A former President of Nigeria, OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, says the socioeconomic and political situations in the country have remained stagnant because of leadership deficit.

He spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as Special Guest of Honour at a Leadership Empowerment International Conference.

OBASANJO said for Nigeria to progress from its present dilemma, the present crops of those he labelled “self-centred leaders” occupying offices at all levels of governance must loosen their hold on the country.

According to him, the country is presently plagued at all levels by a band of self-centered leaders who are deficit of knowledge, bereft of understanding and demonstrating a leadership style that does not see service as the centerpiece for development.

He challenged Nigerians to seek, by all means possible, an end to the culture of enthroning transactional leaders as against transformational leaders who will deliver good governance.