Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government was using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, to “witch-hunt” political opponents.
He said this while claiming that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government was intimidating judges to do their bidding on election matters.
Obasanjo spoke at a colloquium to mark the 70th birthday of Josephine Aenenih, former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development in Abuja.
According to Obasanjo, “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 these are visible in today’s practice of democracy in Nigeria.
“For me, that after almost 20 years of the beginning of the democeacy, 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 if you have a lot to be desired.”
