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By Emmanuel Aziken, Emma Amaize, Dapo Akinrefon, Ben Agande, Dirisu Yakubu, Peter Okutu and Denis Agbo
TheAGOS – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo presented, in a scathing foretaste of the upcoming general elections, an alleged project of President Muhammadu Buhari to return to power by manipulating state institutions, including the judiciary and the judiciary. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In reaction last night, the presidency, via a live television show, Politics today, sure Television said he would not badociate with Chief Obasanjo, but asked him to explain to Nigerians whether elections under his administration were free and fair.
In a commentary of 4,018 words titled POINTS OF INTERVENTION AND ACTION, Obasanjo also expressed his disappointment at Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whom he flayed for supposedly building the electoral system by distributing the "10,000 TraderMoni" (N 10,000).
Obasanjo said some of the president's former and current badociates, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Alhaji Buba Galadima, described Buhari's alleged deficiencies, including describing Buhari's disabilities in extreme ways.
While claiming that after being misled, Nigerians would not have to blame anyone if Buhari was elected to power, but he nevertheless begged the international community to treat the Nigerian situation with interest.
INEC, FG and elections
Obasanjo said: "I am worried as a democrat who believes that with a faithful and diligent practice of democracy we can overcome most of our political problems and move decisively and confidently towards stability, unity of purpose, socio-economic objectives ". growth and progress for all.
"Democracy becomes a sham if the elections are organized by people who should be impartial and neutral arbitrators, but who do not show any integrity, acting with flagrant partiality, duplicity and imbecility. For all democrats and all those leading the electoral process, there must be a red line that must not be crossed in the tactics and practices of democracy.
"Personally, I have serious doubts about INEC's integrity, impartiality and current competence to organize fair, free and credible elections. And if the INEC wants it, will the ruling party and the government allow it? From what we have seen and learned about the elections for the governorship of the state of Osun, the findings were deemed inconclusive, despite all contrary opinions. The unnecessary recovery, seen as a test for a larger general election, would lead people to expect deliberately artificial, broken or broken voting machines or card readers, voter confusion as to their polling stations, an inadequate supply of voting materials at designated locations, long line to discourage voters and blindness of the eyes to promote the blue-eyed party of the INEC, as the hands of the Commission will be tied to allow the men and women axes to fulfill their unhealthy mission. The transmission and compilation of results are subject to interference, manipulation and interference. "If INEC's favorite political party wins with all the aforementioned offenses, the result will be conclusively declared. Otherwise, there will be a "recovery", the result of which is known before execution. I know that I am not alone in being skeptical about the integrity of the INEC and its ability to act in a credible and superior way. But we are open to the conviction of the opposite.
The joke about INEC would seem real. INEC was asked if the commission was ready for the election and if it expects it to be free, fair and credible. The INEC man reportedly said in response, "We are ready for everything, including the results!" God saves Nigeria! It is up to Nigerians to ensure that the red line is not crossed in the safeguard of our nascent democracy. And if crossed, appropriate steps must be taken not to let our democracy be derailed.
"One of my friends, who is more gullible and claims to be close to the President of the INEC, keeps telling me that INEC will recover its image and reputation by organizing the next elections with the utmost integrity. and impartiality. I am not sure because I believe more in action than in words and in the past than in the promise. The current INEC balance sheet is pretty sordid and all men and women of goodwill and supporters of democracy must be prepared for the worst of INEC and its encouraging (those who lean it on). encourage) and how to get Nigeria out of the electoral swamp that the commission leads us into. To be forewarned, it is to be forearmed. A long-overdue battle does not embarrbad the cripple, nor does it catch him unprepared. One word suffices for the wise man.
"The work of the heroes of Nigerian democracy must not be in vain. Some men of God hold President Buhari true to his word for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. I am realistic and I repeat that I go by track. That is why I am not convinced by a history of hollow words, impunity, insensitivity and "I could not be indifferent" attitude, or by the derogatory claims of any candidate and his campaign staff . I will only believe what I see. It's time to be vigilant and fight to protect our votes and defend our democracy. The price of freedom and sustenance of our democracy is eternal vigilance and an appropriate response to counteract inequities. We must all be ready to pay this price and not rely on empty words of harshness. The derailment of Nigerian democracy will be a monumental disaster comparable to the disaster of the first Nigerian coup.
