Time running out for sit tight leaders in Africa – Obasanjo

Posted by admin Latest Politics, Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-79, 99-07), Presidency Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Cape Town (S-Africa) – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised sit-tight leaders across Africa that time is running out and should take a cue and bow out peacefully.

Obasanjo, who spoke at the presentation of the Africa Progress Panel (APP) report in Cape Town, yesterday, urged African leaders to realise that there is life after the state house.

“Time is running out. And when you look at it they are becoming really virtually extinct in the continent because how many of them do we have left?

“I will say secondly that they should look and see that those who have taken the way out are not too worse for it. At least I am here and I know Thabo Mbeki is there,” he said jokingly.

“I saw Benbella the other day and he is still happy and Kaunda is there still going around and was with me in Nigeria not long ago,” he said.

Obasanjo said that African leaders, unless where absolutely necessary, should be left to retire and live peacefully after leaving office.

“I believe that whatever mistakes a leader must have made, unless it is a heinous crime, he should be left peacefully to vegetate and retire to the village or wherever he wants to.

Obasanjo urged President Goodluck Jonathan to focus on key areas such as economy, security, unemployment, corruption, infrastructure and energy in order to move the country forward.

He said the last elections in Nigeria by its results, had strengthened the unity of the country.wp_posts