NewStats: 3,265,440 , 8,186,755 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 12:22 AM 3gm5d

"I am a strong believer of one Nigeria, but not one Nigeria at any cost, but one Nigeria where every Nigerian can feel proud that he or she has a stake in this country."

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday said although Nigerians would fare better staying together than breaking up, the nation’s unity should not be at ‘any cost’.

“I am a strong believer of one Nigeria, but not one Nigeria at any cost, but one Nigeria where every Nigerian can feel proud that he or she has a stake in this country,” the retired general, who fought during the nation’s civil war, said

Mr Obasanjo, who said he believed in one, indivisible Nigeria, stated this in Abeokuta at his investiture as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyor (NIS) organised by the Ogun chapter of the Body of Fellows of the NIS.

Call To Agitators
The former president called on agitators for the disintegration of the country to shelve the idea and work for the oneness of the country.
According to him, ”it is better for Nigeria to remain as one indivisible nation than for each tribe to go its separate way”.
Mr Obasanjo, who acknowledged that Nigeria is ing through challenges, insisted that “disintegration is not the solution”.

According to him, ”any Nigerian who does not feel concerned about the challenges of the country is a human being without being human”.

“It is better that Nigeria stays together and find solutions to its challenges than for each tribe to go its separate way,” said Mr Obasanjo said.

“I am a strong believer of one Nigeria, but not one Nigeria at any cost, but one Nigeria where every Nigerian can feel proud that he or she has a stake in this country.

“Those of us who have shed part of our blood and sweat for this country, we did so because we wanted a country where every Nigerian can claim as his or her own.

“I believe that if we talk among ourselves the way we should and if we change the narrative, I believe this is a great country.

“The fact that we are not making Nigeria what God wants it to be is not the fault of God, but our fault, particularly the leaders.”
In the midst of the precarious multi-dimensional security and economic challenges facing Nigeria today, regional groups have been calling for the breakup of the nation as presently constituted.

‘Not The Solution’
But Mr Obasanjo, who noted that Nigeria’s diversity remained a major source of its strength, explained that disintegration would result in “weak republics”.

“One thing that gives us strength is our diversity. If all that we have is Republic of Oduduwa for those who say so, of that country will be diminished compared to being a citizen of Nigeria.

“Citizens of Oduduwa Republic or any other republic borne out of Nigeria will be diminished compared to being citizens of Nigeria.

“In this age and time that we are talking about the reintegration of Africa for economic development, disintegration of any country will be almost idiotic,” he said.

The former president wondered what would become of the over 300 minorities in Nigeria if the three major tribes went their separate ways.

“If we have Igboland as an independent country, Yorubaland, an independent country, and Fulani/Hausaland an independent country, where will the Jukuns or the Gbasama belong?

“The only reason they can raise up their heads is because they belong to Nigeria.

“Are we thinking of them or are we are just being selfish? We should note that. It doesn’t matter what we do, we will still be neighbours.

“We had seen it before, India was broken into India and Pakistan, they are still at war till today. “Yugoslavia was broken into different countries, they haven’t sorted it till today.
“Sudan was broken into Sudan and South Sudan, I don’t believe South Sudan is better for it and that is the truth,” he said.

The former president, who described Nigeria’s challenges as correctable and surmountable, counselled that it would cost less for Nigerians to work together for the unity of the country than to break up and be perpetually in war against each other.

“When that happens, we will be spending our money on building armies.

“I know what is involved in building and maintaining an army which may not necessarily be productive, let us think about it,” he said.

Mr Obasanjo, who stressed the importance of surveyors, said the entire country should be surveyed in order to achieve economic development and transformation.

He, therefore, charged the body of surveyors to draft a proposal for the national survey of the country and present to the Federal Government.

“When I was the president of the country, the project of surveying the entire country began, but it got stuck and I don’t know where the project is now,” he said.

Meanwhile, in his address, Ademola Adewale, the chairman of the Ogun chapter of NIS disclosed that his had concluded plans to produce a unique digital map of the state.

