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Obasanjo’s remarks on INEC hypocritical — Group

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has taken a firm stance against former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent critiques of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, highlighting the hypocrisy embedded within Obasanjo’s assertions.

NAN, in a statement issued by it’s Chairman Salihu Suleiman, said, “It is indeed shameless for Obasanjo, who admitted during his own period of electoral malfeasance that even Jesus Christ cannot conduct credible elections in Nigeria, to now accuse the government of failing in this regard.
Obasanjo’s track record on electoral integrity is questionable, to say the least.

“During his time in office, there were numerous reports of irregularities, violence, and rigging in elections. He himself has admitted to manipulating elections to ensure victory for his preferred candidates. In light of this, it is difficult to take his criticisms of the current government seriously.

“It is important to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. However, it is hypocritical for someone like Obasanjo, who has presided over flawed elections in the past, to now point fingers at others. If he truly cared about the integrity of the electoral process, he should reflect on his own past actions and work towards ensuring free and fair elections for all Nigerians.”

NAN averred that for a leader who once presided over a system riddled with corruption, whose presidency was characterised by electoral malpractice, to now stand as a self-proclaimed arbiter of electoral integrity raises pertinent questions about the moral authority he wields in critiquing contemporary governance.

“Obasanjo’s tenure was not merely a passage of time; it was a period during which the very foundations of Nigeria’s electoral processes were laid. His administration witnessed elections marred by irregularities, where results were announced even as voters stood in queues. Such actions not only undermined the democratic ethos but also institutionalised corruption in the political fabric of Nigeria. For the former president to now label the 2023 elections a “travesty” is not only exaggerated but also a glaring display of cognitive dissonance.

“The essence of leadership lies in accountability. It is imperative for leaders to acknowledge their legacies, both good and bad. Obasanjo’s presidency was marked by a lack of significant electoral reforms, which he now decries in the current administration.

The statement noted that during his time in office, he did not prioritise the establishment of a robust electoral commission, nor did he advocate for transparency in the electoral process. Instead, he appears to have turned a blind eye to the very issues that plague the electoral system today.

“Moreover, Obasanjo’s administration was characterised by a manual electoral process, often fraught with inefficiencies and opportunities for manipulation. His criticisms of the current commission’s reliance on technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV), seem misplaced.

“The transition to a more technologically advanced electoral system is a complex endeavour that requires foresight, resources, and a commitment to reform—qualities that were conspicuously absent during his presidency.

“Corruption is a pervasive issue that has plagued Nigeria for decades. Obasanjo’s involvement in institutionalising corruption cannot be overlooked.

“His presidency was marked by allegations of financial impropriety, including accusations of using public funds for personal projects, such as the construction of his presidential library on his farm. The infamous “Ghana must-go” bags filled with money that were allegedly used to influence members of the National Assembly further tarnished his legacy. These actions raise a fundamental question: how can a leader who has so actively participated in corrupt practices now seek to lecture others on governance and integrity?

The Northern Awareness Network’s also asserted that Obasanjo has no moral grounds to lecture anyone, let alone Nigerians, on leadership, adding that his call for accountability is not merely a critique of one individual but a broader appeal for all leaders to reflect on their actions and the consequences they have had on the nation’s democratic processes.

“As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of electoral integrity, it is crucial for contemporary leaders to learn from the past. The current administration, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must prioritise the establishment of a transparent and accountable electoral process. This requires a concerted effort to address the root causes of electoral malfeasance rather than succumbing to the distractions posed by past leaders who have failed to take responsibility for their legacies.

“While it is important to listen to all perspectives on the issue of electoral integrity, we must also consider the credibility and motives of those making accusations. Obasanjo’s sudden concern for the conduct of elections in Nigeria should be viewed with scepticism, given his own history of electoral malpractice. It is time for all leaders to prioritise the interests of the Nigerian people and work towards building a transparent and accountable electoral system,” the statement added.

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