Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has stressed that the fight against corruption in Nigeria must be ongoing and consistent if it is to succeed. Speaking during an online discussion on Sunday night, Obasanjo stated that the battle against corruption should begin with strong leadership.

Obasanjo expressed concern about the deep-rooted corruption in Nigerian society and criticized the government for contributing to the widespread poverty in the country.

He said “Corruption is very hydra-headed and eats deep. I think it was the Sultan of Sokoto, the father of the present Sultan, who said corruption is like a babanriga, if you are folding it on one side, it’s falling apart on the other side. When you carry it on both sides, you cannot hold your hands up and as soon as you put your hands down, it’s falling apart. And that’s corruption.

“It’s not a one-day affair. It’s not a one-regime affair. It’s not even a two-regime affair. It has to be consistent. It has to be continual. It has to be a daily affair. Once one regime is let off, it spreads.”

He also discussed the importance of leadership, saying that self-made leaders or those chosen for the wrong reasons are likely to fail. According to him, true leaders are those chosen by God, and only they can succeed in bringing about positive change.