The Nation Newspaper

Tag: former President Olusegun Obasanjo

  • ‘Youth should be involved in national development’

    Youths have been advised to be more involved in national development plans and programmes to help facilitate rapid growth in the country.

    Chief Executive Officer Core Media Services Olajide Adediran regretted that attention to youths on national development have not been sufficient, adding that more need to be done considering their role in any society.

    Adediran made this call during a presentation on the topic: The challenges of leadership and national development in Nigeria, during a two-day advanced leadership and management training programme for students running Masters of Public Administration (MPA), Lagos State University (LASU).

    Speaking at the Aderemi Makanjuola lecture theatre of LASU, Adediran bemoaned the lack of emotional intelligence among youths, advising them to start their leadership career from their respective communities.

    He made references to the first premier of the Western Region, the late Obafemi Awolowo, late Moshood Abiola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among others on how they utilised their youthful ages to find solutions to challenges they encountered during their time.

    “If you cannot influence people positively, there is no reason to lead them. Some leaders in Nigeria today lack emotional intelligence.

    “Young people like you play a crucial role in the prospect for development and that is why you should be involved in national development plans.

    “Young people should be involved at all stages of the projects and programmes including envisioning and planning process, adult mentors, education and allies which are needed to support young people’s efforts and enhance their measures to address poverty and unemployment.

    “It is a long journey and a long gap because as a nation, we are still battling with bad roads, poor water, and quality education which are something that should have been done for so long. Until we cross that path and have people get involved, development cannot just happen. The gap of involvement is there and we need the government to allow people cover that gap for us to witness that development,” he said.

    In his opening remarks, vice chancellor LASU Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun said leadership is about addressing issues affecting the people and finding lasting solutions to them, as well as developing the country to compete with others.

    Fagbohun, who was represented by his vice ( Academic), Prof Olumuyiwa Noah said: “It is imperative this training is coming at the beginning of a new administration in Lagos. We can say it anywhere today that Lagos State is different from other states in Nigeria because of the kind of leadership and development witnessed over the years,”

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE the Dean, Faculty of Management Science, Prof. Babatunde Yusuf, described followership challenge as one of the major problems militating national development.

    “In Nigeria today, we are having a problem of leadership; but today’s lecture shows we are also having followership problem. There is need to change our orientation and out culture if we want to move forward. National development cannot be achieved by relying on the leaders alone but we have to force them to get it right.

    “For us to get things right, the followers must also get things right because leaders emerge from them. That is why LASU will continue to contribute to discussions that will aide economic development and growth of Nigeria,” he added.

    Acting Head of Department, Public Administration, Dr. Omoniyi Ajulo also recommended transformational leadership as the solution to national development.

  • BMO: you can’t compare Buhari with Atiku

    The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), yesterday, slammed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s claim that his ex-deputy and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was better than President Muhammadu Buhari.

    BMO, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke in Abuja, said the comment of the former President was a crude joke, ridiculous and contemptible.

    The group said: “We are completely taken aback that someone who, ordinarily should be seen as an elder statesman, has continued to use his position to try to derail the country from the path of progress.

    “We note that while President Muhammadu Buhari has used his four years in office to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s sustainable growth, Obasanjo, as Nigeria’s President for eight years created instability by removing Senate presidents and state governors at will.

    “It should be restated that throughout Buhari’s four years in office we have not witnessed a state of emergency in any state, and neither has the administration masterminded the unceremonious removal of any Senate president or state governor.

    “We also recall that Obasanjo’s era was characterised by unbridled corruption with the introduction of Ghana-must-go bags at the National Assembly. Similarly, Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the monumental sleaze that surrounded the power sector contracts under former President Obasanjo, nor the unethical use of his position to build a multi-billion naira presidential library.”

    The group recalled that former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had said corruption under former President Obasanjo was worse than the era of the late General Sani Abacha.

    It said: “Many Nigerians are also aware that Obasanjo is responsible for the myriad of problems facing the country today, and rather than make recompense for his sins, he continues to arrogate unmerited knowledge and wisdom to himself.

    “We consider it totally unwarranted for Obasanjo to deride the person of President Muhammudu Buhari who Nigerians have freely given their mandate for another four years. Former President Obasanjo’s outbursts are, therefore, a distraction, which must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians are yet to recover from the corruption that Obasanjo bequeathed to the country, and President Buhari is presently cleaning the Augean Stable. The least Nigerians expect of the former President is to join hands in rebuilding the country from the ruins of PDP’s pillaging over a period of 16 years, eight of which were under Obasanjo.