“This will make us to become self-sufficient in geospatial information and will affect all sectors positively and thereby increase the state internally generated revenue (IGR) geometrically,” he said

https://www.timesng.com/news/top-news/466801-one-united-nigeria-should-not-be-at-any-cost-obasanjo.html

I disagree with you sir on the issue surrounding already disintegrated Nations that are not doing better, currently, Nigeria happen to be the only country in the world that is being govern with lies from its leaders just like what you posted above,
Nigeria is not 1, and we can never be , this is the hard truth we need to say to ourself.
And more also, South Sudan is far more better than Nigeria of today.

Na so. But you install this monument of failure called bihari

The actions and inactions of the leaders are the primary cause of the agitation. If we have a true leader in this country piloting the affairs of the country the agitation will reduce if not stopped completely.

We are not one but only living together as one. Personally I don't know why Nigerians interprete call for secession as call for war.

I disagree with you sir on countries that disintegrated, south Sudan has challenges which was expected as a new nation cos the old Sudan is funding insurrection and they're now getting things right. In the next 20-50 years we will see how far with them
Singapore also seceeded from Malaysia and is doing well.
Cambodia also seceeded from Vietnam and is not doing badly.
Austria and Hungary
Czech and Slovakia
Panama and Colombia
Uruguay and Brazil
Eritrea and Ethiopia
Any country that can't guarantee the security and welfare of its citizens has no reason to exist.

Nigeria is a country with various and diverse interests, while some are interested in advancement in research,science and technology others are more interested in advancement in religion and pleasing God.

Personally as somebody from the south East,I want a country that works be it Nigeria, Biafra or even having a foreign country to come and colonise us.

Things must work for the citizens to be happy

Baba Iyabo, it was that Mannique that tore this country apart.

If Nigerians after 50 years refused to work together as one, then it is expected to try out other options (disintegration)

Funny man! Every single political problem we have in this country today has your imprints on it. This country would have been better if you were not born... 1966, after the coup, Nzeogwu sent you to Lagos to negotiate with Ironsi, you went there and feathered your own nest, inviting Nzeogwu over for a peace deal with Ironsi. Dude was arrested at the airport on arrival. 1975, you knew how blood thirsty Murtala Mohammed was but still organized a coup with him because those of you in the Army that saw yourselves as "the field commanders" during the war, wanted to take charge from your Ogas! Murtala came in and destroyed the Civil Service with his ubiquitous "fight against corruption", then started the mindless desecration of the country with whimsical state creations done without recourse to either ethnic or cultural affinities amongst constituent units. Nigeria has never recovered from this!

You then took over in 1976 and started off by basically eliminating most middle belt officers with trumped up charges! Backdating decrees and summarily executing convicts tried by prejudiced tribunals. That's how the army was handed over to the fulanis. You sealed that off by forcing half baked Shagari on us as the president just to thank the far north for making you president! They will make you a president again in 1999 since you are the only one they can trust with power in the whole of Western Nigeria and again, you handed power back to another fuulani as if they are the only ethnic group in Northern Nigeria! Again, you will resurrect Buhari from the dead and foist him on Nigeria, yet again as the president! That's 3 fulanis you made presidents in one lifetime! You can see how your fulani experiment is working out in paces like Agatu, Iganga and Benin Republic IDP camps! In between all these, you became one of the richest people on earth! Killed thousands in Odi and levelled Zaki Biam! How can such a character be allowed to pontificate on Nigerias problems?

OBASANJO SAID:

‘Not The Solution’
But Mr Obasanjo, who noted that Nigeria’s diversity remained a major source of its strength, explained that disintegration would result in “weak republics”.

“One thing that gives us strength is our diversity. If all that we have is Republic of Oduduwa for those who say so, of that country will be diminished compared to being a citizen of Nigeria.

“Citizens of Oduduwa Republic or any other republic borne out of Nigeria will be diminished compared to being citizens of Nigeria.

“In this age and time that we are talking about the reintegration of Africa for economic development, disintegration of any country will be almost idiotic,” he said.

The former president wondered what would become of the over 300 minorities in Nigeria if the three major tribes went their separate ways.

“If we have Igboland as an independent country, Yorubaland, an independent country, and Fulani/Hausaland an independent country, where will the Jukuns or the Gbasama belong?

“The only reason they can raise up their heads is because they belong to Nigeria.

