Obasanjo to Buhari: Tension is building — let compromised polls be cancelled and redone

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to address the concerns raised over the alleged discrepancies regarding the results of the general election.

Presidential and national assembly election results are currently being announced, but some areas have recorded disruptions, while party agents such as those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have rejected the results of some states.

There have also been concerns and protests on and off social media platforms over attacks at polling units, non-functionality of the bimodal voter verification system (BVAS), missing results on the Independent National Electoral Commission result viewing portal, among other incidents recorded.

In a letter on Monday, Obasanjo said Buhari cannot afford to ignore the concerns raised over the electoral process, adding that immediate steps — including rescheduling polls in affected areas — need to be taken.

“Nigerian Brothers and Sisters, greetings to you all. I am constrained to speak at this point. I crave the indulgence of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency General 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,” the letter reads.

“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 level, 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 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.

“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.”

Obasanjo also said a committee of INEC officials and representatives of political parties and the chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) be set up to determine the areas where elections were compromised in preparation for fresh polls.

“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,” the added.

“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.”

Obasanjo’s comments on the 2023 elections come amid ongoing speculations regarding the 2007 polls, which till date, do not have a full result breakdown according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The 2007 elections, conducted during the Obasanjo administration, was said to have featured major irregularities, including alleged rigging and voter intimidation.

After he was declared winner, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua — now late — had  committing to delivering credible elections.

“I sincerely believe that we need to conduct our elections and affairs in accordance to the ideals of democracy,” Yar’Adua had said in an interview with Voice of America.

The April 2007 election is the only poll in the country’s history without results available on the candidates’ scores across states.