    “We, therefore, consider the remarks of the former President as a face-saving tactic following the defeat of his preferred candidate, Atiku Abubakar at the presidential poll”.

    The group described as fallacious, despicable and of no consequence, the ranking of Nigeria as the sixth miserable country in the world, saying the ranking was not a true reflection of the situation on the ground, and data for the survey must have been collated from old, archaic sources.

    The group said Steve Hanke and other individuals behind the index did not take into proper account innovation introduced by the Buhari-led Federal Government into governance before arriving at their position.

    Read also: Atiku’s suit lacks merit, bound to fail- BMO

    They said: “A cursory look at the explanatory note by Steve Hanke in the Forbes magazine in which he revealed that the index was calculated using economic indices, such as unemployment, inflation and interest rates banks charge on loans, show how wrong his conclusion was.

    “The index is said to be that of 2018 but the country recorded a number of positives in the same year on the economic front. It was the year that Nigeria had a major decline in inflation figure so much so that the rate is now 11.37 per cent. It was the culmination of a landmark 18-month consecutive decline to a level that is one of the lowest in Africa.

    “We also know that a lower inflation rate has a way of impacting positively on banks’ lending rates and that’s exactly what has happened with the recent reduction in Monetary Policy Rate, yet the index scored Nigeria lower than some countries ravaged by war!”

    BMO, insisted the misery index was neither a true nor accurate reflection of the situation on ground in the country.

    “The authors of the index claimed they pinned their rating of Nigeria largely on the employment figure and while we concede that the number in the public domain has not been flattering, we are convinced that it is not a fair reflection of the job situation.

    “Nigeria’s unemployment data put together by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) are not known to cover jobs created in the informal sector and this is an area that the Buhari administration has excelled in the last three and half years.

    “Aside from the rice revolution that has created about 12 million new farmers in recent years, the Buhari administration has introduced one of the continent’s largest social welfare schemes that has impacted the lives of millions of farmers and traders through Farmer Moni and Trader Moni.

    “About nine million jobs have been created by the Home Grown Feeding Programme … These are not figures plucked out of the air…’’ They are real people reaping the benefits of initiatives that were hitherto unknown in the country,” it said.

    “Inspite of what opposition elements and their supporters would want less discerning Nigerians to believe, the economy has continued to show signs of recovery from the 2016 recession. GDP growth rate in 2018 was 1.93% up from 0.8% in 2017. It has now been projected to rise to 3% in 2019.

    BMO also noted that it was not surprised that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) latched on the misery index to again take potshots at the Buhari administration so soon after local media published it.

    “Although we at BMO were not surprised, we were certainly amused to see yet another thoughtless statement from the party that is yet to come to terms with its overwhelming rejection by Nigerians.

    “We know that in its quest to remain on the front pages, PDP and its leaders are prepared to celebrate and solicit response to any news item that has the slightest hint of negativity about Nigeria.

    “But there is no way their brusque style can erase the fact that President Buhari spent a large part of his first term in office cleaning up the mess that characterised 16 years of PDP misrule.”

  • Obasanjo in Ibadan, pays tributes to Nwagwu over book immortalising wife

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in Ibadan  commended the literary  prowess of Prof.  Mark Nwagwu in his latest work,  “ Time Came Upon Me.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasanjo spoke at the presentation of Nwagwu’s   book which he dedicated to the memory of his wife, Prof . Helen Nwagwu.

    Obasanjo, who  described the late Helen Nwagwu as his close confidant,  stated that he had often  reminisced on the love and friendship that existed between the couple and which resulted in her husband  immortalising her.

    “The book launch is part of the celebration of life. Mark, I know you have not only lost your wife but you have lost a friend and a confidant.

    “The consolation is that she is resting in the bosom of our Lord; may her gentle  soul to continue to rest in peace,” Obasanjo said.

    The book’s reviewer, Prof.  Remi Raji-Oyelade, also commended the poet for setting an unprecedented record of being the only one who had  penned four collections of poems dedicated to his wife.

    “I titled this review as  ‘Time Came Upon Me to How to Love a Woman Forever.’’

    “  Mark Nwagwu has been able to dedicate and devote  his collection to his wife,  Prof.  Helen Nwagwu,  who lived between March 1943 and  March 2018.

    “It is a unique feat by an African poet and notably is his consistency which revolves around the theme of love in an ever refreshing forms and perspective.

