“Father of do-or-die politics” – CSOs blast Obasanjo over calls for INEC chairman’s removal

A coalition of civil society organizations has condemned former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent call for the dismissal of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The organizations include The Transparency Network, Public Interest Initiative, Nigerian Justice League Initiative, and Foundation for True Democratic Governance and Freedom,

In a statement issued by the coalition’s spokesman, Dr Danladi Ceceko, the group asserted that Obasanjo lacks the moral authority to criticize Yakubu, given his record presiding over some of Nigeria’s most controversial elections.

Part of the statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement made by former President Obasanjo during a lecture at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, where he advocated for the removal of INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and officials at all levels as part of necessary electoral reforms in Nigeria.

“It appears that Obasanjo believes Nigerians have forgotten the elections of 2023 and 2007, where candidates from his party were declared winners despite allegations that elections were not properly conducted.

“Should we remind the former president that the individual he controversially and fraudulently elevated to power in 2007 admitted during his inauguration that the election was marred by corruption and irregularities? Can any indictment be more significant than this?”

Describing Obasanjo as the “father of do-or-die politics,” the coalition referred to his infamous assertion that “even Jesus Christ can’t conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria.”

“Obasanjo is the same person who attempted to bribe lawmakers to secure a third term and orchestrated the impeachment of sitting governors with minimal legislative support.

“He also sought to arrest a sitting governor, a sitting governor, Ngige of Anambra State, among other political manoeuvres. It is disingenuous for him to now discuss state capture and credible elections,” the coalition stated.

The organizations stated that no INEC chairman in Nigeria’s history has made such earnest efforts to reform the commission as Mahmood Yakubu has.

“One of Yakubu’s greatest achievements has been the integration of technology into election management in our country,” the groups noted.

The coalition concluded that Obasanjo has no moral authority to lecture anyone, particularly Nigerians, on leadership and governance.

They urged Obasanjo to reflect on his legacy and seek forgiveness for overseeing some of the most problematic elections in Nigeria’s history.