Former President Olusegun Obsanjo has accused President Muhammadu Buhari
of getting judges on the side of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead
of the 2019 general election.
The former President, who spoke at a colloquium to mark the 70th birthday
of Josephine Anenih, former Minister for Women Affairs and Social
Development, said that the ruling party is converting the financial crime
agencies to instrument of fighting political opponents.
He said: “Some institutions created for normal administration and
dispensation of Justice, like the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices
and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Federal Inland Revenue
Service (FIRS) and the Ministry of Justice are being directed to
witch-hunt and pursue political opponents.”
“The use of intimidation, violence and physical attacks have started in
some states. It is understood that judges are already being intimidated so
as to prepare them to do the ruling party’s bidding in election petitions.
All there are visible in today’s practice of democracy in Nigeria.
“For me, that after almost 20 years of the beginning of the present
dispensation, it has not been derailed, is enough a development in
progress, even though there are many unpalatable practices and dangerous
signs that have shown their ugly heads, which is the strongest indication
that our democracy is alive, but it cannot be said to be hale and hearty.
Practitioners of democracy must be democrats…”
Obasanjo also campaigned for the active inclusion of women in the
political activities of the country and also called for an amendment to
the 1999 constitution to include 40 percent slots for women in government.
“In this present administration, there are 15 women members in the house
of representatives. It is not only unacceptable but makes mockery of
gender balance,” he said.
“There must be amendment of our constitution, not to allow any gender to
have less than 40 percent in any parliament. The health of our democracy
can be judged by the participation of women. Democracy is a system of
government that allows team spirit and debate before decisions are
reached; it is a government for all citizens to benefit without fear or
favour.”