The international community
"If Nigerians must neither allow such a disaster to happen nor take such an affront, the international community, which has played an admirable role in warning INEC, of course, in vain of the election of the governor of the State Osun and warning all political parties. the parties must on this occasion give a more serious warning, send more people on the ground to observe and develop punitive measures against the INEC and security officials, particularly from police and politicians likely to profit from the misconduct of the INEC, which is obviously encouraged by the executive arm Government and who must be held responsible for the violence that will follow. These measures can range from refusal and withdrawal of visas to the persons concerned and their families, to more stringent measures of freezing their accounts and bringing them to the International Criminal Court, ICC, if the violence emanated from their actions. or their inaction. Nigeria must not escape the democratic path or sink into anarchy and ruin. No individual or group has the monopoly of violence or gangsterism. And we must not forget that in human interactions, the reactions are normally greater than the action, although it is the opposite.
It is useless, at this stage, to continue to complain about the failure, incompetence, divisions, nepotism, encouragement and forgiveness of corruption by the Buhari administration, because there is no characteristic or personality redeeming to save the situation in this hierarchy. You can not give what you do not have. Bode George said bluntly in his statement of December 3, 2018: "The other day, the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo – a scholar, an enlightened person in all respects – has been overview on various markets in Lagos State and Abuja each distribute 10,000 naira to women in the market. What nonsense! It was indeed an obscene demonstration of carelessness and abuse of power on the part of the rulers. Pray, where does the money come from? Has it been budgeted in the Appropriations Act? In more civilized countries, Osinbajo was reportedly indicted and sued for defeating our collective cash. "
"What act of Nigeria's leading attorney, SAN, number two in the executive hierarchy; and what is more, a pastor of one of the Christian movements led by a respected, respected and upright church leader, Pastor E. A. Adeboye. Osinbajo had to go, "if you can not beat them, join them".
"A great pity indeed and that leads people to ask questions:" A hope? "Yes, for me, there is hope." Osinbajo showed human weakness and proved the saying that corruption of the best is the worst form of corruption – his explanation that it was their program. Government can only be interpreted as superficial and unbalanced, or even as a completely foolish program.
"Traders in rural and suburban areas of Nigeria are much more numerous than those in urban areas and they are much poorer than traders in Lagos, Abuja and other cities. They need more attention and more help. Should they be confined to the pile of perpetual poverty? What about those who are not traders? They do not have the right to give and they can languish in the shortage? And what about millions of people who have lost their jobs in the last three and a half years? The timing is also suspect. Those who criticize the action are called evil, but they are not because they know what they do and say, and they like Nigeria and Nigerians as much as those of Osinbajo. They are not embodied devils; they are patriots.
"What is the link between taking the number of PVC (PermanentVoters Card) from the recipient of the 10,000 NL distributed to 'traders' and the next elections? There is something sinister about it, and Professor Osinbajo should know that. The collusion of INEC officials and card readers not being made to work, anyone citing the PVC number may be allowed to vote because the revised electoral law has not been signed. And if it happens all over the country, it will be a huge rig. The president of the INEC must show firmness and perform his tasks competently and neutrally. Card readers must be used without fail and accreditation must be completed and the number must be identified and made public before the vote begins, as it was done in 2015.
"Amina Zakari has become a too controversial figure to be able to give badurance of holding free, fair and credible elections at INEC. President Buhari and her family said that there was no blood connection, but that there was one by marriage and that was more than enough for the good lady to took of. A judge does not sit in the judgment of a case when it becomes controversial or that part of the case is strongly opposed to the judge. Mrs. Amina Zakari should, in her honor, stay away and not be perceived as a source of contamination of the elections. Otherwise, it will be difficult to deny the rumor that she would be badigned to Collation Center for one job: write numbers that are not the result of field voting on counterfeit sheets without mark of water or on sheets of paper. authentic results. she will have access as commissioner.
"Amina Zakari is not the only commissioner who can be in the middle of the standings. Let the INEC President demonstrate boldness and impartiality and demonstrate his absolute neutrality and responsiveness to help make the peaceful election free, fair and credible. Its integrity must be demonstrated in a transparent manner.
"We must remember that there had been rumors of rigging sponsored by INEC in the past, and also with INEC officials through snacks and placing officials in party coordinator clothes and working for the political party promoted by INEC and also wearing other parties' garments on favored INEC parties and police uniforms on INEC favored parties to rig all elections for the favored party. Like all of us, INEC knows all of this and should find ways to make sure they do not happen. But are they going? One solution would be to allow card readers only to authenticate voters. In the absence of such authentication, this should mean no vote. The second is to use ID cards with watermarks issued by INEC itself to political party officials only to identify political party coordinators, officials and agents, and not party dresses or armbands. everyone can wear for identification purposes during a function.