    Read also: Nigerian students, others contribute $42.4bn to U.S. economy

    “It does not fall into a tedious monotony either as a volume or in relation to other collections before it, ‘’he said.

    Nwagwu in his response appreciated God for the past one year since the demise of his wife, saying  the publication was to preserve her memory.

    “I thought there is no better time to present this book than now at the one year anniversary of my dear wife,” Nwagwu said.

    NAN reports that the book ‘Time Came Upon Me’ by Nwagwu has 94 poems.

    Other works of the author are Helen Not of Troy, Cat Man Dew and HelenaVenus.

    Nwagwu and his wife  retired from the University of Ibadan. (NAN)

  • Osun: Obasanjo congratulates Adeleke, lauds tribunal

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday congratulated Sen. Ademola Adeleke over  his victory at the Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday in Abuja.

    A statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday quoted the former president as commending Adeleke for his “statesmanship in going to court to seek justice.

    He described the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate decision to head to court as the right thing to do in a democracy.

    “This is the right and proper thing to do in any decent society.

    “Going to court must be encouraged and not discouraged as some people are now attempting to do.

    “While I have refrained from commenting on the 2019 elections because one of the parties has gone to court.

    “May I point out that those who call themselves our development partners and friends and preach sacrificing justice on the altar of so-called stability are enemies of justice, democracy and Nigeria.

    “We will continue to sustain Nigeria in stability and unity on the altar of justice, equity, fairness, freedom, human rights and democracy.

    ” Stability cannot be successfully built on injustice, corruption, inequity, and divided nation, and incompetence, nepotism and one-sidedness.

    “Nigeria will march forward with or without those who will want to feed us with diet of values and actions that are not acceptable in their own countries.

    “Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians. We will respect as friends those who believe that what is good for their country should be good for Nigeria.

    “Yes, we are Africans, but we have values that are consistent with international standards,” he said.

    According to Obasanjo,  the court is part of Nigeria’s democratic process and must be approached by anybody who wants to get justice.

    “Court is part of our democratic process and it must be used when necessary if only to achieve justice, stability, unity and progress for our country,” he said.

    Obasanjo also commended the tribunal for “its courage in nullifying what was clearly an illegality.

    “This action by the judicial officers, albeit a first step in the legal process, gives renewed confidence in the judiciary at a time when there are coordinated efforts by some political leaders to undermine, if not destroy, it.

    “As I have repeatedly said, the world is watching events in Nigeria with keen interest.

    ” What we do or do not do right in our electoral process will have implications not just for Nigeria but for Africa and indeed the world.

    ” By correcting what was clearly a desperate attempt to change the will of the Osun people, the tribunal has saved Nigeria from great embarrassment and started the process of saving and strengthening our democracy.” (NAN)

  • Obasanjo denies collecting N40, 000 yearly as NOUN lecturer

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday denied collecting N40, 000 yearly as a facilitator at the National Open University of Nigeria(NOUN).

    Obasanjo was responding to a newspaper report attributed to NOUN’s Vice –Chancellor  Prof. Abdalla Adamu that the university pays him N40, 000 annually as one of its facilitators.

    But Obasanjo, in a statement signed by his  Spokesperson Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abuja yesterday, stated that his service at the university was free and without charges.

    The former President stated that he has not received any money either as salaries or otherwise from the university and not planning to do so now or in the future.

    Chief Obasanjo described the report as “embarrassing, uncharitable, mischievous and in bad taste.”

    The statement reads: “The attention of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has been drawn to a newspaper report, published on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 with the headline ‘Obasanjo earns N40,000 as NOUN lecturer –VC.’

    “Ordinarily, this will have been unnecessary exercise, if it has been the usual shenanigans of the media to sell their newspapers, but, the very clear quotation of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdalla Adam on the headline made this clarification imperative and to set the records straight on His Excellency’s engagement with the University.

  • Obasanjo to Makinde: Don’t pocket Oyo state govt.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday advised the Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, not to run a Democratic system that would put the government of the state in his pocket.

    Obasanjo said Makinde has the onerous task of striving to transform the capital of former old Western Region, urging the people to keep supporting him to succeed when eventually sworn-in.

    The elder statesman gave the advice when he received the Governor-elect, his Deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, Oyo state chairman of PDP, Kunmi Mustapha, Bose Adedibu, wife of late Lamidi Adedibu, Lagos state PDP chairman, Dominic Agboola among others at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

    The ex-Head of States described such government that serves narrow interest as “democratic so sa po”, meaning pocketing democratic system for personal gains against true democratic system.

