Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the improper use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in Nigerian elections, especially during the 2023 polls.
Obasanjo pointed out that the problems were not caused by the technology itself but by deliberate human interference.
According to reports, the former president made these comments while delivering a keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University on November 15, 2024.
In his speech, he highlighted the ongoing leadership crisis in Nigeria and called for broad reforms to address the country’s governance challenges.
In his address, themed “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” Obasanjo revisited Chinua Achebe’s enduring assertion in The Trouble with Nigeria: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”
He referenced political scientists who have noted that bribery, intimidation, and violence are key factors that allow unqualified individuals to rise to leadership positions.
Obasanjo called for the creation of a governance framework centered on integrity, competence, and voter education.
Describing the 2023 elections as “a travesty,” he proposed several measures to restore public trust in Nigeria’s democratic system.
He stressed the need for legal reforms to strengthen electoral laws, administrative changes to ensure the integrity of election officials, and technological safeguards to protect election results.
Obasanjo also advocated for stricter ballot security, accurate voter registration, and enhanced cybersecurity to prevent election manipulation.
He emphasized the importance of preventing electoral violence and safeguarding voting infrastructure, which should undergo transparent, internationally monitored testing.
Obasanjo pointed to the urgent need to revitalize education as a foundation for democratic participation and effective leadership, quoting Nelson Mandela’s belief that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
He reiterated Chinua Achebe’s view that a thriving democracy requires an informed electorate and morally responsible leaders.
In his concluding remarks, Obasanjo warned against complacency, urging Nigerians and the international community to directly address the nation’s leadership and governance challenges. He stressed that Nigeria’s importance made its failure unthinkable, given its crucial role in Africa’s stability and prosperity.
Reflecting on Achebe’s perspective, Obasanjo argued that leadership failure is the core problem behind Nigeria’s struggles, worsened by systemic issues like electoral malpractice, terrorism, and corruption.
He expressed concern about Nigeria’s economic decline, noting that the country’s GDP had dropped from $510 billion in 2014 to $199 billion in 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund.
In contrast, he pointed out the achievements during his administration, where Nigeria’s GDP growth averaged 6.59%, peaking at 15.3% in 2002.
Obasanjo credited this economic progress to reforms in sectors like telecommunications, banking, and pensions, along with debt relief efforts, all driven by a capable leadership team.