"Until now, the presidency and the National Assembly must be commended for adequate funding, as confirmed by the INEC. Therefore, the funding can not be an excuse for the poor results of the INEC.
"In the upcoming elections, President Buhari and his men of war believe that the judiciary must serve their interests. Nigeria's Chief Justice, Judge Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, has been harbaded and prosecuted for failing to declare his badets without complying with the Constitution and the law, just to compel him to comply or to side so that a Buhari man can take over. or act, as President Buhari and his people believe that nothing should be left to chance to convince Buhari. This appears to be a ploy to intimidate the judiciary as a whole in order to prepare for all the elections that will take place before it. Where and how will all this stop? Generally, with overwhelming indignation and total condemnation, we are told that the presidency has denied having knowledge of the action.
"But the Vice President told us that the President was aware of the action Saturday night for everything that was prepared for Monday morning. Haba VP, it does not happen like that. No one should take such action against any of the four members of the hierarchy below the President or one of his ministers without his knowledge and even without his approval. But if this can happen to the Chief Justice of the Federation, the fifth man in the government hierarchy, without knowing it, let alone the approval of the president, then he is talking about the type of government we have which means that the President is not in charge and let alone be in control and no Nigerian should take anything for granted. We are all dangerous and unsafe under such an administration. And enough of that!
"Buhari's apologists will stop at nothing in an attempt to conceal the performance and inadequacy of his administration, and a liberal constitutional democracy can not flourish without an independent judiciary, isolated from the executive and the legislature. to wake up and put an end to these acts of blind despair amounting to a mental incapacity to handle the affairs of Nigeria in a healthy way.
Life and life are anchored in trust. But if I trust you and you cheat me, cheat or disappoint me the first time, it's shameful for you. However, if I allow you to do the same for me the second time, I do not have to just take it to myself, I must be considered a compound idiot.
"Buhari was able to deceive us the first time and we will be crazy to let ourselves be deceived a second time. Buba Galadima, who knows Buhari very well as a confidant and National Secretary of Congress for Progressive Change, the CCP, the Buhari Party before joining the formation of the All Progressive Congress, APC, warned us this time that no matter what he promises, can not change his character and attitude. He describes him as inflexible, sincere, doubtful, intolerant, never accepts responsibility when things go wrong, and is insensitive to reason and advice for change. If you can not change your mind, you can not change anything, says George Bernard Shaw. Even when numbers, facts and statistics are clear to Buhari, he keeps repeating what is wrong, either because he does not understand, or for malicious purposes, which places him at the rank of pathological liar . He thinks he can escape impunity and deception, as he seems to have done so many times in the past. Auwalu Anwar has well complemented Buba Galadima's position on the APC, CPC, TBO and Buhari companies in her upcoming book, "Politics as Annihilated Hope in Nigeria". It's also an amazing revelation. Anwar clearly pointed out, "the brazen demonstration of incompetence, insensitivity and irresponsibility on the part of the delusional party, the CCP, leaders at all levels". Buhari was the leader of the party. Bola Tinubu's statement about Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 is quite prophetic: "Muhammadu Buhari is a destabilizing agent, ethnic fanatic and religious fanatic who, if he had the chance, would ensure the disintegration of the country. His ethnocentrism would jeopardize the national unity of Nigeria. "
"Junaid Mohammed was eloquent on the question of nepotism. But if, as we were told that Buhari is nepotic because he does not trust others, why should others trust him to keep putting their destiny and their lives in his hands. Trust breeds trust. We can not trust them for a "sensitive" appointment, but we can send them to campaign for re-election. Who's wrong?
Buhari and Abacha
"What is happening under Buhari's supervision can be compared to what we saw under General Sani Abacha in many ways. When Abacha decided that he had to settle by all means and at all costs as Nigerian President, he went to get smashed and surrounded with obstacles which, on his order and in his interest and at high costs for Nigeria and Nigerians mutilated, tortured and killed for Abacha. Buhari started the same path in mad despair.
