Former Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed why African continent is recording too many coup d’état on African continent and why youth are in support. Obasanjo said, the too many coups on the African continent are a testimony that the youth are in search of a liberators.
The former Nigerian leader made this assertion in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state during an interactive session with some group of youth from Africa for Africa Youth Initiative (A4A), a platform formed by the General overseer of the Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Although, Obasanjo said he was not a supporter of coup because of his experience he had during the Abacha regime government in Nigeria, but has caution African leaders to desist from policies that encourages coup.
Citing example with the recent coup that happened in Africa especially that of the Gabon, the former Nigerian leader said the youth were excited about the change of government because they are in search of a liberator.
In the last three years, African continent has witnessed about seven coups that led to the change of government in Africa the most recent be that of the Gabon Republic.
In his opinion, Obasanjo said, “if we don’t have the conditions that encourage them (coups), they may not happen,” stating that “we should make sure that we do everything to prevent coups from happening.”
He noted that the youth particularly, “support most of these coups, the one in Gabon, the Coup Leader, was being carried on the shoulder by the youths, not by old wretched men and women like me.
Obasanjo concluded that “So, the youth are looking for liberators, and we must bear that in mind. Why do we have to allow the youth to start looking for liberators beyond the government of the day? Why?”
He called on the African leaders to entrench the democratic principle with God given attributes as one way of discouraging coup in reach respective country.
He added, “And if you have been in government for 40 years and you are not tired, maybe you need retirement.”