Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the exclusion of the Igbo people from Nigeria’s presidency due to past secession attempts, labeling it as unfair. He made these remarks during a meeting with the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo emphasized that all three major ethnic groups in Nigeria Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo had, at one time, considered breaking away from the country. He referenced the North’s attempt to secede through the “Araba” movement, with his friend Ahmed Jooda admitting involvement in the plot.

The former president expressed his dismay at hearing arguments that the Igbo cannot lead the country due to their involvement in the 1967 Biafra secession attempt. “It bleeds my heart when people say because the Igbo had carried out a secession, an Igbo man cannot be the president of Nigeria,” he stated.

Obasanjo argued that no ethnic group in Nigeria is free of past secession attempts, urging all Nigerians to unite and work towards building a stronger nation. He also criticized regionalism, which, he said, has contributed to the country’s prolonged issues.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s independence, Obasanjo noted the challenges of having multiple regional leaders at the time, a situation that has complicated national unity. He encouraged the League of Northern Democrats to adopt a national rather than regional focus, expressing his optimism for Nigeria’s greatness and his commitment to the country’s future.