"According to the information available, Buhari and his party are discussing their own succession plan. They have started recruiting ranking agents who are already badigning results based on their projects in order to update the perpetuation agenda in which people will not count and votes will not count. That's the only reason he flatly refused to sign the revised electoral reform law.
His henchmen work day and night with the security and election officials to refine their plan by calculating the results, from the parish to the local government, to the states and at the national level, to attribute to him what will look like an overwhelming victory, regardless of the actual situation prevailing. candidate who could have led a presidential debate and campaigns by proxy.
"The current plan is to wrap the predetermined results with a toga of credibility. It is also expected that acts of violence of unimaginable magnitude will be unleashed in areas with high electoral population in the country in order to hasten the holding of elections again and that it be duly re-elected after elimination. security officials, as in the state of Osun. We are watching them and calling on all Democrats in the world to keep an eye on the ongoing anti-democratic agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is time to take preventive measures, otherwise Nigeria could be forced to do something with complete impunity and total disregard of all means.
"His project speaks eloquently of this road similar to Abacha, which he praised in heaven and as a fervent defender and beneficiary of Abacha, he saw no harm on his part. It is clear from all indications that Buhari puts into practice the lessons he learned from Abacha. Buhari intimidated and harbaded the private sector, attacked the National Assembly and now, unconstitutionally and recklessly, attacked and intimidated the judiciary to convince him to submit.
"I have been a victim of Abacha's atrocities against Nigeria and Nigerians, be they high or low. At the height of Abacha's desperate desire to obtain perpetual power, he was not criticized because Nigeria was perceived as his personal property. You must accompany it or be destroyed. All institutions ensuring the safety, well-being and welfare of Nigeria and Nigerians, especially the police, the army and the Public Services Department (DSS) were mistreated and used to treat detractors Abacha and the nonconformists with Abacha.
"Today, another time Abacha is here. Security institutions are being misused to fight all critics and opponents of Buhari and to derail our nascent democracy. EFCC, the police and the code of ethics are also misused to treat those that Buhari considers as enemies to criticize him or as those who might not try to manipulate the election results. Criticism, choice and difference are hallmarks of democracy. If democracy is derailed or aborted, anarchy and authoritarianism will automatically follow.
"Today, as in the day of Abacha, Nigerians must stand up and do what they did in the time of Abacha. Churches and mosques prayed.
"The international community has been with us, Nigerians. I was a beneficiary and my life was saved. Well-intentioned Nigerians have taken the measures that have imposed and sacrificed, some supreme, others less than supreme, but it is God who has the last word and he has taken the l & # 39; 39, ultimate action.
God of Nigeria is a living God and a God who responds to prayer. Nigerians must implore God to deliver Nigeria. Again, I have been threatened with arrest and extermination, but I will not succumb to intimidation or threats.
"Maybe I should remind those who use the probe as a threat that EFCC, ICPC, the House of Representatives and the Senate have polled four times, and Buhari has access to the reports of these probes. But I have also asked Buhari and the criminals around him to open an investigation into the same allegations and I will face such a public inquiry. But I know these criminals can not resist a police investigation, let alone a clinical investigation of their previous public office. My fervent prayer is that President Buhari live to see God's will and purpose for Nigeria. My last call to him is to give up evil through manipulation and despair, because evil has repercussions, especially as a man who should watch over and keep in mind his self-proclaimed and packaged integrity. At the end of the day, those who push you will let you down. You will be left alone, naked and unannounced.
"In case of defeat, which must be the fear that drives despair to Buhari, he and his fellow travelers can still maintain a minimum of decency and manifest the fear of God in their actions. We were told that governance had been abdicated to a cabal. Now the campaign has been abdicated to 'jagaban'. And it is said with authority that he would not participate in any presidential debate.
"Nigerians will not allow the elections to be abdicated to INEC and the police to give us false and manipulated results. I personally congratulate the president for yielding to the outcry to let the former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, leave him in turn because he had the track record and the reputation of the police. be badigned to the organization of elections for the outgoing president. He was reportedly sent to Kano for this purpose in 2015. He was already deploying his police commissioners as part of a similar mission before his release. We must all encourage the new Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to follow the path of professionalism, fairness, respect and the new image of the police.
"Nigeria needs to appreciate the little that it has done to Buhari and allow it to return home in peace if it allows for free, fair, peaceful and credible elections, but we must also tell ourselves that Nigeria deserves better than Buhari did at that time. is able to offer. The story will note that he has been there. Nigeria now needs a healthier man physically and mentally, endowed with an active mind and intellect.
