it well. Poverty and hunger often come from poor resource distribution. God has given Africa resources. The issue is how we use and share them,” he said.
Obasanjo emphasized that education, food security, and proper resource management are key to solving Africa’s challenges.
