By Frontline Reporters
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday brushed aside rumours of his death, declaring emphatically that at 89, he remains strong and has no intention of “going anywhere anytime soon.”
Obasanjo condemned the circulation of a fake letter purportedly written by him announcing his own death, describing the act as the handiwork of “never-do-well” individuals bent on mischief.
“They publish and circulate a fake paper credited to me that I am writing, giving notice of my death. That is their wish and surely not God’s wish for me,” he said. “God has assured me that He has more for me to do on earth, and He has given me the wherewithal to do it. I dey kampe as usual.”
The elder statesman spoke in Abeokuta while delivering a colloquium titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World,” part of activities marking his 89th birthday. Born on March 6, 1937, Obasanjo said he had no doubt that God had preserved him for a purpose.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
Beyond dismissing death rumours, the former President used the platform to reflect on what he described as Africa’s enduring leadership crisis.
“Africa is not a problem to be managed but a promise to be fulfilled through honest, courageous, selfless, incorruptible and transformational leadership,” he declared.
He lamented that despite the continent’s vast natural endowments, much of Africa remains trapped in poverty, insecurity and preventable suffering. According to him, the fundamental problem is not geography or colonial history, but leadership failure.
“The primary cause is the failure of those entrusted with power to lead for the people and serve them rather than against them; to build institutions rather than subvert them; to welcome accountability rather than flee from it,” he said.
Obasanjo warned that many leaders begin with reformist zeal but eventually govern for personal, familial or political interests, weakening democratic institutions in the process.
The Burden of Command
Drawing from his personal journey, the former President spoke candidly about the weight of leadership decisions. He recalled commanding the Third Marine Commando Division during the final days of the Nigerian Civil War in January 1970, describing the moral dilemma of balancing military objectives with humanitarian concerns.
“No textbook told me what to do. No senior officer was going to make that call. It was mine alone,” he said, adding that restraint at a critical moment helped save civilian lives.
He also reflected on his presidency from 1999 to 2007, noting that Nigerians emerging from years of military rule expected immediate transformation.
“They did not elect a president; some thought they elected a miracle performer,” he said. “This is the burden: to be elevated by hope and measured by time, often simultaneously.”
Obasanjo further cited his imprisonment under the regime of the late Sani Abacha as a defining test of principle. He was detained for three and a half years and faced trial before what he described as a “kangaroo tribunal.”
“True leadership requires the willingness to hold a position when it is unpopular, to say no when yes would be more convenient,” he said.
Blessings and Legacy
Despite the burdens, Obasanjo highlighted what he called the blessings of leadership, including securing Paris Club debt relief for Nigeria and establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to combat corruption.
“The blessing of having done the right thing when doing the wrong thing would have been easier — that is the first blessing of leadership,” he said.
He urged young Africans to take democracy seriously and commit to accountable, transparent governance, warning that a continent that fails its youth plants seeds of instability for generations.
Closing on a personal note, Obasanjo reiterated that he remains strong and undeterred by rumours.
“Those who wish otherwise are going to be dealt with by God Himself,” he said firmly. “I dey kampe.”
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