Obasanjo has called on African leaders with a sit-tight mentality to have a change of heart, adding that democracy that works for everyone should be encouraged.

“And if you have been in government for 40 years and you are not tired, maybe you need retirement,” he said.

He added that “One, let me make it clear, I don’t support coup because personally I have been a victim of coup. Two, the good thing about democracy, if it works and it delivers, is that you can sit down and dialogue and debate and discuss. But your democracy must take integrity along with it.

“Your democracy must take honesty along with it. Your democracy must take character along with it. Your democracy must take those attributes, God-given attributes, inclusive society, no marginalization, no exclusion, no favoritism.”

Obasanjo also called on African youths to wake up and take leadership positions because the tomorrow they are waiting for may never come.