Speaking at an event, Obaseki stated that the purpose of politics is not to amass personal wealth or benefit a few close associates but to improve the lives of citizens.
He noted that leaders who enrich themselves and their allies after assuming office have failed both God and the people they were elected to serve.
Describing power as a divine trust, Obaseki said it must be exercised in service to humanity and to glorify God. “If you are in politics to get power, and you get it just for yourself, your friends, and close associates, then God will punish you,” he said.
He added, “If God has given you power and you cannot use it to glorify Him, then I don’t see how you will use it properly.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Obaseki said he has no regrets about his time in office and would approach governance the same way if given another opportunity. “What would I do differently? Nothing. I would do it the same way—actually, even faster and more efficiently,” he said.
On his administration’s policies, he expressed a wish that certain reforms, particularly in education, had started earlier so their effects would have been more noticeable by the end of his tenure.
Obaseki also explained that his support for a successor was deliberate, aimed at ensuring the continuity of policies and reforms. “We fought to bring someone I know will continue. Everything I did was planned for the benefit of the people, not for me,” he said.
He warned that attempts to dismantle programs introduced during his administration would harm ordinary citizens rather than former leaders.
“When I see people trying to undo our work, I think: you should add to what you inherited, not destroy it,” he said. “Closing hospitals or removing health insurance doesn’t hurt me—it might affect your brother or sister tomorrow who may need that care. How can someone gain power and feel content while people are suffering and hungry? God gave you power for a purpose, and ignoring that purpose is unacceptable.”
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