By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

A group, the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has disagreed with former President Obasanjo over his call for the removal of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The group alleged that Obasanjo’s recent critique of Prof.Yakubu was not fair.

NAN in a statement issued by it’s Chairman Salihu Suleiman stated that it was not in order to alleged that the incumbent government cannot conduct credible elections in Nigeria, and to accuse the government of failing in this regard.

The group recalled that during previous administrations, there were numerous reports of irregularities, violence, and rigging in elections.

” In light of this, it is difficult to take … criticisms of the current government seriously.It is important to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and decisions….”

The group alleged that during past administration’s,it was witnessed where elections were marred by irregularities, where results were announced even as voters stood in queues.

“Such actions not only undermined the democratic ethos but also institutionalized corruption in the political fabric of Nigeria,” the group stated.

“The essence of leadership lies in accountability. It is imperative for leaders to acknowledge their legacies, both good and bad.”

NAN stated that criticisms on the current commission’s reliance on technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV), seemed misplaced.

The group added that the transition to a more technologically advanced electoral system is a complex endeavor that requires foresight, resources, and a commitment to reform—qualities that were conspicuously absent during previous administration’s.

“As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of electoral integrity, it is crucial for contemporary leaders to learn from the past. The current administration, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must prioritize the establishment of a transparent and accountable electoral process. This requires a concerted effort to address the root causes of electoral malfeasance, rather than succumbing to the distractions posed by past leaders…”