Why I visited Nelson Mandela after I left prison – Obasanjo

• Obasanjo also underscored the importance of good leader, saying they are needed to tackle the plethora of problems that face Nigeria and Africa.

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has recounted his encounter with former South Africa president, Nelson Mandela, in the build up to Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Obasanjo disclosed that Mandela and renowned preacher, Desmond Tutu, were some of the people outside Nigeria he met upon his release from prison to seek their advice on if he should vie for the Nigerian presidency.

He made the disclosure while speaking at the Africa Methodist Council Heads of Conference Summit and Women’s Movement Leadership Summit, where he was the Chairman of the public lecture.

The lecture’s topic, presented by the General Secretary, World Methodist Council, Bishop Ivan Abrahams, was, ‘Leadership in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous World’.

Obasanjo was imprisoned by the then Nigerian military dictator, Sani Abacha, over alleged plot to overthrow his regime.

Obasanjo, however, regained his freedom after Abacha died in 1998 and went on to win the 1999 presidential election that ushered in the fourth republic.

Speaking on his meeting with Mandela and Tutu, the former president said the duo urged him to contest for the presidency if Nigerians wanted him.

He also noted that they advised him to contest the presidency for the second time.

Obasanjo underscored the importance of good leader, saying they are needed to tackle the plethora of problems that face Nigeria and Africa.

He said, “When I came out of prison, and there was pressure mounting on me to take the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, the only place I went outside Nigeria was South Africa. I went to seek advice from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

“Nelson said, ‘Olu, whatever your instinct tells you, do it.’ Tutu said, ‘If your people want you to serve, serve and stop making excuses’.

“I came back home and decided to make myself available and contest for the presidency of Nigeria.

“I found out that the years I spent in prison were advantageous to me in serving as president when I was elected.

“We can get good out of bad. That also happened to Nelson Mandela.

“When we get good leaders, let’s make maximum use of them because good leaders don’t flog. When you get one in a generation, make good use of them. Let’s learn the right lesson from them.

“We cannot make the world less volatile, simple or unambiguous unless we have the right type of leaders. We are talking about leaders that take examples of Jesus Christ and become like him.”