Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria; the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, on Tuesday, faulted the call by a legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), for the suspension of the 2023 general elections and the installation of an interim government in 2023.
The legal luminary had, at a press conference on Monday, asked that election be suspended until a new constitution was put in place. He also advocated for an interim government to replace the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
But senior lawyers, faulted Babalola.
Although the senior lawyers agreed that there was a need for a new constitution, they added that having an interim government in place would not augur well for the country.
Tayo Oyetibo said an interim government would destabilise the polity.
He stated, “I think Nigerians need a stable political environment and an interim government is unstable.
“The constitution is not the problem of Nigeria; our problem is with the operators of the constitution. Of course, there is a need for adjustment of the constitution. Our problem is never with the constitution. Great Britain has an unwritten constitution, yet the system is being run perfectly.”
Another lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa(SAN), said the emphasis should be on the restructuring of the country.
Adegboruwa stated, “I don’t agree with the revered legal luminary that we should have an interim government, especially consisting of past heads of state. That means the likes of Buhari and Babaginda, among others, will be part of that government and other people who have drawn the nation backward. What is it they have to offer that they didn’t offer while in power?
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“Rather than recycle those who have run the nation aground, there are younger and talented people who can move this country forward. I think what he was saying indirectly is that there should be restructuring before the election.”
Adegoke Rasheed (SAN), on his part said the call was not feasible.
He stated, “The constitution has mandated a periodic election and until that provision of the constitution is amended or there is a revolution overthrowing that constitution, it is not possible to have an interim government in place.
“It is a good idea we must have a new constitution but the call for an interim government is not practicable.”
Although Afenifere agreed with Babalola over the bad situation of the country, it nevertheless, said it was not in support of interim government.
Although Afenifere agreed with Babalola over the bad situation of the country, it nevertheless, said it was not in support of interim government.
“If you think there is an opinion that is worthy of being canvassed which is superior to what is in the 1999 Constitution, such opinion should be taken to the National Assembly and they will, through due process, amend our Constitution to factor in such an opinion.”
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Reacting to a question about the recent killing of a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Imo State, Uzodinma explained that INEC was not the initial target.
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