By Kolawole Ojebisi
Deluge of reactions has continued to trail former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for the appointment of new, credible leaders for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obasanjo noted that those at the helm of the commission must have short tenure to prevent corruption and re-establish trust.
He added that as part of the complete reform of the electoral system INEC staff must be thoroughly vetted to ensure dispassionate, non-partisan actors with impeccable reputations in the commission.
Obasanjo spoke during the Chinua Achebe leadership forum held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
“Nigeria must ensure the appointment of new credible INEC leadership at the federal, state, local government, and municipal—city, town, and village levels—with short tenures—to prevent undesirable political influence and corruption and re-establish trust in the electoral systems by its citizens..”
Obasanjo alleged that INEC intentionally failed to utilise the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and election viewing portal (IReV) technologies during the 2023 presidential election.
“The BVAS and IReV are two technological innovations that, prior to 2023, were celebrated for their potential to enhance the accuracy and transparency of our election results, eliminate the threat of election rigging, and boost public trust in electoral outcomes,” he said.
“These technologies were touted by the INEC chairman himself. In the end, these technologies did not fail.
“INEC willfully failed to use or implement them, which resulted in widespread voting irregularities. It was a case of inviting the fox into the henhouse”
But reacting to Obasanjo’s remarks on social media Nig gave variegated views.
Steven Demen wrote, “The worst election umpire (INEC chairman) on earth Maurice iwu was appointed by Obasanjo..and under president Obasanjo’s watch prof Maurice Iwu conducted the worst election ever in the history of Nigeria..?
people who never participated in the election process were given certificate of return for winning election they never participated in”
“Even the late Yaradua you handed over to confessed in one of his interviews that the election that brought him to power was rigged! Stop trying to play Saint! There has never been a credible election in Nigeria” Usman Waheed.
Owoicho Johnpaul “See who is talking”
” The pot calling the kettle black.” Tunde James
” Baba Obasanjo’s tenure better by far than this nonsense and other nonsenses(if there’s a word like this) after his administration.” Chibuzor Okafor
“I wish we could bring you back. You were firm and thorough during your time” Henry Jude
“Tell that to indomie generation not someone like me who witnessed how you ruined Nigeria” Titi Akinlotan.
“Like Maurice Iwu who announced Omisore who was in prison as winner of my senatorial district election. Baba you better go and sit down.” Peter Odesola.
