Obasanjo takes jab at Tinubu govt, says Nigeria’s failing state obvious

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current state under President Bola Tinubu, labeling the country’s status as a “failing state” marked by pervasive corruption and leadership failure.

Obasanjo made these remarks during his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

In a statement released by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo referred to President Tinubu with the epithets “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan,” a term popularized during Tinubu’s election campaign, to underscore what he views as lackluster leadership. He stated that the nation’s dire situation is evident to “every honest person.”

Delivering a lecture titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria”, Obasanjo warned that the nation is sinking deeper into insecurity, division, and underdevelopment. He attributed these issues to widespread corruption, mediocrity, and a lack of accountability.

“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, and disunity,” Obasanjo said. “The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated for all to see.”

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Drawing inspiration from Chinua Achebe’s 1983 treatise “The Trouble with Nigeria”, Obasanjo reiterated that the nation’s challenges stem from a failure of leadership. He dismissed notions that cultural or environmental factors are to blame, emphasizing instead the inability of leaders to rise to the occasion.

Obasanjo also accused political elites of engaging in state capture, a form of corruption where powerful groups manipulate national policies, laws, and resources for personal gain. He highlighted the sale of national assets at undervalued prices and the undue influence of interest groups in shaping Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.

“State capture is one of the most pervasive forms of corruption,” Obasanjo explained. “What is happening in Nigeria – right before our eyes – is state capture, where public institutions are subject to undue influence from vested interests.”

The former president criticized the intertwining of business and political elites through family ties, lobbying, and vote-buying, which he argued prioritizes private gain over public welfare. He warned of the long-term implications on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.

On a hopeful note, Obasanjo maintained that Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable, provided the nation’s leadership embraces accountability and reforms.

In honoring Chinua Achebe, Obasanjo praised the late literary icon for his lasting contributions to Nigerian society, describing him as “a great and distinguished Nigerian.”

The speech has sparked debate about Nigeria’s current trajectory and the responsibility of its leaders to address deep-seated challenges.

Ondo poll: APC buying votes with N10,000, PDP alleges

Dr. Eddy Olafeso, the Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council for the Ondo state governorship election, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of vote-buying in his unit at N10,000 per voter.

Olafeso, who spoke after voting at his polling unit 005 Olumekun compound, Ward 12, Idepe, Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo state, said the election was peaceful in his area.

According to him, ” We have been here around 8am and everything appears in line with the electoral law especially the area i voted but our fears is the APC that has not done anything for the people in the last four years are moulding up the process by paying N10,000 to each voters, we have witnessed it here and we have complained and it appears intractable.

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“For us, no matter the kind of profligacy they are introducing into the electoral process, truth will prevail in the final analysis.

“You know it is a long process and voting is the first stage , we are waiting for it to be uploaded into IREV, we are waiting to take our from E8CA to ensure that everything is appropriately recorded.

“Like I said, the only fear is the vote buying the APC is trying to entrench into the culture of voting in Nigeria.”

Ondo poll: APC buying votes with N10,000, PDP alleges

Ondo: INEC new challenge as 1.7 million votes decide next gov today

Today, 1,757,205 registered voters in Ondo State will head to polling stations across its 18 local government areas to elect a new governor who will steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.

This marks an increase in the number of registered voters compared to the 2020 election, which had 1,647,973 registered voters, of which only 580,887 votes were recorded.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness for the exercise, deploying 4,002 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices across 3,933 polling units, with 812 units on standby in case of technical hitches.