Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has
disclosed that he turned down a recommendation to make former Kaduna State
Governor Nasir El-Rufai his successor, saying the ex-minister needed
more time to “mature.”
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at an event
on leadership, Obasanjo said the suggestion came from former Aviation
Minister Osita Chidoka, who at the time was 34 and serving as Corps Marshal
of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
“Let him tell you,” Obasanjo quipped, referring to
Chidoka. “He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend,
El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor. I did not yield to the pressure
because El-Rufai needed to mature.”
According to Obasanjo, years later Chidoka admitted
that the former president’s judgment was right after observing El-Rufai’s later
performances in public office.
Obasanjo praised both men and other young leaders of
his administration for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to
the success of his government.
Speaking on the theme “Importance of Leadership in
Governance,” Obasanjo emphasized the need for character, exposure,
experience, and training as key qualities of leadership, lamenting the lack
of structured leadership training in Nigerian politics.
Delivering the keynote address, Chidoka argued
that Nigeria’s governance problems stem from the “politics of alibi” and weak
systems rather than a lack of ideas.
“Leadership finds its true measure not in charisma but in the systems it leaves
behind,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Senator Shuaibu
Salis, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, the Olota
of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, and former Ogun First Lady Olufunsho
Amosun.
Comments:
Leave a Reply