Obasanjo Reveals What Boko Haram Founders Told Him about Cause of Insurgency

• Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed what Boko Haram founders told him was the caused insurgency in the northeast
• The former Nigerian President said he was told by the founders that they were forced into terrorism due to poverty and unemployment
• Obasanjo warned that if nothing is done, the over 20 million out-of-school children might be the future Boko Haram members

Lagos state - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed what the founders of the Boko Haram terrorist group told him caused insurgency in the early days.

Obasanjo said Boko Haram founders in the North-East told him poverty and unemployment forced them into terrorism, The Punch reported.

The elder statesman said these while speaking at the launch of a book titled, ‘Pillars of Statecraft: Nation-building in a changing world’ authored by his daughter, Dr. Kofo Obasanjo-Blackshire, in Lagos.

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“During the early days of Boko Haram, when the man who started the movement was said to have been killed, I said I wanted to meet with the members of the group to talk to them and know what they wanted.

“I met with their representatives and found out that they needed nothing but a better life for themselves. Can we blame them for wanting a better life for themselves?

“They said they believed in Sharia Law. I told them that Sharia was not a problem in Nigeria. It is part of our constitution.”

Obasanjo, however, warned that the rising number of out-of-school children could be a breeding ground for future Boko Haram members.

He said:

“We have over 20 million out-of-school children. Google how many countries in the world have less than 20m. That doesn’t worry us? Are you thinking there will be no Boko Haram tomorrow?

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“Those are the foundations of your Boko Haram tomorrow. That should be our concern. We should not say it is externally induced. Is poverty also externally induced? Poverty is the conscious, unconscious choice of our leaders. If we say no; it would be no. If we say yes; it would be yes.”

Failed 3rd Term Bid: Obasanjo says governors wanted it, reveals their reason

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken again about the failed third-term agenda during his second term in office.

Recall that in 2006, a bill to amend the 1999 constitution and extend term limits failed to pass at the national assembly.

Obasanjo said some state governors were involved in the failed third-term agenda because they wanted it for themselves.

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Obasanjo disclosed this in a recent chat with media personality, Chude Jideonwo.

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Former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said the nation must consider both genders for the position of president if it wants to grow.

Obasanjo spoke on Thursday, June 8, at the 5th edition of the Egba Dialect Debate and Choral Competition for Secondary Schools in Ogun Central Senatorial District, in Abeokuta.

Source: Legit.ng