“Are we thinking of them or are we are just being selfish? We should note that. It doesn’t matter what we do, we will still be neighbours.

“We had seen it before, India was broken into India and Pakistan, they are still at war till today. “Yugoslavia was broken into different countries, they haven’t sorted it till today.
“Sudan was broken into Sudan and South Sudan, I don’t believe South Sudan is better for it and that is the truth,” he said.

Exact same thing I've been saying on this forum for months. You break up Nigeria, you diminish yourselves into little weak republics like Sierra Leone, with zero guarantee of prosperity.

God bless OBASANJO.

And meanwhile The NASS AND OUR 36 CONSTITUTIONAL STATES should apply SECTION 9 of the DECREE 24 we call the 1999 CONSTITUTION

TO SCRAP THE EXCLUSIVE LIST OF THE SO CALLED 1999 CONSTITUTION AND

LIMIT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MILITARY, ON EQUALITY OF STATES BASIS, AND TREATIES SEALING ONLY.

THAT WAY, OUR 36 CONSTITUTIONAL STATES WILL PRACTISE FULL AUTONOMY OF POLICE RESOURCES AND ELECTIONS SELF CONTROL

AND CAN TLY CONTRIBUTE UNIFORMLY TO RUNNING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA TOO.

We are no longer interested, I feel so bad every day I see myself as a Nigerian, we don't want to be part of Nigeria again

No.

NIGERIA should unite DEMOCRATICALLY AND NOT BY THE DOMINATION OF ONE TRIBE OR MILITARY AT THE TOP

THE EXCLUSIVE LIST OF THE 1999 DECREE 24 SHOULD BE SCRAPPED AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES LIMITED TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MILITARY ON EQUALITY OF STATES BASIS AND TREATIES SEALING ONLY.

No.

OBASANJO IS CORRECT IN ALL HIS CITATIONS

NIGERIA should unite DEMOCRATICALLY AND NOT BY THE DOMINATION OF ONE TRIBE OR MILITARY AT THE TOP

THE EXCLUSIVE LIST OF THE 1999 DECREE 24 SHOULD BE SCRAPPED AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES LIMITED TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MILITARY ON EQUALITY OF STATES BASIS AND TREATIES SEALING ONLY.

Yobabad:
We are no longer interested, I feel so bad every day I see myself as a Nigerian, we don't want to be part of Nigeria again

THEN MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

NIGERIA WILL NOT SPLIT UP JUST BECAUSE TRAITORS LIKE YOU EXIST.

Rissimenky:
OBASANJO SAID:



Exact same thing I've been saying on this forum for months. You break up Nigeria, you diminish yourselves into little weak republics like Sierra Leone, with zero guarantee of prosperity.

Little weak republics with zero guarantee of prosperity like Singapore, Qatar, Norway, Denmark and Sweden? These countries standards of living are a thousand times bigger than that of Nigerias and yet their population can all fit into Western Nigeria if combined! Sometimes, you may need to tone down on your fake patriotism on this board, especially on Thursday mornings...

This statement is a precursor. Obj I know will back disintegration soon. He is only struggling to accept it.

GorillaApp:
Na so. But you install this monument of failure called bihari

AND OBASANJO IS THE FIRST TO TELL NIGERIA OF BUHARI'S MONUMENTAL MISDIRECTION TO RIFA-RUGA ISLAMISATION FULANISATION AND ANARCHY.

This Obj is the number one problem of Nigeria as he helped enthroned this present catastrophe called Buhari.He knew Buhari was a failure but he reinforced him on a country of 200million people. Hence he is one of the main reasons Nigeria must divide because it's people like him are the source of this country's problem

It is evident that the only agenda of Gen.Muhammadu Buhari as President of Nigeria is to conquer all other ethnic groups by fully Fulanize and Islamize the country. When it comes to stupidity, Buhari can be likened to an unhinged drunkard at the bar regaling patrons with his stupidity. For six years, we have been abused and at the same time amused by the deeply idiotic episodes of Buhari in Nigeria’s most stupid era.

Humans are fond of doing stupid things. Stupidity is more accepting in individual’s life. But we must rebuff & rebel stupidity in a national leadership. There are two sides of history- the right side and the stupid side. A president can choose to be on a right side or on a stupid side. There is a mad rush for some presidents to be on a stupid side.

