The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has opposed the recent call by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
According to a statement issued on behalf of the group by its National Coordinator, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, he said while constructive criticism is vital in the nation’s democratic journey, it is baseless hypocrisy cloaked as patriotism, especially when coming from someone whose own record on governance and electoral integrity is deeply flawed.
In the statement which reads in part, Uwejeyan said, “It is essential to remind Nigerians of former President Obasanjo’s undeniable role in institutionalising many of the undemocratic practices we are still working to dismantle. As the architect of “do-or-die” politics, Obasanjo not only oversaw but also masterminded some of the most egregious electoral malpractices in Nigeria’s history. His infamous declaration that even Jesus Christ could not conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria is a testament to his cynical view of democracy.
“In 2003, Obasanjo conducted an election widely regarded as one of the most rigged in Nigeria’s history, securing a second term through brazen manipulation. By 2007, he orchestrated another deeply flawed election to impose a successor, an act that undermined Nigeria’s democratic foundation and credibility. It is, therefore, ironic for the man who perfected the art of writing election results to now claim moral authority on electoral credibility.
“Obasanjo’s history of state capture and abuse of power is unparalleled. His administration was marked by an intolerance for dissent, exemplified by the military invasions of Odi and Zaki Biam, which left countless innocent Nigerians dead and communities destroyed. He ignored the gruesome murders of political opponents like Chief Marshall Harry and Funso Williams, raising serious questions about his commitment to justice and accountability.
“This is the same Obasanjo who attempted to subvert the Constitution through a third-term agenda, using tons of cash to bribe lawmakers. He orchestrated the impeachment of governors with minority votes in state assemblies, sanctioned the illegal arrest of a sitting governor (Dr. Chris Ngige), and used state resources to oppress political opponents. His tenure as president remains a case study in authoritarianism, where the rule of law was routinely undermined.
“The former president’s disdain for institutions did not stop with INEC. He systematically weakened the legislature, removing Senate Presidents and Speakers at will, reducing the National Assembly to a puppet show. His failed bid to oust Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba was another instance of his disdain for democratic norms, involving the open distribution of bribes to legislators.
“Nigerians are not blind to the fact that Obasanjo has consistently attacked every leader who came after him, including Presidents Shagari, Babangida, Buhari, Abdulsalami, and Jonathan. Even the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which brought him to power in 1999, was not spared his venom, culminating in the public tearing of his membership card.
“The state of Nigeria today is in no small part due to the faulty foundations laid by Obasanjo’s administration. His attempts to rewrite history and position himself as a paragon of democratic ideals are not only laughable but also insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians.
“We, therefore, call on Nigerians to see through Obasanjo’s antics and focus on building institutions that work for all, devoid of personal vendettas or political theatrics. The challenges we face today require collective solutions, not the divisive rhetoric of a man whose own legacy is riddled with contradictions and failures.”
