President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, who had once being the President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007 took a swipe at President Buhari accusing him of running an autocratic kind of government just like that that of General Sani Abacha.
The former President was reported to have released a 16 page statement which he titled “points for concern and action” which he released to journalists in his hometown, Abeokuta. Obasanjo has accused Buhari of taking Abacha as a role model as he has duly followed in the same track of imprisoning members of the opposition party. Obasanjo further accuses Buhari of intimidating and harassing the National assembly, the judiciary and even private sectors.
Obasanjo was quoted saying ” Today, another Abacha era is here. The security institutions are being misused to fight all critics of and opponents of Buhari and this action derails the democracy of the country”. The accusations didn’t end there, as he further claimed that president Buhari is using the EFCC, Nigeria Police and the code of conduct Tribunal to fight those criticising him. Obasanjo roars, Buhari is running an autocratic leadership which will only lead to anarchy and autoritarianism.
The former President who was a victim of Abacha’s regime suffering jail terms at different levels has cried out to well meaning Nigerians asking them to rise up and do exactly what they did during the time of Abacha. He further told press men that he has been threatened with arrest and extermination but he has promised no to be fazed by these threats.
In addition, Obasanjo has described the INEC as a body without integrity and terms them incompetent of conducting a free and fair election. He cited the Osun state election saying the rerun was very unnecessary. He advice the chairman of INEC, Prof. Yakub Manhood, to stand firm and carry out his duties without prejudice.
The APC replied the former president through the National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lanre Issa-onilu who ha’s pointed an accusing finger at Obasanjo saying “For eight years, all the elections he held and all government policies were determined by whatever mood he found himself. All institutions were heavily influenced by Obasanjo”. Onilu has quickly come to the defence of the APC, saying all the elections conducted so far have been credible. He claims that the APC should be praised for allowing independent institutions perform their duties without any form of hindrance.
Mr Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the President on media and publicity matters was quizzed on a programme organised by Channels television, also came to the defence of President Buhari saying his government is very democratic. Mr Adesina was asked of his opinion on the statement by Obasanjo claiming that the APC plans to rig upcoming elections, Adesina replied saying “Imagine that kind of allegation coming from somebody who told us in 2007 that the election would be allegation do or die affair”.
