Why Nigeria Needs More ‘Rebels’ – Obasanjo

Nigeria needs more ‘rebels’ who are ready to damn the consequences and speak the truth to power, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said.

He stated this while speaking during the unveiling of the autobiography of the Babanla Adinni of Egbaland, Chief Tayo Sowunmi, in Abeokuta, ‘Footprints Of A Rebel’, to commemorate his 80th birthday on Saturday.

The former Nigerian leader noted that speaking truth to power is one of the greatest steps towards rebuilding the nation.

Obasanjo stated that whoever wants to live a life of honesty and integrity must be rebels ready to stand and speak the truth always.

“Looking at the title of the book, I ask myself, why would someone call himself a rebel. But it is good,” he said.

“But the truth is that if you have to leave a life of honesty and integrity, you have to become a rebel. There would be some time you would be asked to do something, but you would say no, this is not right. And when you say that, you will become a rebel. You may even become a persona non grata.

“This is our country, there is no country that we can call our own except Nigeria. Our country, Nigeria, needs more of rebels. Those who would look at things straight in the face and say this is not right; this, I will not be part of; this is not good for Nigeria.”