Mahmood Yakubu And The Rain Of Curses

By Chidi Matthew Nwachukwu

Few days into the month of February, the Obidient Movement (supporters of Mr. Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 presidential election) reached a consensus on the X (formerly Twitter) social media platform to rain curses on Mr. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ‘for conspiring with political desperadoes and power-grabbers to steal their mandate.’

The said Rain Of Curses which was scheduled for February 25th, was also to commemorate what the Obidients believed would have been the rebirth of Nigeria. Nigerians, many of whom were fed up with the situation of their country and yearned desperately for a breath of fresh air, reposed their hope on INEC and trusted it to conduct a free, fair and credible election that would throw up a quality leader for their country, but were greatly disappointed when it ended up conducting what turned out to be the worst election in Nigeria’s history.

The Obidient Movement was not going to allow the man who spearheaded such a sham of an election to go scot free. They were going to show the world how very disgruntled they were with the way and manner their mandate was stolen. They were going to destroy Mahmood Yakubu and his future generations with curses, and invalidate the argument that curses do not have effect. If they could not mete out physical punishment on Yakubu for robbing them of their inheritance, they could at least invoke spiritual powers on him, to deal with him according to the weight of his transgressions.

When the day of the cursing eventually came, Obidients all complied with the agreement. On that 25th of February, 2024, “Cursed be Mahmood” trended heavily on the X social media platform. The cursers implored all the powers and forces that they know to destroy Mahmood Yakubu. Some Obidients who were not contented with cursing Mahmood alone, added to the mix names such as those of the Justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court who presided over Peter Obi’s election petition cases, and the names of other prominent Nigerians (such as Nyesom Wike) who worked to install Bola Tinubu as president.

One Obidient who goes by the name Revolutionary Youth on X, and has the handle @torty_mercy posted: “The elements curse you! The land works against you. A smooth land will grow turns (sic) under your bare feet. The air will take your breath away. The waters will turn to blood in your mouth and acid on your body. As surely as the Lord lives Mahmoud Yakubu is marked for destruction.”

Another Obidient who goes by the handle @DRREAL01, added a clause to his own curse. This is what he had to say to Mahmood Yakubu: “Mahmood Yakubu, if you are innocent let no evil come near you. But if you actually rigged the 2023 election, today is judgment day for you. The air you breath (sic) shall be rigged away from your life, the soil you live on shall be a curse to you and your third and fourth generations…the water you take shall be death…you took away joy and celebration from millions of young people, may celebration depart from your life and that of your generation together with your accomplice….you shall never know peace….iseeee!!” And the curses poured in in torrents.

Now, in the light of all these, one may want to question the rationale behind this sort of act which many disinterested observers and opinionists have tagged ‘irrational.’ There were those who took the religious standpoint to disapprove of laying curses on people. Many Christians and Muslims on the X platform jointly condemned the cursing of the INEC chairman and tried to talk the Obidients out of embarking on “a futile activity that does not conform with the will of God.”

Now, the arguments on whether or not curses are potent and can work against the 'cursed' person have actually taken a lot of dimensions. Some people believe strongly that curses can be effective under certain circumstances, while some others do not subscribe to the school of thought that ascribes potency to curses; but whatever the arguments, there is one very crucial point of view that I consider as germane to this entire discourse, and it is the perspective of whether or not Mahmood Yakubu actually robbed Nigerians of their mandate. If Mahmood stole Nigerians’ mandate and sold it to the highest bidder, then it will only be proper to say Amen to all the curses heaped on him.

Going by all that transpired before, during and after the 2023 presidential election, one may be forced to agree with the Obidients that the election was compromised and that Mahmood deliberately bungled it to make sure that his preferred candidate won. It doesn’t matter that the courts awarded victory to Mahmood’s candidate, and it also doesn’t matter that Mahmood’s candidate has already taken power and has started to exercise it; what matters is that the people felt and still feel robbed by Mahmood and that their perception of INEC is flawed, tainted and very negative.