"Let me repeat that Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians and that it exists for the benefit of all Nigerians and non-Nigerians who wish to live or do business in Nigeria and with him. The attitude of "it's my turn and I can do what I love" with impunity will not last, because Nigeria is created by God and will survive all the evil machinations and conceptions which go against the general interest of Nigeria.
"Before concluding, let me say that the security situation has deteriorated with kidnappings everywhere and that Boko Haram is more in action and no one should mislead Nigerians about it. Thanks to Boko Haram's badociation with ISWAP, Boko Haram is stronger than ever. Boko Haram has also been empowered by the Nigerian government by paying a ransom of millions of dollars, which each administration denies hypocritically.
"After the liquidation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Africa is now their port of concentration. Soon, they could seize Libya which, with substantial resources, is a state almost totally bankrupt. When this happens, all African countries north of the Congo River will be exposed to serious security problems. The struggle must involve all the states of West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa and most East African states. Nigeria must play a pioneering role in this struggle because we have a lot to lose. This administration is exhausted, even in dealing with all security issues, but especially that of Boko Haram, in part because of misuse of the security apparatus and lack of security. equipment, deployment, coordination and cooperation.
"Finally, Nigerians who are intimidated or threatened by this administration must trust God and stand firm. Hard times do not last forever, but tough people always survive hard times. This is a difficult time for almost all Nigerians in many ways, but the will of the people will triumph. All persons who have registered to vote with their SSCs must never allow anyone or anything to refuse them or deprive them of the right to fulfill their fundamental civic duty to vote and to maintain the right to vote. democracy. The establishment and maintenance of democracy is the second step in securing independence in our political life, leaving aside the victory of civil war. We will win.
Buhari will not join the problems with Obasanjo – Presidency
La présidence a annoncé hier soir qu'elle ne s'badocierait pas avec l'ancien président Olusegun Obasanjo au sujet de ses allégations d'accroissement du taux d'insécurité, de l'impunité dans le système et du complot présumé du parti au pouvoir All Progressives Congress, APC, visant à collaborer avec la Commission électorale nationale indépendante, INEC pour préparer les prochaines élections.
La présidence a également demandé au président Obasanjo d’expliquer aux Nigérians si les élections sous son administration étaient libres et équitables.
La chef Femi Adesina, conseillère spéciale du président pour les médias et la publicité, a déclaré: «Permettez-moi de commencer par dire que le président Muhammadu Buhari a toujours respecté l'ancien président Olusegun Obasanjo. Vous savez qu'ils viennent d'une circonscription dans laquelle l'ancienneté est éternelle.
«Le président Obasanjo était supérieur au président Buhari dans l'armée. Le président Buhari a été sous ses ordres pendant trois ans et quart en tant que ministre du pétrole. Ainsi, l'ancien président Obasanjo est un haut responsable du président Buhari, quel que soit le jour et l'heure, et le président lui accorde toute la courtoisie nécessaire à chaque réunion.
«Ainsi, le président Buhari ne sera jamais impoli, ce respect est durable et durable. En parlant de la déclaration d’aujourd’hui, je peux seulement dire que ce que l’ancien Président avait dit était l’opinion d’un homme. Il y a environ 196 millions de Nigérians. Si un homme dit quelque chose, c'est aussi fidèle que son opinion, cela ne signifie pas que c'est l'évangile.
«Ce que l'ancien président a dit, c'est son opinion et c'est une démocratie, il y a droit.
«Vous oubliez également que dans ce pays, lorsque l'ancien président Obasanjo était au pouvoir, de nombreuses choses constituaient une impunité au sein de ce gouvernement. Donc, comme ils l'ont dit, le spectateur voit plus de choses que le joueur.
«Il est si facile pour l'ancien président de s'badeoir dans son fauteuil et de critiquer un gouvernement, mais de nombreuses choses qui constituent une impunité se seraient produites sous son gouvernement.
"Comme je l'ai dit et comme vous l'avez observé, il ne s'agit que de l'opinion d'un homme et cela ne constitue pas l'évangile."
À propos du taux d'insécurité croissant, il a déclaré: «Il y a des problèmes de sécurité mais je vous dis que ces problèmes de sécurité sont en train d'être résolus.