    He also advised Makinde to shun corruption.

    “Be transparent and embark on developmental projects, which would be a delight to the people of Oyo state. Please run a government that will be making them ask, where have this type of government been all these years in Oyo state.

    “You must give them something (positive), you must give them good democracy and not that one my younger brothers will call democratic so sa po’ (pocketing democracy).

    “Where there is misunderstanding, call yourselves( your people) together and make peace in the overall interest of Oyo state.

    “He cannot do it alone and since you have supported him now, you should continue to be together. You should be mindful that Oyo people are fearless and they don’t mind, whose oars is gored, that is why you are there now,” Obasanjo stated.

    He promised to support the incoming new government and be available anytime his service is needed.

    In his response, Makinde said the visit was meant to appreciate Baba Obasanjo and seeks wisdom from the elder statesman.

    The Governor-elect admitted that Oyo state was “in a bad shape but pledged to apply wisdom to make things better.

    “He had warned against corruption and transparency. We are very much aware of this too. With God, Oyo state will never be the same again. This is the type of visit that will give us the needed tonic to forge ahead positively in Oyo state,” he said.

    The former Deputy Chairman (South) of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George who facilitated the visit, said he called Obasanjo barely 24hours ago to fix the appointment.

    “I want to thank him for granting us audience within the short notice,” George said.

  • Obasanjo: why I won’t stop attacking Buhari

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said he would not stop criticising the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari until it begins to do the right things.

    Obasanjo said he has held the nation’s mantle of leadership longer than any past or present leader, advising those pressuring him to give up criticising Buhari to also tell the President to run the country the right way.

    The ex – Head of State spoke at a public lecture to  mark his 82nd birthday. The venue was at the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The elder statesman was reacting to comments by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, during the ceremony, that he should  leave President Buhari  to concentrate on the onerous business of governance.

    Oba Gbadebo at the lecture organised by the Center For Human Security and Dialogue, an arm of the OOPL, to mark Obasanjo’s birthday, pleaded with the ex – President to relax his criticisms of Buhari’s  government, reminding him that Buhari was his(Alake) boss in the military.

    “You all know that I was an officer under General Buhari so each time Obasanjo criticises my boss, I always stand to say my senior (OBJ), please leave the President alone! At 82, baba is still fighting on, please fight less and be a consultant to everybody,” Oba Gbadebo had said.

    But replying, Obasanjo urged the Egba monarch to tell his boss (Buhari) to do the right thing in the way he governs the country lest he keeps getting bashing from him.

    Obasanjo, who noted that he was also a boss to President Buhari, said there was nothing personal in all his criticisms of the president.

    Noting that governments in African continent have no alternative to democracy, the Octogenarian stated that criticisms and “saying the other side” of any government’s policies are part of the beauties of democracy.

    Obasanjo said: “I believe that Africa has no alternative to democracy, good governance and development, growth and progress of our economy. We have none and if that is not happening in any country, those who keep quiet about it are accomplices to the crime.

    “You see, in a democracy, you criticise a policy of government because it is not a family affair. Even if it is my brother that is there and he is not doing what I think he should do, he must be criticised. That is what democracy is all about: criticisms; saying the other side.

    “So, if I say anybody in government in Nigeria or any government for that matter is not doing well, let that government prove that he is doing well. So, Kabiyesi, your boss, Buhari; there is nothing personal between me and him. Just as he is your boss, I am also his boss with due respect.

    “The point is that I have been in that position longer than any Nigerian could ever be there. That is the truth because if any Nigerian comes in now and have two terms, he will not have almost four (4) years of military rule.

    “I have been there longer than any Nigerian will ever be there. So, when I say something, I know what I am talking about. So, Kabiyesi, anytime you say ‘leave my boss alone’; I agree, he is your boss, but I am also his boss. So, you might also ask your boss to leave his boss alone or do what is right that his boss wants him to do.”

    However, at the lecture titled: “Colonialism, Apartheid, Freedom and South Africa Rising”, the guest lecturer and who is the President of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in South Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi (MP) eulogised Obasanjo, saying his legacies are all written in gold for present and future generation of Africans.

    Buthelezi, who is also the traditional Prime minister for the Zulu Monarch and Nation, said  Obasanjo has continued to offer his vast experience, wisdom and insight for the sake of freedom, democracy, social justice and economic growth of humanity.

