The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon in Oyo State, Oba Francis Alao, has called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo to cease portraying himself as a saint, urging the former leader to acknowledge his role in the challenges facing Nigeria.

The traditional ruler’s remarks come days after Obasanjo suggested that most Nigerian political leaders should be behind bars.

Obasanjo made the controversial statement on Friday, August 9, during a meeting in Abeokuta with six members of the House of Representatives, who are co-sponsors of bills proposing a single six-year term, the rotation of the presidency between the North and South, and the rotation of governorship slots among the senatorial districts of each state.

The former president expressed his concerns about the character of those in government, stating, “Our main problem is ourselves. Whether we adopt a single term of six years or two terms of four years, if we maintain the same mentality and approach, nothing will change.” He further argued that many current leaders should be in prison for their actions.

Responding on Monday, August 12, Oba Alao agreed with Obasanjo’s general assessment but criticized the former president for excluding himself from the group of corrupt leaders. “There is no way he can exclude himself,” Alao said, challenging Obasanjo to “submit himself for incarceration as a leader of this generation of the so-called corrupt people.”

The Olugbon pointed to Obasanjo’s tenure as Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007, highlighting the administration’s failure to resolve the country’s power supply issues despite spending billions of dollars. “So, excluding himself from those he described as corrupt leaders is nothing but grandstanding,” Alao added, accusing Obasanjo of being a part of the leadership that has driven Nigeria into its current state.

Alao also criticized Obasanjo for neglecting key infrastructure projects during his eight-year presidency, specifically mentioning the Lagos-Abeokuta and Lagos-Ibadan roads, which he described as “death traps” for motorists.