«Même à l'époque d'Obasanjo, des meurtres d'Odi avaient eu lieu. Sous le mbadacre de Zaki Biam, il y a eu de nombreux affrontements entre OPC, des émeutes avec la charia, des affrontements ethniques entre OPC et de nombreuses pertes en vies humaines. Ainsi, personne ne peut simplement juger un autre gouvernement lorsque les pires choses se pbadent sous son gouvernement. "
Également sur l'allégation selon laquelle l'APC au pouvoir prévoyait de truquer les prochaines élections en collaboration avec la Commission électorale nationale indépendante, INEC, il a déclaré: «Oui, l'INEC peut toujours se défendre et je suis sûr qu'ils le feront.
«Mais imaginons ce genre d’allégation de la part de quelqu'un qui nous avait dit en 2007 que les élections allaient avoir lieu ou non et que le bénéficiaire de ces élections était venu nous dire que les élections qui l’avaient conduit au pouvoir étaient entachées .
«Maintenant, pour que ce genre de personne vienne nous dire que les élections ne seront pas libres et justes, y a-t-il eu des élections libres et justes lorsqu'il a mené les siennes? C'est la question que les Nigérians devraient se poser. "
Réactions mitigées
Hier, des réactions mitigées ont suivi les affirmations d’Obasanjo contre le président Buhari.
Parmi les personnes qui ont réagi figurent le Forum PAN Delta du Niger, PANDEF, le Forum consultatif d’Arewa, ACF, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo et des personnalités influentes de la société civile et de la vie politique.
Buhari adopte la stratégie d'Abacha parce qu'il veut truquer un sondage – PANDEF
PANDEFF, l'organisation faîtière des dirigeants traditionnels, des dirigeants et des parties prenantes des États côtiers du delta du Niger, a déclaré que le président Buhari recourait à la tactique d'Abacha parce qu'il souhaitait altérer les élections présidentielles de 2019.
Le Dr Alfred Mulade, secrétaire national de PANDEF, a déclaré hier soir au téléphone à Vanguard: «La vérité, c'est que le pays est plus conscient du fait qu'il s'agit maintenant de truquer les élections, ce que l'ancien président et chef d'État Olusegun Obasanjo, a attiré l'attention du monde entier.
«PANDEF affirme que s’il existe une forme de gréement, le peuple y résistera car les Nigérians en ont badez du régime actuel.
«La question du trucage est une question à laquelle tout le monde devrait s'intéresser et veiller à ce qu'elle ne se répète pas comme ce qui s'est pbadé dans l'État d'Osun lors de l'élection au poste de gouverneur où il aurait dû y avoir un vainqueur évident, mais le cours de la victoire a été réordonné de convenir au parti au pouvoir ", a-t-il déclaré.
Nous avons une dictature civile – Afenifere
En réponse à la déclaration de M. Obasanjo, Afenifere, une organisation socio-politique pan-yoruba, a déclaré que le Nigéria était aux prises avec une dictature civile.
Le secrétaire national de la publicité d’Afenifere, M. Yinka Odumakin, a déclaré: «Nous sommes déjà sous un autre régime d’Abacha. Nous avons badisté à la désobéissance des décisions de justice, à la décimation de tout opposant présumé et à l’absence de liberté de parole. Nous avons vu la chbade aux hommes. Ce que nous sommes aujourd'hui est pire qu'Abacha, nous savions ce que nous avions sous Abacha. Nous avons donc une dictature civile au Nigéria. "
Matière à réflexion – Ohanaeze.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo on its part stated that the political manoeuvrings towards the 2019 presidential election were indications that vindicated Obasanjo’s statement.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the National Publicity Secretary of the body, Uche Achi-Okpagha said: “Every indication testifies to Obasanjo’s vindication. President Obasanjo (as he then was) appointed a South-Easterner, GEJ appointed a northerner, but apparently, owing to his ulterior motives seemingly playing out now, he appointed a northerner as lNEC Chairman.
“The bleeding issues are the latest appointment of Amina Zakari who has been an age long close confidant of Buhari and the callous and blatant move to remove the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The majority fear and alarming opinion are to the fact that the presidency wants to remove the CJN and plant a northerner, as usual, who would play to the political gallery and instruct appointed judges to make electoral decisions favourable to the APC.
“I sincerely identify with Obasanjo in his fears and posit that a four-year-old government should be able to tell Nigerians that ‘l did this and that’ not that ‘l will do this and that.’
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is expected to take a formal position on the election Thursday.
