Atiku, Peter Obi Vs Tinubu: ‘Cases Should Be Completed Before Swearing-in’ – Osibanjo’s Ex-Spokesman

Nigerian journalist, Laolu Akande, the ex-spokesperson of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has opined that the completion of court litigations after elections is part of the reform that Nigeria needs.

Naija News reports that Akande stated this during an interview on Channels TV on the backdrop of the judgement on the appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart, Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory at the presidential elections petitions tribunal.

The Supreme Court ruling on the appeals is slated for today.

Akande said that litigations after swearing-in diminish the time those elected have to deliver on their campaign promises.

He also urged the Supreme Court judges to do their jobs without fear or favour.

He said, “The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday for the judgement in the appeals by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, challenging the result of the February 25 election, which produced President Bola Tinubu.

“I think we have lost a bit of time for those that have been elected because they have to deal with all these litigations even after being sworn in. It diminishes the time they have to deliver their promises. They are part of the reforms that we need that cases are completed before swearing-in.

“This is the case in some African countries, including Kenya. It is a model which lays more emphasis on governance. Even in Paris, he said he could not sleep. There is distraction.

“But we hope that the judges will keep and jealously guard their independence. It is a pillar for any functioning democracy to have an independent judiciary.

“Even in the United States the president appoints justices but we have seen instances where, for example, a Republican president appointed a judge, but as soon as he got into office, he dispensed (judgements) according to facts. Even though the president has the power, we hope the judiciary will remain independent.”