Obasanjo: Igbo Marginalization Over Biafra Secession Is Unjust

Lagos, Nigeria.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced a striking observation, stating that every region in Nigeria has, at some point, considered secession. He emphasized that no ethnic group should be ostracized or punished for secessionist inclinations, including the Igbo people. Obasanjo made these remarks while hosting the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

In his speech, Obasanjo expressed his dismay at the ongoing marginalization of the Igbo ethnic group, particularly the notion that an Igbo person cannot become president of Nigeria due to the Biafran secession attempt. He firmly rejected this view, stating, “It bleeds my heart when people say because the Igbos had carried out secession, an Igbo man cannot be the president of Nigeria. I say what nonsense? There is no section of Nigeria that has not planned secession.”

The former president highlighted the root of Nigeria's troubles, attributing them to regionalism, which he argued has only served to deepen the divides among Nigerians and hamper the nation's progress. Obasanjo went further to question the preoccupation with regional leadership and called for a transformative shift in mindset. He urged Nigerians to prioritize national unity over regional affiliations to move the country forward.

His remarks come at a time when debates over the inclusion of the Igbo people in the highest echelons of political leadership continue to gain momentum. With calls for equity, justice, and restructuring, Obasanjo’s statement is expected to add more fuel to the discourse on Nigeria’s future and the need for national unity.