Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo says leaders must ensure the 2023 birth emergence of a new federation in Nigeria otherwise the country may be "sliding into ground dissolution."

Obasanjo who bemoaned insecurity challenges insisted that 2023 must mark a watershed for Nigeria.

He spoke at his Penthouse residence within Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while playing host to members of Tiv professionals Group (TPG) led by Prof Zacharys Anger Gundu.

Obasanjo said he does not believe in payment of ransom to kidnappers and banditry as it encouraged criminals indulging in the act.

He specifically noted that President Muhammadu Buhari's government and that of his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan had paid ransom to kidnappers and bandits, but denied it.

He, however, submitted that the government must develop means to deal with kidnappers and bandits heavily in place of ransom payment.

The former President equally insisted that it requires a "carrot and stick" approach to fight insecurity challenges to a standstill.