The aftermath of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections has been greeted with mixed reactions from different quarters. While some have applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well done, others have expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process.
One of the notable voices of dissent came from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who recently wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, asking him to cancel the election results and conduct a fresh election. Obasanjo’s call for a new election has drawn sharp criticism from some individuals in the political circle.
Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), berated Obasanjo for his position on the election. Keyamo argued that the former president had lost his moral right to advise on the elections since he became a campaign spokesman. Keyamo’s statement implied that Obasanjo had been compromised and was no longer objective in his assessment of the election.
Similarly, Bashir Ahmed, a Personal Assistant to President Buhari on New Media, took to Twitter to express his disappointment at Obasanjo’s call for a new election. Ahmed questioned Obasanjo’s motive, asking if the former president wanted Buhari to interfere with the electoral process halfway.
Ahmed’s tweet highlighted the concern that some individuals have about Obasanjo’s intentions. There are fears that Obasanjo’s call for a new election is not borne out of a genuine concern for the country’s democracy but rather a ploy to disrupt the electoral process.
Obasanjo’s letter has further highlighted the deep political divide in the country. The call for a new election has been largely supported by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the call as baseless.
The call by Obasanjo for a new election has sparked a heated debate in the country, with some individuals supporting his position while others have criticized it. While it is important to ensure that the electoral process is free and fair, it is equally important to respect the verdict of the majority of the people.
The outcome of the election should be accepted by all parties in the interest of the country’s unity and stability.
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