A former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being complicit in what he described as a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s electoral process.
Bugaje made the strong allegation during an appearance on Channels Television while reacting to the controversial Electoral Bill recently signed into law by the President.
“They Are All An Accomplice”
The former lawmaker alleged that the executive arm of government acted swiftly to assent to a law he believes would enable electoral manipulation.
“The executive arm, including the President himself, from the speed with which he signed that law, they are all an accomplice in subverting the electoral process of this country. They are all an accomplice in designing an electoral law that will facilitate rigging.
“They are all an accomplice in subverting the popular will of the people, and this thing that they have done is well noted, and there will be repercussions. I don’t know where it’s going come, but everywhere in the world where such things have happened, there have been very serious consequences, repercussions.”
Accuses APC Of Subverting Popular Will
Bugaje argued that the government led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) was guilty of undermining the will of Nigerian voters.
He further alleged that political leaders were “obsessed with power” and driven by the desire to control state resources.
“These people cannot see the repercussions. They are so obsessed with power. They are so obsessed with the control that they now have for the state treasury and the way they dispense money the way they want.
“Nigerians are aware of who you are. This electoral law has shown who you are, and Nigerians are not going to take it lightly, and they are going to react.”
Criticism Of National Assembly, INEC
The former federal lawmaker, who also chairs the Movement for Credible Elections, criticised members of the National Assembly for passing the amended bill without providing for real-time electronic transmission of election results.
According to him, the omission amounts to insulting the intelligence of Nigerians, warning lawmakers against what he termed “cosmetic” electoral reforms.
Commenting on the recently concluded elections in the Federal Capital Territory, Bugaje stated that Nigerians have largely lost confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that the conduct of the polls did not inspire hope for improvement.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency and the APC had not officially responded to Bugaje’s remarks.