Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has cautioned political leaders in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, against holding on to power at all costs, warning that such tendencies weaken governance and betray public trust.

Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Obasanjo stressed that the best leadership comes from those who are young, vibrant, and dynamic.

“The best leadership comes when you are young, vibrant, and dynamic. When you are weak and frail, you cannot give your best. When you are ‘kuje kuje’, you don’t have the best,” the former president said.

He criticised politicians who believe that governance cannot thrive without them, citing President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as examples.

“Some believe that unless they are in power, no one else can govern. That, I believe, is a sin against God, because once you are gone, someone else will step in — and they may perform better or worse,” Obasanjo added.

His comments have reignited national debate on the role of age in leadership, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In past elections, rotation and religion were dominant factors in political calculations. However, the experience of Nigerians under late President Muhammadu Buhari, whose frequent hospital visits and delayed government responses earned him the nickname “Baba Go Slow,” has pushed age into the spotlight.

By 2027, President Tinubu will be 75 years old, while Atiku Abubakar will be 81.