Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that some 2023 presidential aspirants have already started lying to Nigerians and should be ignored at the polls.
According to Chief Obasanjo, the claims by many aspirants that their nomination forms were purchased for them by some youths or a particular group is false, adding that many youths are not able to afford the heavy price tags political parties have slammed on their forms.
He added that such aspirants even if they eventually become candidates of their parties should not get the votes of Nigerians, querying why they need to lie to the people.
Naija News understands the former Nigerian leader made the submission in Lagos State during a colloquium to mark the 61st birthday of Pastor Itua Ighodalo.
He said, “Today, they are paying N40m. Some of them (aspirants) even said it is some youths who bought it for them.
“In fact, anybody who would come out to tell you such a lie, you shouldn’t vote for him. Which youths gathered N40m? If you want to buy it, buy it and tell us. You don’t need to lie to us.”
Though Obasanjo didn’t mention any particular name, the likes of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi have all claimed some groups contributed money and purchased the presidential nomination forms for them.
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has declared interest in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
In a statement released on Thursday, the former governor stated that he would be contesting to be the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer in next year’s election.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News