From Yakubu Busari,Jos
Following the recent alleged inciting statement by Labour Party’s Vice-Presidential Candidate Yusuf Datti Ahmed to stop installation of President-elect, Ahmed Tinubu until the courts have adjudged on pending electoral suits, the Chairman of inter-party Advisory Council ,IPAC,Hon. Abubakar Dogara, has urged the 19 Northern States of the organisation to distance themselves from Ahmed call.
Dogara said this during the meeting of the Northern IPAC Chairmen Forum after which a press statement was made avail able to the media.
He said the Forum was seriously concerned about the statements of Yusuf Datti Ahmed, the Labour Party Vice-Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Elections where He (Yusuf Datti Ahmed) insisted that, the President-elect and the Vice President-elect, must not be sworn in until the law suits are determined by the courts or democracy will come to an end on the 29 of May, 2023.
Datti-Ahmed, on Channels Television’s Politics Today on last Wednesday, argued that the APC failed to meet the requirements of Section 134 (2)(a) and (b) of the Nigerian constitution for the election into the office of the President.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Baba-to respect the letter of the constitution, saying: “Mr President, do not hold that inauguration. CJN, Your Lordship, do not partake in unconstitutionality.
“You cannot swear [in] people who haven’t met the constitutional requirements; you can’t do that.
“If you do it, you have done something unlawful, something unconstitutional.”
According to Dogara, the Northern leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), was dissociating itself from the current moves by Yusuf Datti Ahmed because the call would likely endanger the moves to consolidate civil rule in the country
He said; “We are raising an alarm over these threats to peaceful transition of power. We are disturbed by the potential uprising against Nigeria’s Democracy. What is at play sounds familiar to every Nigerian with good memory. The unfortunate event of the 1993 will never be allowed to repeat itself by anti-democratic element’s .”
“We recall with trepidation the harrowing experiences of Nigerians following the manner the democratic process was truncated in 1993 when a Presidential electoral process was permanently halted and the duly elected candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was prevented from assuming office.”
“As major stakeholders we have the duty to maintain the sanctity of the electoral processes and protect its integrity. We are worried about the actions of some INEC staff that could potentially truncate the victory of some opposition political parties, as seen in some States”.
“Regrettably , our Forum is seriously concerned about the ridiculous statements of YUSUF DATTI AHMED, the Labour Party Vice-Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Elections. He insisted that, the President-elect and the Vice President-elect, must not be sworn in until the electoral cases in the courts are finished or Democracy will come to an end on the 29 of May, 2023”.
“We do not believe that, our country, and indeed, the International community should watch as Nigeria faces yet another imminent tumult in the hands of enemies of democracy, rule of law, and decency. We have come this far in our democratic journey since civil rule was restored in 1999. We cannot afford a reversal at this stage. Nigeria as we know, may not survive the destruction these anarchists who have found themselves in the Nigerian political space by chance are calling for.
“As major stakeholders in the last elections, we affirm that, the 2023 Nigerian electoral process recorded fair credibility and transparency and we acknowledge that, there are areas that require further improvements. But we also believe and understand that, democracy is never a synonym for perfection and it is not perfect anywhere in the world. We encourage the President-elect to partner with the National leadership of opposition political parties to iron out areas of concern as a prelude to an inclusive transition and government.
“However, this is without prejudice to the rights of political parties and their candidates to explore legal channels to seek redress in case of grievances, as we expect the judiciary, which is the last resort of the common man to not allow itself to be compromised”.
“This is the decent and constitutional approach everywhere in the world and ours must not be different”.
“We must not allow anyone no matter his grouse to set us back or bring down our country. We must jealously guard this democracy in the interest of our nation”.
“They must prioritize the needs of the people and work towards improving their welfare and well-being.” The statement reads.
