Obasanjo at 89: ‘God Told Me I Won’t Die Soon’, Slams Fake Death Wish

Abeokuta, March 5, 2026 – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday dismissed viral rumours of his impending death as the handiwork of “never-do-wells,” boldly declaring that God has assured him of more earthly work ahead.

Speaking at a colloquium titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership” in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as part of his 89th birthday celebrations, Obasanjo vowed: “I dey kampe as usual.” The event, organised by his son Dr. Olumide Obasanjo, drew dignitaries including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and other regional leaders.

Fake ‘Last Wish’ Rubbished

Obasanjo took a direct swipe at a fabricated document circulating online, falsely attributed to him as a “last wish” announcing his death. “That is their wish and surely not God’s wish for me,” he thundered. “God has assured me that He has more for me to do on earth, and He has given me the wherewithal to do it. Those who wish otherwise will be dealt with by God Himself.”

The former president, who turns 89 today, used the platform to reflect on his storied career, from commanding the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War to his two-term presidency (1999-2007).

Africa’s Leadership Deficit

Obasanjo decried Africa’s underdevelopment, insisting the continent is “not a problem to be managed but a promise to be fulfilled” through honest, selfless leadership. Despite vast natural endowments, he lamented, much of Africa grapples with “preventable disease, starvation, conflict, insecurity, and poverty.”

He pinned the blame on leaders who subvert institutions, flee accountability, and prioritise personal interests. “The same young reformer who promised accountability begins to silence the press, harass the judiciary, and intimidate civil society,” Obasanjo said, in an apparent critique of recurring post-independence patterns.

Investing in youth is key, he stressed: “A continent that fails its youth does not merely waste a generation; it plants the seeds of instability.” He revealed mentoring 12 sitting African presidents, underscoring his call to form leaders with integrity.

The Loneliness of Power

Drawing from personal experience, Obasanjo described leadership’s isolating weight: “The loneliness of final decision… that weight settles on one pair of shoulders – the leader’s shoulders.”

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He recounted a pivotal 1970 moment before the Civil War’s end, when as commander, he chose not to shell Owerri, sparing hundreds of thousands of starving Igbo civilians despite military pressures. “No textbook told me what to do. It was mine alone,” he said, crediting the decision with saving lives.

As president, expectations were sky-high: Nigerians sought a “miracle performer” after military rule. When reforms took time, murmurs grew. True leadership, he added, demands unpopular stands – a lesson from his 3½ years in Abacha’s prison, facing a sham trial and near-execution.

Leadership’s Rewards

Yet, Obasanjo highlighted the blessings: “The opportunity for moral self-definition… the blessing of having done the right thing when doing the wrong thing would have been easier.”

The colloquium, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, featured discussions on power’s dual edges, with Obasanjo quoting his famous line: “True leadership requires the willingness to hold a position when it is unpopular.”

Governor Abiodun praised Obasanjo’s enduring influence, while guests celebrated his resilience. As Obasanjo marks 89, his message resonates amid Nigeria’s ongoing governance debates.