You are inciting violence, Rights group warns Obasanjo

By Julius Abayomi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been accused of plotting violence and widespread chaos ahead of the 2019 Presidential election.
In a statement on Monday, the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) said the recent statement credited to Obasanjo was a clear indication of his plan to cause mayhem and violence in his desperate bid to impose his political will on Nigerians.

The statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Mr Nelson Ekujimi and made available to Irohinoodua stated “while we respect the fundamental rights of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo just like every other Nigerian to pitch his political tent with any political party of his choice in a civilize regard for public sensibilities manner, we would not fold our arms and watch idly, his mischief, irresponsible and undemocratic plot to incite the Nigerian people to violence before, during and after the 2019 general elections for political capital which is condemnable.”

Ekijimi said many Nigerians are left aghast at what he called “the outlandish, baseless and satanic campaign of blackmail and calumny against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies by a former President who by virtue of his status and knowledge of the workings of institutions of state ought not to descend to the low level of his infantile tantrums.”

The group stated “having failed repeatedly to incite Nigerians to violence with his regular attack against the person and office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and being frustrated with the futility of such an exercise, ex President Olusegun Obasanjo has now debased his standing as a former President of Nigeria by descending to the low level of incitement of Nigerians against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies by alleging that they cannot be trusted to exercise their constitutional functions in an impartial and professional manner.”

It stated further “It is a known fact that no situation or election is perfect globally, hence the Nigerian electoral system in line with global best practices, incorporates inbuilt mechanism for settlement of disputes by aggrieved parties which must be commended.

CPPM said “It is however unfortunate and condemnable, the attempt of Nigeria's ex President Olusegun Obasanjo to blackmail INEC with regards to the 2018 inconclusive gubernatorial election in Osun State and the subsequent rerun election which produced the winner, which is in line with provisions of the electoral Act, which states clearly the requirements to be met by candidates in an election before a winner is announced following from the outcome by INEC.”

By his submission, Obasanjo in the press release, Obasanjo was accused of making “a lot of unsubstantiated allegations based on emotions and Ill feelings against the federal government, to impugn on the credibility of the forthcoming 2019 general elections in a manner which is unbefitting of his status but in tandem with his reputation of casting aspersions or to put it in another word, pour mud on persons and institutions in order to portray himself as the only living Saint, but he has failed woefully.”

.

abeg forget baba