Obasanjo acknowledged that Nigeria is currently faced with national calamities which he prayed should disappear with the coming of a new government.
Obasanjo acknowledged the teeming population of the youths, believing that they have the capacity to rescue the country. He believes it’s their turn and no other person’s turn. He said if they fail, they cannot blame anyone else.
Obasanjo believes that Nigeria today is worse than he met it in 1999, hence Nigerians, especially the youths must choose a leader that has all it takes to revive the country. They shouldn’t be gullible, else they regret it. A different instrument is now needed to rescue the country.
Obj identified four major factors to watch out for in a leader to be supported in the coming election and they are what he called TVCP: Track record of ability and performance; Vision that is authentic, honest and realistic; Character and attributes of a lady and a gentleman who are children of God and obedient to God; and Physical and mental capability with the soundness.
He said that ‘Emi Lokan’ (My turn) and ‘I have paid my dues’ are one and the same thing and are wrong attitudes and mentality for the leadership of Nigeria now. He said the solution should be in ‘we’ and ‘us’ and not in ‘me’ and ‘I’.
Obj believes everybody is entitled to lead the country so long as the person has the requisite competence and the ability to sail the ship, hence ethnicity or tribal sentiments should not be used to deprive Nigerians of good leadership. According to him, there are only two tribes of people in Nigeria. A tribe of good people and a tribe of bad people.
He called for the retirement of old politicians who have failed Nigerians. He acknowledged that they have tried their best, but it was not good enough to rescue the country. He stressed on age and said that modern politics needs energetic people to drive. He said he was speaking from personal experience. He said a septuagenarian cannot lead at this point.
He warned that the incident of the civil war should be left in the past, so Nigeria can make meaningful progress.
He endorsed Peter Obi, saying that Obi as a mentee has an edge over the other contestants, not really because he is a saint. He said Obi is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost. Obi also has young and able running mate with a clean track record of achievement both in public and private life. Obi’s understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality stand him out.
Obj said in faith as Nigerians, the people must pray and relate with God as it depends on Him and at the same time, in faith also they must work as it depends on the people. It is with such that victory will come.