Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo  has opened up on why he was put in prison during General Sanni Abacha’s regime.

According to him, he was put in prison because he criticized both international and local decisions.

Obansanjo made this revelation during an interactive session with 15 young male and female future African leaders at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The former President stated that in the past, African leaders were chosen from other continents. However because he wanted to stop that act, he resolved to standing for President in 1999.

Recalling how he was put in prison for deciding not to keep quiet, he said:

“Going into Prison is really a challenge because I refuse to keep quiet. For me, if there is anything to comment on, I did comment on them, and so, I landed in prison, and that is a challenge. And, when I came out from prison the situation was bad in the country that some people felt the need to be saved and pressure started coming.”