    “And who is better to write on a subject of such central importance to Africa than former President Olusegun Obasanjo?

    “Under his leadership as President of Nigeria, the GDP of Nigeria grew phenomenally. Any President who can secure economic growth for their country, provides their people with the two things most needed: development and hope,” Buthelezi said.

     

     

  • Buhari felicitates with Obasanjo at 82

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “a passionate and great patriot who deserves accolades for his immeasurable contributions to our democracy and national unity.”

    In a statement to mark Obasanjo’s 82nd birthday, President Buhari acknowledged that “regardless of our political differences with Obasanjo, I still hold him in the highest esteem because his contributions to the development of the country overshadow those differences.”

    Read also: Jonathan greets Obasanjo at 82

    The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, quoted President Buhari as saying, “Chief Obasanjo gave a good account of himself and inspired his juniors with his wit and other leadership skills.

    “Nigeria’s successful transition to democratic rule in October 1979 was one of Obasanjo’s remarkable contributions to national development.

    “As he celebrates his 82nd Birthday Anniversary, I wish Chief Obasanjo more good health, knowledge and wisdom in the service of Nigeria and humanity.’’(NAN)

  • Losers should bow out gracefully – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised would-be losers in the ongoing Presidential and National Assembly elections to concede defeats.

    Obasanjo who voted at ward 11, polling unit 22, Abeokuta around 11: 04am, said there would definitely be winners and losers.

    But he urged contestants to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.

    According to him: “Winners to show spirit of magnanimity while losers should also bow out gracefully.”

    On his assessment of the exercise, he said: “I believe in my own polling station, there was a small delay, the material arrived late for about two hours which can be accommodated, other than that, the process went smoothly.

    Read also: PDP ready to accept results in good faith -Tambuwal

    “I went through the card reader with my PVC and my photograph appeared then we had a bit of problem sorting out my thumb print and then when they were about to sort it out, they made me go through the process of voting, they gave the ballot paper for the Presidential, Senatorial and the House of Representatives.

    “It was very orderly even though there are many people waiting, waiting either to cast their votes or waiting to welcome me because now I vote in my own compound where I was born.”

    He added: “In any competition there will always the winners and losers. What anybody in any competition must be prepared for as a good sportsman is to have the mind that says if I win, I show magnanimity, if I lose, I will also bow out graciously.

    “That is what any competition is all about. You can’t say if you are going into any competition, you must win at all cost then it is no longer a competition.”

  • Fears over Obasanjo’s link with foreign poll observers

    There is anxiety in political circles over the composition of some of the international observer missions deployed in the country for the general elections. The presidential election is slated for Saturday.

    The popular thinking is that former President Olusegun Obasanjo may have been influential to the composition and emergence of some of the chairmen of some of the observer groups.

    The ex-President, who is backing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is suspected to have sold an agenda to these observers, based on a  perception of what a source described as a “willy-nilly” regime change.

    Some of the groups are suspected to be in the country to “work to the answer” by prejudging the election as “not free, fair and credible” — a perception that has been debunked.

    But it was gathered that the Federal Government is “paying keen interest” to their activities.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited 144 observer groups, including 116 domestic and 28 international teams.

    The foreign groups are:  African Bar Association;  African Parliament of The Civil Society; African Union; British High Commission; Democrat Union of Africa; ECOWAS; Elections Cameroon, Republic of Cameroon; and the  Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa.

    Theere are also Embassy of France; Embassy of Japan; Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Embassy of The Republic of Korea; European Centre for Electoral Support; European Union; German International Agency;  High Commission of Canada;  and the International Foundation For Electoral System.

    The International Human Rights Commission; International Peace Commission; International Republican Institute; the National Democratic Institute; the Network for Solidarity; and the Empowerment and Transformation for All were also accredited to cover the elections.

    Other international observers are Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation; Pan African Women Projects;  Pan African Youth Training and Enlightenment Centre;  Queen Zara Foundation for Human Resources Development; The Commonwealth; and the United States Embassy.

    Some of the observer groups are being led by some ex-leaders, including  ex-Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete (Commonwealth Observer Group); former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (African Union);  ex-Liberian President Ellen  Johnson-Sirleaf (ECOWAS); and Maria Arena (the Chief Observer, European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria).

    Ms Arena is a member of the European Parliament from Belgium. Kikwete is “a well known friend of Obasanjo” a source said, adding: “He was regular at the Ota Farm House Dialogue in the eighties. They even worked together at the African Union on the NEPAD programme.

