Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has blasted the West African nation’s governors, saying they “live like emperors” while diverting public funds for personal gain, local newspaper Punch has reported.
Obasanjo was speaking at an inaugural conferenceat Ibadan University in Oyo State where he claimed that corruption took root in Nigeria after his administration, draining billions from the nation’s economy.
He said the country’s leaders were demanding sacrifices from Nigerians to finance their opulent lifestyles.
“Nigeria is a country where some governors have become sole administrators, acting like emperors. These governors have rendered public institutions irrelevant and useless,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying.
Reflecting on his time in office, Obasanjo said he recognised corruption as a major impediment, saying this prompted his decision to introduce the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Obasanjo’s criticism came just days after he wrote an open letter to the National Assembly leaders, calling them corrupt and lambasting their alleged extravagant wastage of public funds.