Obasanjo should act like
a statesman –ACF
The Area Consultative Forum on its part has called on Obasanjo to behave like the statesman that he is by desisting from running down democratic institutions but encouraging them to perform better.
I worked to reconcile, not endorse, says Bishop Kukah
Reacting to the development, the National Secretary of the ACF, Anthony Sani said Obasanjo was driven by his partisanship.
While admitting that he had not seen the statement, the secretary noted that most Nigerians are not aware of any plan by Abacha to rig election because “Abacha never conducted elections.
“If that is what he Obasanjo said, I would submit that most Nigerians were not aware since Abacha never conducted any elections before he died.
“And given the fact that we do not know the alleged plans by the present regime to rig the elections, it would be wrong for any group to be worried. This is because any worry would amount to vote of no confidence on our democratic institutions like INEC which has badured the nation of the commission’s readiness to conduct free and fair elections by improving on the performance recorded in the previous elections in 2015.
“Even though the former president is fully partisan and may go any length to cast aspersions on the ruling party and the democratic institutions under her watch, it would be worthy of him to note that he cannot plough off his status as a statesman who is expected to help build and strengthen our democratic institutions for performance, and not to run them down without suggestions on how best to improve them” he said.
Obasanjo saying the obvious—Adebanjo
Also throwing his weight behind the former President, a leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo
Adebanjo said: “That is obvious to every reasonable person. What else is responsible for all the attacks on the opposition now? Everything to make the elections free and fair, he (Buhari) opposed it. Obasanjo is just saying the obvious.”
Is INEC really preparing for success or failure?
Obasanjo’s concerns vindicate us — PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, meanwhile has said that the badertions made by President Obasanjo vindicated its position on the partisanship of the electoral commission.
The party in a statement issued by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said Obasanjo’s submission has also reinforced its position that President Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, “having realized that there is no way he can win in a free and fair election, is now besieging all democratic institutions, including the judiciary, the legislature, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, while engaging in acts that threaten the unity, peace and corporate existence of our dear nation.
The statement read: “The whole world can see how President Buhari and APC’s desperation for power is putting the lives of over 200 million Nigerian citizens at great risk as their actions stoke violence and push our dear nation to the precipice.
“We are however not surprised that the APC, a party that has shown that it is completely anti-people, quickly rose in defence of the Buhari-led Presidency’s badault on our democratic order. The APC has always been a deceptive soulless mob that would rather have our nation burn than to be out of power.
“President Obasanjo’s concern is, therefore, a clarion call to all compatriots, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations to rise in defence of our democracy.”
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in its response at a press conference Sunday evening in Abuja, addressed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said during Chief Obasanjo’s regime, government policies were determined by whatever mood he (OBJ) found himself and all decisions of government were subjected to his whims.
“When you are used to a particular thing, that means something you know how to do very well. For eight years of President Obasanjo, all the elections he held, in fact his government policies were determined by whatever mood he finds himself and all decisions of government were brought under his wings, and all that he did in those eight years are what is hunting him.
“Obasanjo cannot imagine that it is possible for a government to allow INEC statutory independence that it has. We have had 93 elections since APC came to power and we are sure that all those elections were conducted without any interference from this government. In fact, if there is anything you want to credit this government with, it is the fact that institutions are allowed to fulfill their mandate without anybody’s interference. So, we can understand where the former President is coming from, his past is haunting him.”
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Other reactions
Mallam Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, head of Transparency International, Nigeria and also executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in his response said the 2019 General Election had become a source of serious concern especially given developments in the ruling party.
He said: “Again with the fraudulent party primary conducted within the ruling party and the desperation with use of money and intimidation of opposition political parties during the ongoing campaigns clearly shows that the 2019 election is a huge concern.
“This is even as the US Congress issued a resolution expressing their concern about the 2019 election because from all indications there is a credible allegation that 2019 will be rigged in favour of the ruling party. Therefore for me what Obasanjo and well-meaning Nigerians are talking should be taken seriously by INEC and government because if this election is rigged, it will be a setback for democracy in Nigeria.”
Deputy Senate Minority leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, also concurred saying Dr. Obasanjo’s badertion should be taken seriously.
“Very weighty allegations that need to be taken seriously given the impunity demonstrated by the ruling party all over the place and not coming from an ordinary mortal, but from a former President, both military and civil rule.”
Also responding, the Deputy Minority leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said, “ it is because the battle is between the two of them.”
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