In spite of the drug trafficking and election rigging allegations filed in several petitions by oppositions against the President elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration says there will be a smooth transition of power to him on May 29th.
“On May 29th, there would be a peaceful formal transfer of power to the new President,” Boss Mustapha, chairman of the transition committee, said.
Mustapha told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that the litigation would not prevent the handover ceremony from taking place.
He added, “All litigation, whether resolved or not, will not in any way stop the process.
“The security committee has the responsibility to ensure that nothing happens to truncate the transition process. Nigerians are very law-abiding people.
“There are provided avenues for those who lost in the election to make whatever legal inquiry they want to make but the process would continue unabated.
“We would not create another constitutional crisis; on May 29, the handing over will take place.
“The refurbishment of offices for the president and vice-president-elect has been completed.
“The facility at the Defence House is ready. Security personnel of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force have also been deployed to the president and vice-president-elect.
“Protocol officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Intelligence Agency have also been assigned to both the president and vice president-elect.”
Recall that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, had filed his petition to challenge the victory of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 25 February election.
Dino Melaye Speaks On Tinubu’s Drug Trafficking Record After Peter Obi Mentioned It In His Petition
Dino Melaye, spokesman for the presidential campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has shared a part of the Nigerian constitution to buttress his position that a drug lord cannot become the country’s President.
Dino Melaye’s move comes shortly after the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Obi cited Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drug trafficking record in his petition to challenge the latter’s election victory.
Mr Obi filed the petition at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja at about midnight on Tuesday.
The court document detailing Mr Peter Obi’s petition against the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25th presidential election was shared by Inibehe Effiong, a human rights’ lawyer.
On Twitter, Dino Melaye quoted part of the constitution that reads: “A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if:
“He is under a sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or by another offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal”.
The key words in the above subsection are: Dishonesty and Fraud.”
The PDP spokesperson added: “A drug Lord cannot, will not be President in Nigeria.”
That is what Peter Obi and Labour Party have done in their petition before the Court of Appeal. They are seeking reliefs in the alternative; either that he be declared as the winner having scored majority of lawful votes cast, or that the entire election be nullified.
“There is no issue here. Those who are making issues out of the imbalanced media reports on the contents of the petition are doing so either because they’ve not seen and read the petition, or they are mischievous or they don’t understand. Let’s see how this turns out eventually.”
Inibehe Effiong, who shared the Mr Obi’s court document on his verified Twitter handle, said: “Peter Obi and Labour Party are seeking to disqualify Bola Tinubu on account of his drug related forfeiture in the US. It’s going to be an interesting litigation at the Court of Appeal. The issue has now been made topical. They’re also raising the issue of 25% votes in the FCT.
“Reports that Peter Obi in his election petition is not seeking to be declared the winner of the election is false and misleading. I’ve seen a copy of the petition. Peter Obi has prayed that he should be declared the winner. The law allows a petitioner to seek alternative reliefs.
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