Ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo spoke as the special guest of honour at the Wilson Badejo Foundation’s 15th annual lecture held in Lagos on Wednesday, 10th of August, 2022.
The politician has said there is a need to medically examine anyone who says the country is doing well at the moment.
Obasanjo, a former Head of State, stressed that Nigerians must think hard about who to elect during the 2023 election.
According to him, the electorates have to vote for the right candidate next year because the progress of the country is at stake.
Obasanjo recalled how late Ahmed Joda, a friend of his, told him that God had already blessed Nigeria with everything it needs, hence there is no need for endless prayers.
He, however, said that he explained the importance of prayers to Joda, noting that whether things are good or bad, we all need prayers.
In his words; “Nigeria is not where it is supposed to be today. If anyone says it is okay where we are at the moment, then the person’s head needs to be examined.
It is either we make the right choice in 2023 because if we make the right choice, we would get there.
“However, if we do not make the right choice in 2023, things would consume us and we pray against that one. We must make the right choice in 2023.
“My friend, late Ahmed Joda, used to tell me that God has given us everything a nation needs and there’s no need for prayers because if God has given you everything and you squandered it, then something is wrong.
“I told him that even at that, we still need prayers as a nation because what is good needs prayers and on the other side too, we still need more prayers.”
Meanwhile in May 2022, Obasanjo had made a similar comment when he said Nigeria needs a leader who is passionate about the country.
He noted that said the situation of the country was “agonising” for him and other Nigerians.
He added that Nigerians have the power to be make the country better no matter how bad Nigeria’s situation gets.
