Obasanjo speaks on alleged plot to scuttle Nigerian elections

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed hope that nothing will prevent the holding of general elections in February and March.

Mr. Obasanj expressed concern over the election while hosting members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Board of Trustees (BoT) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex, Abeokuta, Ogun State attic headquarters.

The former president stated this against the backdrop of concerns among Nigerians that public turmoil over the Naira note and fuel shortages could force the postponement of the election.

BoT members included its chairman Mani Ahmed, the party’s national chairman Ralph Nwosu and former presidential candidate Chukwuka Monye.

Mr. Obasanjo said: “We are in an interesting time in Nigeria. We are going to the polls in less than three weeks. Well, I hope nothing will interfere with that. In less than three weeks, we will elect a leader who will lead the affairs of Nigeria for the next four years from May. in the years

“And all of you in Nigeria, again, as I told you, early this morning, I have been in Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast since the beginning of the week, from Sunday and they are just as concerned about what is happening. As every Nigerian should be in Nigeria.”

Mr. Obasanjo said Nigerians should do all they can to ensure that the election goes as planned.

He also stated that the global community is interested in Nigeria holding the elections as planned.

“Before I left Abidjan last night, President Ouattara (Alassane) was telling me the position of West Africa where Ghana and Ivory Coast are competing. And he said to me: Well we are stopping after the Nigerian elections. So the Nigerian election is important to them too. And I think that for those of us who are directly involved, we can’t be less important than those people.

“Your party (ADC) is a significant party in this country and your voice is important. That’s why I understand why you are here and we are here as a family.”

Speaking earlier, the BoT chairman hinted at a possible partnership as the presidential election approaches.

He added that Nigeria is at a crossroads, a situation he said called for a meeting with the former president to chart new paths for a better Nigeria.

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“The time to unite according to the current electoral law is over. What we can see is how to join forces, how to collaborate and how to work as a united front to face the elections.

“Keep in mind, this is an election in Nigeria that will not be like what we have experienced in the past and therefore the impact of this kind of debate that we had today cannot be underestimated on the outcome of the election at the end of the day.

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“We haven’t made a final decision yet, but it’s clear that our party is looking at the possibility of making an agreement with any party, be it Labour, that will allow us to announce what kind of collaboration we will have. Party or otherwise.

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“I think that if we want to know what that advice is, we will not meet behind closed doors. For now, what I have said is all we can say, I said the situation is mild. In the next 48 to 72 hours, we have to come out clearly and say that this is the direction we are going and let it be so.”