In an open letter released on Sunday, January 1, 2023, the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo sent a crucial message to the national youth urging them to actions.
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has said the popular slogan ‘Emi lokan’—meaning “It's my turn” and promoted by presidential candidate Bola Tinubu of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC)—is a bad attitude for leadership in the country.
In his lengthy New Year's message, former President Olusegun Obasanjo also endorsed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party for 2023 elections. He said that the Labour party standard bearer had a definite edge over others.
Obasanjo's said;
“Let me say straight away that ‘Emi Lokan’ (My turn) and ‘I have paid my dues’ are one and the same thing and are wrong attitude and mentality for the leadership of Nigeria now.
“They cannot form the new pedestal to reinvent and to invest in a new Nigeria based on an All-Nigeria Government for the liberation and restoration of Nigeria.
"Such a government must have representation from all sectors of our national life – public, private, civil society, professional, labour, employers, and the diaspora.
“The solution should be in ‘we’ and ‘us’ and not in ‘me’ and ‘I’."
In his speech, Obasanjo urged the youths to come together and decide their future as the 2023 general election approaches.
“My dear young men and women, you must come together and bring about a truly meaningful change in your lives. If you fail, you have no one else to blame. Your present and future are in your hands to make or to mar.
"The future of Nigeria is in the same manner in your hands and literally so. If for any reason you fail to redeem yourself and your country, you will have lost the opportunity for good and you will have no one to blame but yourselves and posterity will not forgive you.
Get up, get together, get going and get us to where we should be. And you, the youth, it is your time and your turn. ‘Eyin Lokan’ (Your turn),” he stated.