Nigerians have never really believed in INEC’s ability to conduct a free, fair and credible election, but the events of the 2023 presidential election further cast a dark shadow on INEC'S chances of ever redeeming its image and winning the trust of Nigerians. The 2023 presidential election which was supposed to be INEC’s golden opportunity to prove to the world that it is capable of conducting a flawless election, turned out to be its most-damning undoing. As it stands now, INEC has no reputation to its credit. While other countries are making tangible progress in the consolidation of their democracies through the effective workings of their electoral institutions, Nigeria is retrogressing against all the parameters and indices of democratic ratings, no thanks to its electoral institution that has sworn to never do the right thing. It is because INEC has incorrigibly and invariably failed to improve on its performance that our courts are always inundated with election-related cases.

Barrister Patrick Okereke Nwajah, while examining the implication of inundating the courts with election-related cases, stated that the courts do not really have any business with deciding the outcome of an election, adding that it is the electoral umpire that is saddled with the sole responsibility of conducting an election and deciding its winner. He emphasized that it is only when the electoral body fails to conduct a credible election that the contestants are forced to seek redress in court. He cited an example with the United States's presidential elections which are hardly ever contested in court as the Electoral College's verdict is always perfect and incontrovertible. He compared Nigeria’s election to Kenya’s, and praised the effort made by the country’s electoral body to bestow Kenyans with the leader of their choice.

So, by Barrister Nwajah’s submission, the inundation of the courts with election-related cases only shows that the electoral body is not doing its work well, and when the courts are overwhelmed with election-related cases, the judges are hardly ever able to attend to the several other cases that are equally begging for their attention. Nwajah concluded by asking, “Do you now see how the electoral body’s indiscretion can unsettle a nation’s entire architecture?” Indeed, the indiscretion of a country’s electoral body can destabilize the country’s smooth sail, and that is clearly the case with Nigeria at the moment.

In conclusion, Obidients may be seen by many as noisemakers and fascists, but that does not negate the fact that they love Nigeria and mean well for it, their radical views and modus operandi notwithstanding. If you must blame the Obidients for whatever actions they have taken in expressing their dissatisfaction with Nigeria's current situation, then you must also blame the persons, parties and institutions that have conspired together to bring the country to its knees, because if things were working as they ought to, there wouldn't have been this much discontentment among our highly energetic youths. If anything, the Obidients should be apologized to for being misunderstood, misjudged and mischaracterized.

Nwachukwu is an Abuja-based journalist and media consultant, and can be reached on X @Cmatencore. His email is cmatencore86@gmail.com

Yakubu is corrupt criminal. The BVAS and electronic transmission only achieved the exposure of the rot in the system..

Just look at the Rivers presidential election results and have a good laugh at Yakubu's foolery. It was televised daylight robbery.

Election is over u people should rest.

Nobi only obedient vote for that election.

I have never heard where a minority party, a party of 7 senators and 1 governor won an election anywhere in the world.

If it not delusion I don't know anyother name we can call it.

But we should not look at that of Anambra where one foolish soul signed for APGA APC PDP Labour etc

If that is not madness then this your comment as to be what madness is.

Dalohad:
Yakubu is corrupt criminal. The BVAS and electronic transmission only achieved the exposure of the rot in the system..

Just look at the Rivers presidential election results and have a good laugh at Yakubu's foolery. It was televised daylight robbery.

Judgementa1:
Election is over u people should rest.

Nobi only obedient vote for that election.

I have never heard where a minority party, a party of 7 senators and 1 governor won an election anywhere in the world.

If it not delusion I don't know anyother name we can call it.

Had it been u were a person of value, you wouldn't be limited hearing but rather elevated to seeing cos your place would be that of involvement in things that matter - but not.

You can see the level you are; and yet you felt your point is really a point ? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Confused set of people.

Election was not rigged in Lagos, it was not rigged in Abuja, It was not rigged in all the five southeast states because their candidate win in those places.

Successdude:


Had it been u were a person of value, you wouldn't be limited hearing but rather elevated to seeing cos your place would be that of involvement in things that matter - but not.

