Civil society group, Congress for Rights Of Yoruba Nationalities (CROYN), has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent comments on the Court of Appeal judgments in Zamfara, Kano, and Plateau states. In a statement, CROYN labeled Obasanjo's remarks as "inciting" and condemned his actions as "affront on the judiciary" and "utterly irresponsible."
The Court of Appeal had nullified the electoral victories of the governors of the three states, a decision that sparked controversy and debate. However, CROYN believes that Obasanjo's comments have the potential to incite violence and create instability in the affected regions. The group has called on the Federal Government to intervene by reprimanding the former president.
CROYN further urged security operatives to take action by inviting Obasanjo for questioning, holding him accountable if any violence ensues in the affected states. Additionally, they called upon Nigerian leaders and the Association of Former West African Leaders, headed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, to address Obasanjo's behavior before the situation escalates.
Highlighting the importance of promoting peace and unity, CROYN emphasized that Obasanjo should follow the example set by previous Nigerian leaders, such as Abdulsalam Abubakar, Yakubu Gowon, and Jonathan, who have used their experiences and positions to foster harmony and unity within the country.
The group questioned Obasanjo's claims of non-partisanship, accusing him of being partisan in his actions since the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election. They allege that his current divisive rhetoric stems from his candidate's loss and his determination to undermine the winner through any means necessary, including inciting violence.
CROYN also raised doubts about Obasanjo's credibility in reviewing court judgments, highlighting that the former president lacks the moral and legal authority to question decisions made by courts with constitutional and competent jurisdiction. They argued that such criticism only promotes anarchy, preventing those with legitimate grievances in elections from seeking recourse through the courts.
The statement concluded by urging Obasanjo to realize the importance of playing opposition politics with decency and constructive discourse, while also considering the fear of God in his actions. CROYN expressed concern that Obasanjo's actions appeared to be driven by his long-standing animosity towards a certain political figure, masquerading as opposition politics.
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