Few examples of Buhari’s impossibly stupidity will suffice. How profoundly stupid can Buhari be when for six years he has been jetting out to Britain for medical treatment and didn’t deem it wise to use the power and resources of his office to build first class hospitals in all the 36 states.

With the prevailing state of anarchy in the country, Buhari doesn’t see it fit and right to address the nation even for once. On rare occasions when he addressed Nigerians, we had to plead and beg. Buhari is building railway to Niger while such has not been extended to the 36 states. He said he’ll lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years. The same Buhari failed to fulfill his campaign promise of creating two million jobs every two years.

He said Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable.But he zealously pursue policies & programs that fragments and disunites Nigeria: nepotism, corruption, divisive politics, filled all federal civil service jobs and posts in federal agencies with his Fulani kinsmen.

He proscribed IPOB freedom fighters as a terrorist organization. On the other hand, he appoints terrorist Isa Pantami as minister and staunchly stands behind Pantami and his terrorist declarations.

Buhari desperately hunts for Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho Oosa who is fighting to save Yorubas from Fulani herdsmen terrorists. At the same time, he shields Miyetti Allah terrorists, the Gumis and other northern terrorist groups. I can go on, and on, and on.

Buhari’s regime has been one disaster after another. These fiascos can be ascribed directly to Buhari’s lack of intellectual horsepower. Buhari has given no indication he possesses mental capacity, wisdom, and leadership skills to be president. When the story of Buhari’s reign of terror is told many years from now, students and history enthusiasts will learn about Buhari’s terrorism, nepotism, lies, corruption, and self-enrichment.

War drums from Buhari and Fulani invaders are becoming louder and louder every day. Nigeria’s break up is certain. Separation is the only way out!

Armaggedon:
This statement is a precursor. Obj I know will back disintegration soon. He is only struggling to accept it.

You said it well sir.

HE LAUGHED NO VICTOR NO VANQUISHED AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

HE LAUNCHED NO VICTOR NO VANQUISHED AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

Yes, you are right. SATAN brought in BUHARINOMICS AND RIFA-RUGA ISLAMISATION FULANISATION AND ANARCHY.

Rissimenky:


ILLITERATE, SHUT UP.

Take a trip to South Sudan and see what is there.

You couldn't spend 2 days in South Sudan. Guaranteed.

Their capital city and ONLY city, Juba, is less developed than Umuahia.

DUMBOS FULL OF SELF HATE TYPING RUBBISH

Just shut up when Obasanjo is talking.

Your job is to listen, not add your little dash of dumb ignorance.

Say what you know , I have worked briefly in Juba, in an oil company, Juba is developing at a very fast rate. At independence Juba has no single tarred road not to talk of multi storey buildings, GSM or night club.but today Juba has changed.

Rissimenky:


THEN MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

NIGERIA WILL NOT SPLIT UP JUST BECAUSE TRAITORS LIKE YOU EXIST.

is it by force to be a Nigerian?
Can't you people understand that we can't be one......

SECESSION IS NOT SUPERIOR TO FULL AUTHORITY TO CONTROL YOURSELF SOCIALLY ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY.

ONCE THE 36 CONSTITUTIONAL STATES HAVE FULL AUTONOMOUS POLICING, RESOURCING AND ELECTIONEERING CONTROL FOR THEMSELVES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LIMITED IN HIS VAUNTED PRIDE TO CONTROL ALL, DEMOCRACY IS ASSURED AND EVERY NIGERIA IS FREE TO MOVE FROM ONITSHA TO SOKOTO AND TO PANTEKA AND ZANGO.

They don't want restructuring, yet they're insisting that there must be no talk about secession. People want justice and fairness but you're hell bent on perpetuating lopsidedness and injustice unfairly favouring the North which is Nigeria's least productive and least enlightened region.

Nigeria's current Fulani leadership is beyond deluded. He who makes peaceful change impossible, makes violent change inevitable.

No. You are wrong. DECREE 24 IS ILLEGAL BUT BABA IYABO RAN IT TO THE IRATION OF NIGERIA AND THE WORLD.

The fact is that there is no one Nigeria and there can never be