Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has asserted that some current government officials should be in prison for their past misconduct and criminal behavior. Obasanjo made this statement on Thursday during a virtual address at the Denis Joseph Slattery memorial lecture in Lagos.

He emphasized that individuals with “questionable” integrity cannot make decisions that will benefit Nigerians. In his speech, titled “The Imperative for Moral Rectitude in Governance,” Obasanjo stressed that accountability is the most critical requirement for anyone involved in governance.

He stated, “If you closely examine those in government today, both at the executive and legislative levels, some should be permanently behind bars for their past misdemeanors and criminal actions. You cannot expect thieves to make just decisions in favor of the rightful owner.”