Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has emphasized that the fight against corruption must begin with accountability among top government officials. Speaking during a virtual interactive session titled “Boiling Point Arena,” hosted by a private radio station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo described corruption as a “hydra-headed” menace deeply entrenched in Nigerian society.
He argued that tackling corruption at the highest levels of leadership would set an example and demonstrate the government’s commitment to transparency. According to him, the fight against corruption must be consistent, daily, and beyond the tenure of any single regime to effectively curb its spread.
Addressing leadership, Obasanjo called for a shift in the recruitment and appointment of public officeholders, stressing the importance of merit over political or tribal considerations.
He noted that leadership ordained by God is more likely to succeed than self-made or “Satan-throned” leaders, cautioning against underestimating the influence of evil in leadership. Using the metaphor of a *babariga* (a flowing robe) to describe corruption, Obasanjo warned that the challenge requires continuous effort and vigilance to prevent it from undermining governance.
