By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has expressed shock on disclosure made by the Department of State Security (DSS) that secret plans are underway to put an interim government in place in Nigeria.
He argued that such arrangement will undermine the country’s democratic process and transition.
He described the idea as a major setback, and advised that it must be resisted.
Agbakoba said this in a statement issued on March 30, 2023.
He said, “It is shocking to learn from the Department of State Security that secret plans are underway to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and transition, by arrangements of what is described as an interim government. This will be a major set-back and we must all resist.”
The senior advocate suggested that the gravest possible consequences must be applied to all who are associated with the idea, and said that it is a treasonable intent.
“The general elections have held, albeit under the most challenging circumstance. But a president- elect has emerged and we must respect and accept this as fact. At least for now. All leading Presidential candidates have approached the courts with grounds of complaint concerning what they consider as electoral irregularities. If the presidential candidates have accepted the democratic process by lodging petitions before the courts, then it is very difficult to understand upon what basis anyone considers that an interim government is a viable and legal alternative. We must all reject this nonsense and respect our Constitution, which has no provision for interim arrangements,” Agbakoba said.
He pointed out that as the President-elect is sworn into office on May 29, the Judicial process will ultimately render a decision.
“As Nigerians, we must turn to the Courts to render a decision on the petitions before them. The Judicial process will certainly carry a huge responsibility in the process of democratic consolidation,” he clarified, adding: “The notion of the contraption referred to as interim government, has no place in our lives and our constitution. We must all say No!”
