More information about former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s support for Peter Obi to win Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election has come to light.
After denying writing a letter to British authorities advising against meddling in the 2018 elections, Obasanjo made headlines this week.
He apparently informed the UK that they were a contributing factor to Nigeria’s issues and stressed that this year’s race would not be conducted as usual.
The former head of state claimed on Friday that he could have sought a third term in 2003 if he had wanted to, despite rumours to the contrary in some circles.
Obasanjo urged the youths to drive out the old guards who have dominated the polity for decades in an incendiary New Year’s message two weeks ago.
“Wake up, band together, move forward, and get us to where we need to be.” It is now your time to shine, young person. In a covert reply to Bola Tinubu’s catchphrase, “Emi Lokan” (It’s my turn), he answered, “Eyin Lokan” (Your turn).
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate said it is his turn to lead Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari visited Ogun, Obasanjo’s home state, last year.
Obasanjo’s announcement that he would back Obi of the Labour Party (LP) was turned down by the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
An adviser to the former president further stated why his principle is working for Obi in a conversation with Obasanjonews24 in the run-up to the elections.
Obasanjo has long argued for a government that will tackle insecurity decisively while simultaneously fixing the economy, eliminating corruption from the system, and putting a stop to unequal hiring practises, among other things.
The former leader specifically does not want power to remain in the North, even if Nigeria is led by a reliable person. He wants the next president to come from the South.
As Buhari’s first term was coming to an end, the source said that Obasanjo still believed in North-South power rotation. This meant that support for Atiku Abubakar of the PDP in 2019 would not have lasted for two terms.
According to the source, Obasanjo is worried that if the South doesn’t win the presidency on May 29, secessionist feelings could come back in a big way.
In 2015, Baba backed the president because the nation required capable leadership. Before 2019, when he openly backed Atiku, he retracted his support after realising that his decision had fallen short of expectations.
At the moment, when the North still had eight years to go, he was the most formidable opponent. Buhari won the election, and his term will soon come to an end. After 2015 and 2019, how will Baba support another Northerner?
READ ALSO: Obasanjo is irate over allegations of inducement following Peter Obi’s support in 2023
“Look, Nigerians will comprehend better once Obasanjo’s generation passes away in roughly 10 years. It will be difficult to take (power from the north).They are familiar with the game and hold the majority of the votes.
Obasanjo’s existence explains why the race for the presidency in the South is so fierce. Who will be the powerful figures who will represent the South when they depart?
“Obasanjo is pushing for a southerner since a Northerner in the White House after 2023 could hold the position for up to 16 years.”
The source responded, “It’s his choice,” when asked about Obi’s decision to back him over fellow Southwesterner Tinubu and the discussions that followed his backing.
Why are they so angry? Let everyone respect the will of the people. The irony is that the majority of individuals who criticise him and their friends visit him both before and after elections.
“Obasanjo chose Obi because he is familiar with both of them, their qualifications, backgrounds, and other elements. Although not ideal, Obi is a better choice. Additionally, his region has never held the office of president, which, in Baba’s opinion, is unfair.
People like him are speaking up because they are aware of what happens when one region serves for longer than two terms at a time. There will be more agitation for separation.
“Obasanjo and others will not permit their sacrifice to go that way since they are aware of what transpired during the civil war.” It is not about politics or hatred of anyone that Baba is supporting Peter Obi; rather, it is about equity, justice, and fairness.
On February 25, Obi (from Anambra in the south-east), Atiku (from Adamawa in the north-east), Tinubu (from Lagos in the south-west), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (from Kano in the north-west) of the NNPP will face off.
Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that more than 93 million people were eligible to vote, the election is expected to have the highest turnout ever.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation has urged INEC to allow a system integrity test after over 3 million people had their Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) registrations cancelled.
The Automatic Biometric Identification System (ABIS) and Biometric Voter Accountability System (BVAS)—used for the governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun—aare unreliable, according to the Diasporans for Good Governance (DGG).
According to DDG member Christian Chima, “That same programme invalidated 2.78 million Nigerians and failed to track and eradicate the numerous incidences of underage voters, as you can see from the published register.”
INEC Chairman Prof. Yakubu Mahmood will speak on Tuesday at Chatham House in London on the difficulties and plans for holding the elections in 2023, security, and the use of ABIS and BVAS.
