FG replies Obasanjo: Don’t truncate electoral process

The Federal Government has urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to truncate the #2023GeneralElections with his inciting, self-serving and provocative letter on the elections.

This is contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President (Media) office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Segun Adeyemi on Tuesday in Abuja

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says what the former President cunningly framed as an appeal for caution and rectification is nothing but a calculated attempt to undermine the electoral process and a wilful incitement to violence.

The Minister expressed shock and disbelief that a former President could throw around unverified claims and amplify wild allegations picked up from the street against the electoral process.

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had in a letter released on Monday, urged President Buhari not to ignore the concerns raised about the election process.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed said “Though masquerading as an unbiased and concerned elder statesman, former President Obasanjo is in reality a known partisan who is bent on thwarting, by subterfuge, the choice of millions of Nigerian voters”.

‘‘Instead, former President Obasanjo used his unsolicited letter to insinuate, or perhaps wish for, an inconclusive election and a descent into anarchy; used his time to cast aspersion on electoral officials who are unable to defend themselves” The statement noted.

According to the Minister ”With a deployment of over 1,265,227 electoral officials, the infusion of technology to enhance the electoral process and the logistical nightmare of sending election materials across our vast country, INEC seems to be availing itself creditably”.

”Therefore, those arrogating to themselves the power to cancel an election and unilaterally fix a date for a new one, ostensibly to ameliorate perceived electoral infractions should please exercise restraint and allow the official electoral body to conclude its duty by announcing the results of the 2023 national elections.

The Information and Culture Minister told the former President that organizing elections in Nigeria is not a mean feat, considering that the voter population of 93,469,008 in the country is 16,742,916 more than the total number of registered voters, at 76,726,092, in 14 West African nations put together.