Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has made a controversial statement, asserting that Satan is real and has the power to influence political leadership. Speaking during a Zoom session titled Boiling Point Arena on Sunday night, hosted by a radio station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo shared his views on leadership, religion, and spiritual influences on governance, sparking widespread debate across the country.
Obasanjo began by emphasizing that the most successful leaders are those who are “prepared by God.” He explained that such leaders, when chosen by divine will, have a higher chance of succeeding in their roles. “So I will say most leaders are prepared by God and put in place by God, and when that happens, the chances of success are higher than when you make yourself a leader, which may not be the act of God,” he remarked. His assertion echoed the belief that divine intervention plays a significant role in determining the effectiveness of political leadership.
However, the former president did not stop there. He went further to challenge the widely held notion that all leaders are made by God, suggesting that some leaders may instead be influenced by Satan. “A leader can also be made by Satan,” Obasanjo boldly stated. Drawing from the biblical story of Job, he explained how Satan once challenged Job’s integrity before God. “In the case of Job, you can remember Satan was going up and down and went before God and God was commending Job, but Satan said Job was upright to God because he had gotten from God,” he said.
The former president’s comments about Satan’s influence on leadership sent shockwaves through listeners. He urged Nigerians to accept that Satan is a real force with power, though one that is ultimately destined for destruction. “We must accept that Satan is real and he has power, he has no salvation but he has power, and the power of Satan must not be underrated,” Obasanjo emphasized. His words prompted listeners to reflect on the potential dangers of leaders who may be driven by forces other than divine guidance.
Obasanjo’s remarks were met with mixed reactions from the public. Some expressed skepticism and humorously criticized the political class, with one user commenting, “Some of these leaders are wearing devils Prada or coat, not suit.” This response seemed to reflect disillusionment with the country’s leadership and a belief that some politicians are not acting in the public’s best interest.
