CurrentReport Blog A coalition of civil society organizations has strongly criticized former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent call to overhaul the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obasanjo, during a lecture at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, described the 2023 general elections as a travesty and accused INEC of compromising the BVAS technology. However, the coalition, which includes Transparency Network, Public Interest Initiative, Nigerian Justice League Initiative, and the Foundation for True Democratic Governance and Freedom, has dismissed his remarks as hypocritical.
Coalition Condemns Obasanjo’s Record on Elections
In a statement on Monday, the coalition’s spokesman, Dr. Danladi Ceceko, argued that Obasanjo lacks the moral authority to critique INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, given his own controversial history with elections during his presidency.
“It appears that Obasanjo believes Nigerians have forgotten the elections of 2003 and 2007, where candidates from his party were declared winners despite allegations of widespread irregularities,” Ceceko stated.
The coalition pointed to the 2007 presidential election, where the declared winner, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, admitted during his inauguration that the election was marred by corruption and irregularities.
“Father of Do-or-Die Politics”
The coalition labeled Obasanjo the “Father of do-or-die politics” in Nigeria, citing his infamous statement that “even Jesus Christ can’t conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria.” They also referred to his alleged manipulation of electoral outcomes in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly in the Southwest, except for Lagos State, which resisted due to Bola Tinubu’s political influence.
Allegations of State Capture and Corruption
The group accused Obasanjo of undermining democracy through actions such as:
- Attempting to bribe lawmakers to secure a third term in office.
- Orchestrating the impeachment of governors with minimal legislative support.
- Seeking to arrest a sitting governor, Chris Ngige of Anambra State.
- Institutionalizing corruption in Nigeria’s electoral system by announcing election results while voters were still casting ballots.
“Nigerians are well aware of Obasanjo’s history and will not be swayed by his antics,” the coalition stated.
Defense of INEC and Mahmood Yakubu
The coalition praised INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu for his efforts to reform Nigeria’s electoral process. They highlighted key achievements under his leadership, including:
- The integration of technology like BVAS into election management.
- The establishment of user-friendly portals for candidate nominations and party submissions.
- Accreditation of both domestic and international observers to enhance transparency.
“No INEC chairman in Nigeria’s history has made such earnest efforts to reform the commission as Mahmood Yakubu,” the statement noted.
Call for Reflection
The coalition urged Obasanjo to reflect on his own legacy and seek forgiveness for his role in institutionalizing electoral malpractice in Nigeria. They emphasized that the current challenges facing the nation are partly rooted in the flawed foundation laid during his presidency.
