Estimated reading time: 7 minute(s)
Sodiq Mojibola, Peace Adedigba
Constitutional lawyer Festus Ogun has warned against attempts to stop the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as President of Nigeria, stating that it would be a “gross abuse of the court process.”
Ogun’s comments came in response to a Twitter post that has since garnered over 13.9k views.
According to Ogun, arguments and insinuations that the electoral process was flawed and that the President-elect should not be inaugurated were nonsensical.
“Approaching the court to stop Bola Tinubu’s inauguration is a gross abuse of the court process. These arguments and insinuations that the President-elect ought not be inaugurated because of the flawed electoral process and pending cases at the Tribunal are nonsensical.”
He stressed that Nigeria was operating a constitutional democracy where the rule of law must prevail over personal views.
Ogun further argued that once the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declares a winner, there is a presumption of regularity in favor of INEC, which can be rebutted at the Tribunal. He maintained that while waiting for the outcome of cases in court, the President-elect should be inaugurated and begin the administration of the country.
The lawyer also highlighted the importance of allowing the law to take its course, even if it does not favor certain political interests.
He warned against institutionalizing tyranny, violence, and chaos, saying that Nigeria could not afford to compromise the standard of peace and order provided by the Constitution.
Ogun concluded by stating that if Tinubu was successful at the Tribunal, he should be allowed to continue governing. However, if the Tribunal declared that someone else was the winner, Tinubu would be mandated to leave office immediately, unless he was exercising his right of appeal.
He warned against institutionalizing tyranny, violence, and chaos, saying that Nigeria could not afford to compromise the standard of peace and order provided by the Constitution.
Ogun concluded by stating that if Tinubu was successful at the Tribunal, he should be allowed to continue governing. However, if the Tribunal declared that someone else was the winner, Tinubu would be mandated to leave office immediately, unless he was exercising his right of appeal.
“If the Tribunal declares that Obi or Atiku is the winner of the election, then Tinubu is mandated to leave office immediately, if he is not exercising his right of appeal. We cannot because of political interests compromise the standard of peace and order provided by the Constitution.”
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