Interim Government Constituted By Past Presidents Will Further Draw Us Backwards — Adegboruwa SAN
Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Tuesday, reacted to the call by a legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), for the suspension of the 2023 general elections and the installation of an interim government in 2023.
Chief Afe Babalola SAN who is a nonagenarian and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti in a press conference on Monday, asked that election be suspended until a new constitution was put in place saying the present constitution will further recycle the same set of politicians that have run the country aground.
He also advocated for an interim government to replace the current administration in 2023.
However, in their various reactions to his proposal, some Senior Lawyers faulted the idea of an interim government with all agreeing that it will lead to instability in the nation’s polity.
Although the senior lawyers agreed that there was a need for a new constitution, they added that having an interim government to replace the present administration at the expiration of its tenure would not augur well for the country.
In his response, Tayo Oyetibo described the idea of an interim government as one that would destabilise the polity. He said, “I think Nigerians need a stable political environment and an interim government is unstable.
“The constitution is not the problem of Nigeria; our problem is with the operators of the constitution. Of course, there is a need for adjustment of the constitution. Our problem is never with the constitution. Great Britain has an unwritten constitution, yet the system is being run perfectly.”
Frontline Human Rights, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa(SAN) responding to the proposal, said that emphasis should be placed on the restructuring the country.
He noted, “I don’t agree with the revered legal luminary that we should have an interim government, especially consisting of past heads of state. That means the likes of Buhari and Babaginda, among others, will be part of that government and other people who have drawn the nation backward. What is it they have to offer that they didn’t offer while in power?”
He also stated that rather than bring back those who have destroyed the nation through interim leadership, Nigerians should be allowed to elect talented young politicians who have the interest of the nation at heart. He also said he believes what Afe Babalola was clamouring for was for the country to be restructured before elections are conducted.
“Rather than recycle those who have run the nation aground, there are younger and talented people who can move this country forward. I think what he was saying indirectly is that there should be restructuring before the election.”
Adegoke Rasheed (SAN), on his part said the call was not feasible.
He stated, “The constitution has mandated a periodic election and until that provision of the constitution is amended or there is a revolution overthrowing that constitution, it is not possible to have an interim government in place.
“It is a good idea we must have a new constitution but the call for an interim government is not practicable.”
