2019: Nigeria scholars in Diaspora challenge Obasanjo over rigging allegation

The Association of Nigerian Scholars in the Diaspora (ANSD) has challenged a former President Olusegun Obasanjo to provide evidence on his alleged claims of plots to rig the elections.

A statement jointly signed by Prof. Bitrus Paul Gwamna, President and Prof. Pita Ogaba Agbese Secretary-General of the association, called on Nigerians to reject the alleged plot by the former President to discredit the forthcoming elections

The scholars affirmed that Nigerians deserve a better leader like President Muhammadu Buhari, who have laid a better foundation for a “next level”.

“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has all but condemned the elections as already rigged in favor of President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has made this condemnation without a scintilla of evidence.

“If Obasanjo’s statements on the elections were made from a non-partisan perspective, one could forgive him and say that his statements as misguided as they have been, were ill-advised but good intentioned. That is not the case.

“Obasanjo has been actively campaigning on behalf of Atiku Abubakar, one of the leading presidential candidates. In fact, Obasanjo’s zeal for the Atiku candidacy creates the impression that it is Obasanjo himself who is the candidate of the PDP,” it said.

The association also expressed disappointment at the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections five hours before balloting began last Saturday by the electoral umpire.

The scholars said the postponement had caused severe hardships to many Nigerian voters and candidates, especially those who traveled down to exercise their franchise.

“While we may wish to believe that INEC acted in the best interests of nation, the manner in which the postponement was done was inescapably untidy. After assuring the nation that it was ready to conduct the elections, INEC’s last minute decision to abort the process on February 16th left much to be desired,” the statement read in part.