Obasanjo criticizes the improper use of BVAS and IReV in Nigeria’s elections
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the misuse of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during Nigeria’s elections, particularly the 2023 polls. He clarified that the issues were not due to the technology itself, but rather the result of intentional human interference.
Obasanjo shared these views in a keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University on November 15, 2024. During his speech, he underscored Nigeria’s ongoing leadership crisis and called for comprehensive reforms to address the nation’s governance challenges.
Titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” his address revisited Chinua Achebe’s timeless statement from *The Trouble with Nigeria*: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Obasanjo echoed concerns raised by political scientists who have linked the rise of unqualified leaders to factors like bribery, intimidation, and violence.
The former president advocated for the establishment of a governance framework focused on integrity, competence, and better voter education. Describing the 2023 elections as a “travesty,” Obasanjo proposed several reforms to restore confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He called for legal changes to strengthen electoral laws, reforms to ensure the integrity of election officials, and the use of technology to safeguard election results. Obasanjo also supported tighter ballot security, accurate voter registration, and enhanced cybersecurity to combat election manipulation.
He stressed the importance of preventing electoral violence and protecting voting infrastructure, which should undergo thorough, internationally monitored testing. Additionally, Obasanjo highlighted the need to revitalize education as a pillar 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.”
Reaffirming Chinua Achebe’s view that a thriving democracy relies on an informed electorate and morally responsible leaders, Obasanjo concluded his remarks by urging Nigerians and the international community to take immediate action to tackle the country’s leadership and governance issues. He emphasized Nigeria’s strategic importance, warning that its failure would have grave consequences for Africa’s stability and prosperity.
Reflecting on Achebe’s insights, Obasanjo stressed that leadership failure remains at the heart of Nigeria’s challenges, exacerbated by systemic issues like electoral fraud, terrorism, and corruption. He also expressed concern over Nigeria’s economic decline, citing the drop in GDP from $510 billion in 2014 to $199 billion in 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund.
In contrast, he pointed to the successes of his own administration, which saw an average GDP growth of 6.59%, peaking at 15.3% in 2002. Obasanjo attributed this economic progress to reforms in telecommunications, banking, and pensions, as well as debt relief efforts, all of which were driven by strong and effective leadership.