You can see the level you are; and yet you felt your point is really a point ? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

A person of value is someone who See's the truth and speak.

Someone who treat his own kingsmen as trash can not save his enemies.

Dalohad:
Yakubu is corrupt criminal. The BVAS and electronic transmission only achieved the exposure of the rot in the system..

Just look at the Rivers presidential election results and have a good laugh at Yakubu's foolery. It was televised daylight robbery.

Exactly! Mahmood ticks all the characteristics and attributes of a roguish character. It is only Nigerians who are not disposed to speaking the truth that will defend the sham election of 2023. Sometimes, it's better to ignore foolish people when they come with their gutter arguments. Some of them cannot brag of one meal a day, yet they can defend nonsense all their lives. If what Mahmood did to Nigerians is okay with you, then may you also partake in the curses rained on him!

Judgementa1:
Election is over u people should rest.

Nobi only obedient vote for that election.

I have never heard where a minority party, a party of 7 senators and 1 governor won an election anywhere in the world.

If it not delusion I don't know anyother name we can call it.

We will not rest! It is not your strength or energy that we are using to agitate against injustice. Your myopic perception of things is the reason your life has continued to be on the ground. You want us to rest when Nigeria has gone 200 miles backward from where it was when these crooks and rogues took power? You want us to rest when hunger lives and sleeps with poor Nigerians like yourself? The irony of this whole matter is that the people we are even fighting for do not realize that we are trying to save them from dying. The poorest people in Nigeria are the most opposed to the fight against injustice, and that leaves you wondering why poor people are like this. They are the ones that are the worst victims of bad governance, yet they are the first to defend bad government. Suffer no dey taya una?

Abeg make una shift make we see road fight against injustice. Nigeria is ours, and we must reclaim it by the power of God!

ChidiCmatencore:

Exactly! Mahmood ticks all the characteristics and attributes of a roguish character. It is only Nigerians who are not disposed to speaking the truth that will defend the sham election of 2023. Sometimes, it's better to ignore foolish people when they come with their gutter arguments. Some of them cannot brag of one meal a day, yet they can defend nonsense all their lives. If what Mahmood did to Nigerians is okay with you, then may you also partake in the curses rained on him!

This is pure hatred and tribalism at display.

Your tribesman Maurice Iwu conducted the worst election ever seen in this country.
Yet u people never seen anything wrong because he is ur brother.

If Mahmood deserve 10 curses Maurice Iwu deserve 1 million.

You people should purge urselves from hate.

UncleAyo:
Confused set of people.

Election was not rigged in Lagos, it was not rigged in Abuja, It was not rigged in all the five southeast states because their candidate win in those places.

This is how Batists and supporters of evil talk. You don't need to look too far to identify an unfortunate fellow who thinks he has a point to contribute when reasonable people are talking. I will not dignify you with a detailed response because I'm not going to school you on the facts you do not know. Keep wallowing in your stupidity and please don't ever stop supporting BAT. Keep on supporting him and the hunger that sleeps and lives with you will embrace you forever! Odè!!

ChidiCmatencore:


We will not rest! It is not your strength or energy that we are using to agitate against injustice. Your myopic perception of things is the reason your life has continued to be on the ground. You want us to rest when Nigeria has gone 200 miles backward from where it was when these crooks and rogues took power? You want us to rest when hunger lives and sleeps with poor Nigerians like yourself? The irony of this whole matter is that the people we are even fighting for do not realize that we are trying to save them from dying. The poorest people in Nigeria are the most opposed to the fight against injustice, and leaves you wondering why poor people are like this. They are the ones that are the worst victims of bad governance, yet they are the first to defend bad government. Suffer no dey taya una?

Abeg make una shift make we see road fight against injustice. Nigeria is ours, and we must reclaim it by the power of God!

Am a successful and hardworking person.

You choose to be lazy in life that why u stay online and wail.

Better start something doing with ur life.

Lastly fight for ur people selling their babies to eat and ur brothers doing drugs worldwide.

tell your people to stop tarnishing the country image.

