Don’t Set Nigeria On Fire, Obasanjo Warns INEC Chairman

…Cautions Buhari over his plan and hope for leaving legacy of free, fair, transparent and credible election be realized

By Simeon OSAJIE

Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has raised the alarm that danger is approaching the country over the alleged compromise of the ongoing general election process.

Obasanjo appealed to the President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, to stop the process and rectify the allegations raised against it from many quarters.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections were held on Saturday 25 February and the collation of results was being done at the National Collation Centre in Abuja.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have kicked against the process, describing it as compromised.

A representatives of the PDP and former senator from Kogi West, Dino Melaye, and other representatives of about 10 political parties walked out of the centre after raising issues bordering on irregularities in the process of the election.

In a personal letter signed by Nigeria former president, Chief Obasanjo titled, “An Appeal For Caution and Rectification,” released on Monday, said some politicians had compromised some electoral officials to make the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines not to work.

According to Obasanjo, “l am constrained to speak at this point. I crave the indulgence of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, to make this statement because I have had opportunity to keep him aware of what I know is happening and the danger looming ahead.

“On many occasions in the past, I have not hesitated to point out lacuna in the action of the President and his government. But as far as the election issues are concerned, the President has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he will want to leave a legacy of free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

“Until last Saturday night, February 25, 2023, the good and noble plan and preparation for the elections seemed to be going well. For the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a lot of money was spent to introduce Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the server for immediate transmission of results from polling units. It is no secret that INEC officials, at operational levels, have been allegedly compromised to make what should have worked not to work and to revert to manual transmission of results which is manipulated and the results doctored.

“The Chairman of INEC may claim ignorance but he cannot fold his hands and do nothing when he knows that election process has been corrupted and most of the results that are brought outside BVAS and server are not a true reflection of the will of Nigerians who have made their individual choice. At this stage, we do not need wittingly or unwittingly to set this country on fire with the greed, irresponsibility and unpatriotic act of those who allegedly gave money to INEC officials for perversion and those who collected the blood money.

“Let me appeal to the Chairman of INEC, if his hands are clean, to save Nigeria from the looming danger and disaster which is just waiting to happen. If the Chairman can postpone elections four days to the election, he can do everything to rectify the errors of the last two days – no BVAS, no result to be acceptable; and no uploading through Server, no result to be acceptable.

“Whereas, BVAS and Servers have been manipulated or rendered inactive, such results must be declared void and inadmissible for election declaration. Chairman INEC, I  have thought that you would use this wonderful opportunity to mend your reputation and character for posterity.

Going further, Obasanjo added: “Your Excellency, President Buhari Muhammadu, tension is building up and please let all elections that do not pass the credibility and transparency test be cancelled and be brought back with areas where elections were disrupted for next Saturday, March 4, 2023, and BVAS and Server officials be changed. To know which stations or polling units were manipulated, let a committee of INEC staff and representatives of the four major political parties with the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association look into what must be done to have hitch-free elections next Saturday.

“Mr. President, may your plan and hope for leaving a legacy of free, fair, transparent and credible election be realised. Mr. President, please don’t let anybody say to you that it does not matter or it is the problem of INEC. On no account should you be seen as part of the collusion or compromise. When the die is cast, it will be your problem as the Chief Executive of the nation. The Chairman of INEC may sneak out of the country or go back to his Ivory Tower. Your Excellency, thank you for hearing me out.

“Compatriot Nigerians, please exercise patience until the wrong is righted. I strongly believe that nobody will toy with the future and fortune of Nigeria at this juncture.”