Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has passed vote of no confidence on the ongoing electoral process, especially the announcement of presidential and national assembly result.

This is as collation of the presidential election results continues at the National Collation Center in Abuja.

The former President, in a statement personally signed and made available to journalists, alleged that some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have corrupted to compromise the process.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for proving himself beyond a reasonable doubt on his promise for a free, fair, and credible election, Obasanjo said some officials of the Commission might have compromised the process.

Obasanjo lamented that some officials of INEC, at operational level, have been allegedly compromised to make the electronic transmission of result through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the Server, unworkable.

The former President further alleged that the aim of these officers is to revert to manual transmission of results which, he said, has been manipulated and the results doctored.

“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.”

Obasanjo said the Chairman of the Commission may claim ignorance of the corrupted process, he should not fold his hands and do nothing since the process has been corrupted.

He added that results that are brought outside the BVAS and server are not the true reflection of the wills of Nigerians who had made their individual choices through the elections.

The former President appealed to the Chairman of the Commission to save Nigeria from the looming danger and disaster, adding that no result should be allowed outside the BVAS, or results allowed without upload on the server.

“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.”

 The former President also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to rise to the occasion, adding that all elections that do not pass through credibility and transparent process be cancelled and rescheduled.

He also advised that a committee of INEC be put in place to ascertain the polling units where results are manipulated.

“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.”

 

Read the full text below

PRESS RELEASE

2023 NIGERIA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

- AN APPEAL FOR CAUTION AND RECTIFICATION

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. 

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.  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.

Long live Nigeria in peace, security, stability and in the hope for greater future.

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

February 27, 202