Presidency Says Obasanjo Letter Is Inciting, Could Truncate 2023 Polls

Federal Government has warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against truncating the ongoing 2023 presidential polls with his comments, which it regards as inciting and provocative.

On Monday night, Obasanjo said tension was building up in the country amid questions about whether the elections had been fair and transparent.

Information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in a statement on Tuesday, said Obasanjo’s February 26, 2023 open letter was a calculated attempt to undermine the electoral process.

He added that the letter aimed at inciting an inconclusive presidential poll and descent into anarchy.

The minister also alleged that Obasanjo’s letter was a wilful incitement to violence, adding that what was expected from an elder statesman are words and actions that douse the rising tension.

The minister asked Obasanjo to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the process of releasing the results of the polls.

Read Also:

Obasanjo Calls For Fresh Presidential Poll On March 4

Those who are aggrieved, according to him, should follow the stipulated legal procedure in the constitution.

Meanwhile, group of angry protesters have gathered outside the National Collation Centre in Abuja, to protest against the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to upload the results of the February 25 polls.

They carried placards denouncing INEC, alleging votes have been stolen.

Opposition parties have called for a fresh election, alleging that INEC has bungled the poll, an allegation the electoral body denied.

Meanwhile, a counter protest few metres away, backing the electoral body is full of voice outside the building in Abuja, where votes are being collated.

The Pro-INEC demonstrators are also carrying placards, one urged “Nigerians to stand up for democracy”, another advised INEC to “complete their job” as tension rises over the results.

This morning three opposition parties called for the results to be scrapped, wanting fresh elections.