Obasanjo at Ibadan Summit: ‘A Government That Can’t Secure Its People Shouldn’t Exist’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo went to the Ibadan opposition summit with no interest in polite language. Standing before Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures, he delivered what is already one of the most widely quoted political statements of 2026.

“Any government that fails to guarantee the security of life and property has no justification to exist,” Obasanjo declared — a direct shot at the Tinubu administration’s security record. He attributed Nigeria’s challenges to poor leadership, warning that the country’s problems are fundamentally political, not merely operational.

He went further: criticising how Tinubu has handled ECOWAS-related challenges, stating that NNPC refineries will never work, and saying that attending National Council of State meetings had become a waste of time. He also warned that a one-party state would do Nigeria no good.

A Personal Aside

Amid the political fire, Obasanjo struck a more personal note — expressing gratitude to Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu for the IGP’s conduct during his 1995 house arrest under the Abacha military regime. It was a rare moment of public acknowledgment from a man not known for sentimentality.

His presence at the summit and the sharpness of his remarks send a clear signal about where he stands heading into 2027. His words will feature in opposition messaging in the months ahead — whether he intends that or not.

Sources: ThisDay, PrimeTimes