Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says consultation and inclusive leadership remain essential for strengthening democracy and addressing emerging national challenges.
Chief Obasanjo stated this in Abuja on Saturday at the public presentation of three books in honour of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), held as part of activities marking the retired general’s 84th birthday.
Reflecting on his years in public service, Chief Obasanjo cited the controversy surrounding the Land Use Act of 1978 as a lesson in leadership and consultation, recalling that the legislation faced widespread opposition from both Northern and Southern interests when it was introduced during his military administration.
He said the resistance prompted him to engage directly with community leaders across Oyo State to explain the policy and address public concerns, citing the experience as a testament to the value of consultation in leadership.
The former president dedicated the lesson to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, whom he described as one of four military leaders whose contributions were instrumental to the survival and evolution of modern Nigeria.
He identified former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, the late General Murtala Mohammed, the late Lt Col. Adekunle Fajuyi and Abdulsalami as military leaders whose actions helped shape the country’s history.
“When the Land Use Act was promulgated as a decree, a colleague came to me and said nobody liked it. The North didn’t like it, and the South didn’t like it,” he recalled.
Chief Obasanjo said the elder statesman advised him to engage directly with the stakeholders instead of relying on intermediaries.
“I left Lagos at about 2 a.m., got to Ibadan before dawn and visited villages to meet Agbekoya leaders in their homes. By about 8 a.m., I had visited more than a dozen villages explaining the policy to them,” he said.
The former president noted that the consultations succeeded in diffusing tensions and ensuring acceptance of the policy.
“That was how we were able to suppress the protest against the Land Use Decree, and that is why the Land Use Act has endured till today,” he said.
The former president also reflected on the influence of distinguished national figures, including the late Sultan of Sokoto, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, and elder statesman Chief Adebo, acknowledging that their guidance and statesmanship played a pivotal role in helping him navigate delicate policy matters and some of the most challenging periods of national leadership.
He also recalled that consultations with the Sultan of Sokoto were particularly helpful in resolving sensitive matters such as government support for pilgrimage to Mecca during the economic challenges of the late 1970s, as well as concerns over women’s participation in the electoral process in Northern Nigeria.
According to Obasanjo, those experiences underscored the enduring value of dialogue, consensus-building and inclusive leadership, reinforcing his belief that effective governance is best achieved through engagement, mutual understanding and broad-based consultation.
Chief Obasanjo commended General Yakubu Gowon with steering the country through the turbulent aftermath of the 1966 counter-coup and the civil war, a role he said was pivotal to preserving Nigeria’s unity and territorial integrity.
He also noted that the late General Murtala Mohammed reinvigorated the nation’s transition process and enhanced Nigeria’s profile on both the continental and global stage.
The former president further paid tribute to the late Lt.-Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, describing him as a symbol of rare courage, sacrifice and commitment to national unity.
Speaking on General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Obasanjo portrayed him as a distinguished statesman, patriot and consensus builder who successfully navigated Nigeria through one of the most delicate chapters in its political history following the death of General Sani Abacha in June 1998, laying the foundation for the country’s return to democratic rule.
“You sagaciously managed the seeming confusion and uncertainty that followed Abacha’s death. You emerged from the cloud and carefully proceeded to untangle the nation,” he said.
Chief Obasanjo recalled that one of Abdulsalami’s first major actions was the release of political prisoners, adding that the former military ruler also worked towards securing the release of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.
He disclosed that Abdulsalami kept him regularly informed of efforts to secure late Chief Abiola’s freedom and maintained communication with members of the late politician’s family.
According to him, arrangements were already underway for Abiola’s release before the unexpected death of the acclaimed winner of the annulled election.
“I remember you calling me on the telephone and saying, ‘Our man is dead.’ I asked, ‘Which man?’ and when you mentioned Abiola, I screamed,” Obasanjo recounted.
He commended Abdulsalami for the manner in which he managed the aftermath of Abiola’s death and for successfully steering the country back to democratic rule within less than a year of assuming office.
“Within less than one year of your taking office, we had democracy restored, and 27 years after that restoration, we still have democracy,” he said.
Chief Obasanjo also credited Abdulsalami with helping to sustain the democratic transition after handing over power in May 1999.
He revealed that the former Head of State maintained regular consultations with him after he became president, frequently presenting written observations and recommendations on national issues.
“Can I forget how regularly you came with a piece of paper containing all the points you wanted to discuss with me about what was going on, what should be done and how you saw things?” Obasanjo said.
“We sat down and looked at them one by one. I answered what could be answered immediately, and what could not be answered on the spot, I responded to within 24 hours.”
He described the practice as a remarkable demonstration of statesmanship and commitment to the success of the democratic project Abdulsalami initiated.
“That was a magnificent way of sustaining what you had initiated, and I cannot thank you enough,” he said.
He congratulated Abdulsalami on his 84th birthday and on the publication of his autobiography and two other books launched in his honour, describing them as important contributions to preserving Nigeria’s political history and educating future generations on the country’s democratic journey.