    Obasanjo is also believed to be close to Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf. “We all know Nigeria’s role in Liberia during the Obasanjo Presidency,” the source said, pleading not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the media.

    Another source spoke of an intelligence report that some of the observer groups are in Nigeria to work in line with “pre-determined agenda” of their countries. Besides, the source noted that it was wrong for some ambassador to be moving round the country on “election tourism” without the foreign minister’s permission.

    The Federal Government had last week raised the alarm that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) was planning to send a delegation to some western capitals.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The security report available to the government indicated that some foreign observer groups are already biased and they are in the country to act out a script already written for them.

    “Some countries already accused of interfering in the internal affairs of Nigeria have exerted much influence on the observer missions to discredit the poll.

    “These groups have prejudged the election as not free, fair and credible. This is going to be their ultimate verdict, irrespective of what the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) does.

    “The most disturbing in the security report is the fact that some chairmen and members of these observer groups have links with a former President who is suspected to have influenced their choices for a purpose.

    “A few of them had been visiting the ex-President in the past and some were even helped to power through the international goodwill of the ex-leader.”

    The intelligence source added that some of the observers may have been playing into the hands of those plotting “an electoral stalemate and drag Nigeria into a political crisis to put an interim government in place”.

    “They are ready to do whatever they can to get President Muhammadu Buhari out of power.”

    Responding to a question, the source said the surveillance on some observer groups showed that they were violating the code of conduct put in place by INEC.

    On its website, INEC says: “All accredited observers shall abide by the code of conduct for election observers, which is available for download on the INEC website (www.inecnigeria.org).

    “INEC reserves the right to cancel and withdraw the accreditation of any organisation if its members or agents breach the code of conduct.’’

    But some missions have already assured Nigerians that they will be impartial.

    The  Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group, Dr. Jakaya Kiwete, on Monday said the mission will be impartial in its assessment of the elections.

    He said the group will  issue an interim statement on its preliminary findings on the first set of elections on February 18.

    He said the18-man team of observers was  drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

    They were deployed to observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and the results management processes.

    This is the sixth time a Commonwealth Observer Group will be observing elections in Nigeria since 1999.

    Kikwete, a former President of Tanzania,  made the clarifications  in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of anxiety over the roles of the group and others.

    He  said: “Our Group was constituted following an invitation from the Independent National Election Commission, drawing together 18 eminent persons from across the different regions of the Commonwealth, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

    “We come in our own individual capacities, bringing a wide range of expertise in the areas of election administration, political development, law, human rights, civil society, gender, youth, as well as media.

    “As a group, we are here to observe the organisation and conduct of the election process as a whole, and will form an impartial and independent assessment of its credibility.

    “The Commonwealth Observer Group will consider the pre-election period, polling day itself, as well as the post-election period. Our main task is to assess whether the elections have been conducted according to the national, regional and international standards to which Nigeria has committed itself, including its own laws.

    “On election day, we will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and the results management processes.”

    The group will submit a final report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and, thereafter, share with the Government of Nigeria, INEC, political parties, Commonwealth governments, then make it public.

    The group expressed hope that its presence will confirm the unwavering solidarity of the Commonwealth with Nigeria as the country conducts the elections.

    The group however encouraged all citizens to “play their part in ensuring peaceful and credible elections this weekend.”

    The Head of EU EOM, Maria Arena, said: “It is a great honour for me to lead this important EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria. I am hopeful that our observation will provide a meaningful contribution to the electoral and democratic process in Nigeria.”

    In a statement, the EU EOM said: “The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country.  The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in Nigeria since 1999. Thus, this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for the 2019 general elections.

    “EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis, and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.”

    But the Buhari Media Organisation( BMO) has cautioned Kikwete against being used by Obasanjo former President.

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    A statement  by the Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary of BMO,  Cassidy Madueke, the group said: “Many Nigerians are worried that the head of the Commonwealth observer group may be swayed by Obasanjo’s skewed pre-election position that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not have the integrity to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    “This concern, we know, is as a result of the long-standing friendship between the two former Presidents which began long before Kikwete became the head of the Tanzania government in 2005. But we are encouraged by the values that the Commonwealth holds sacrosanct, and the fact that the head of the election observer team has a track record as a peacemaker, especially in the Great Lakes region of East Africa.

    “So we hope that Kikwete would resist the pressure that will surely come from former President Obasanjo who believes that he has a divine role to determine the winner of the Presidential election.”