Judgementa1:


This is pure hatred and tribalism at display.

Your tribesman Maurice Iwu conducted the worst election ever seen in this country.
Yet u people never seen anything wrong because he is ur brother.

If Mahmood deserve 10 curses Maurice Iwu deserve 1 million.

You people should purge urselves from hate.

So because Maurice Iwu committed a blunder 17 years ago, we should continue to have a repeat of such misfortune? So we should not move ahead from Iwu's error and make real progress in our democratic journey? Kai!! Your myopia is epic and of enormous proportion. And let me remind you, the Igbos did not approve of Iwu's disgraceful act. The Igbos clearly distanced themselves from that unfortunate incident. The Igbos are objective, logical and always on the right side of the divide. If you believe Iwu was right to have conducted a very bad election and that INEC should never move past their lapses and start conducting credible elections, then your brain needs psychiatric examination.

ChidiCmatencore:

So because Maurice Iwu committed a blunder 17 years ago, we should continue to have a repeat of such misfortune? So we should not move ahead from Iwu's error and make real progress in our democratic journey? Kai!! Your myopia is epic and of enormous proportion. And let me remind you, the Igbos did not approve of Iwu's disgraceful act. The Igbos clearly distanced themselves from that unfortunate incident. The Igbos are objective, logical and always on the right side of the divide. If you believe Iwu was right to have conducted a very bad election and that INEC should never move past their lapses and start conducting credible elections, then your brain needs psychiatric examination.

Show us where they did not approve of it.

Imagine sanity coming from people that has their brothers in prison worldwide for different drug related crimes.
Condemn your people destroying the country image first. I spit.

Judgementa1:


Am a successful and hardworking person.

You choose to be lazy in life that why u stay online and wail.

Better start something doing with ur life.

Lastly fight for ur people selling their babies to eat and ur brothers doing drugs worldwide.

tell your people to stop tarnishing the country image.

You are sick! You are demented!! Where have you seen my people selling their babies to eat? You, where are you from? Tell me, if you are proud of your lineage.
Tell me one of my people who has ever been caught trafficking drugs! You come here and make empty allegations and expect me to respond to such hullabaloo!
Yeye dey smell!!!

ChidiCmatencore:

You are sick! You are demented!! Where have you seen my people selling their babies to eat? You, where are you from? Tell me, if you are proud of your lineage.
Tell me one of my people who has ever been caught trafficking drugs! You come here and make empty allegations and expect me to respond to such hullabaloo!
Yeye dey smell!!!

It allover the internet google is your friend type your people names it will be displayed clearly, but wait! tribalism will not allow. Nonsense.

Judgementa1:


Show us where they did not approve of it.

Imagine sanity coming from people that has their brothers in prison worldwide for different drug related crimes.
Condemn your people destroying the country image first. I spit.

Guy, go and look for what to eat. The hunger in your stomach is causing you to type rubbish here. Don't waste your data because you won't be able to afford another one if you exhaust this one.
I don't have time for idle talks and unfounded allegations.

ChidiCmatencore:

Guy and look for what to eat. The hunger in your stomach is causing you to type rubbish here. Don't waste your data because you won't be able to afford another one if you exhaust this one.
I don't have time for idle talks and unfounded allegations.

An hungry man is an angry man which is what u're.

ChidiCmatencore:

This is how Batists and supporters of evil talk. You don't need to look too far to identify an unfortunate fellow who thinks he has a point to contribute when reasonable people are talking. I will not dignify you with a detailed response because I'm not going to school you on the facts you do not know. Keep wallowing in your stupidity and please don't ever stop supporting BAT. Keep on supporting him and the hunger that sleeps and lives with you will embrace you forever! Odè!!

Have you read for Jamb today? Go and take your book and read.

I've grown mentally beyond any limit to allow myself to be tagged by any political name. I did not even vote in the last election.

Your kind hate honesty and are too sentimental and emotional to ask yourself questions. Life is bigger than politics.

Your insulting me unprovoked shows the level of your intelligence.