Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday urged all Nigerians to ensure that the coming elections were successful.
The country cannot afford to fail in the forthcoming elections, he said; insisting that the elections are crucial, not only to Nigerians, but the international community.
Obasanjo, spoke at a public enlightenment programme on electoral process, themed: “Ensuring free, fair and credible elections: Collective Responsibility,”organised by the Organisation of Tadhamunul Muslimeen (OTM) and The Muslim Congress (TMC), Ogun State chapter, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.He was represented by Chief Idowu Akanle.
The former president said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all security agencies could not afford to perform less, saying all eyes were on the country to conduct credible elections that were violence-free.
He said, “The elections are crucial and the international community is watching us. We should not disappoint them by ensuring that the elections are free and fair. INEC and all other security agencies must ensure free and fair elections, with no excuse on arrival of materials and provision of adequate security where necessary.
“This election is for progress and development of this great country and should be devoid of sentiments. “Baba said his message is for all Nigerians to protect the integrity of the country with their votes, so that we can also be like countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai, where there is order in governance.
“We must not make mistake of allowing the international community to make jest of us; as such, we want to beg INEC to assure us that it shall be well.
“You must be fully prepared. You must be up and doing, without excuses. You know this terrain very well; there should be no delay and late arrival of voting materials.
Obasanjo, who has a clear partisan agenda in the coming elections, has of late made criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan his pastime.
The Owu-chief who is being accused by the North of deliberately foisting sick Late Umaru Yar’Adua on office as a means of creating opportunity for a southerner to ascend to the presidency has been trying to frustrate President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid probably in order to reassure the North of his unflinching friendship.
Incidentally, Obasanjo presided over the worst elections in the nation’s political history, both in 2003 and 2007.
