Cardinal John Onaiyekan
By Jon Egie
Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, is worried about the electoral system and processes in Nigeria and has therefore called for a review.
Speaking today, Thursday, May 4, as host to the Channels Television Programme, Sunrise Daily, the Cleric declared as nonsensical, the idea of swearing in acclaimed winners of election whereas they have issues relating to the elections that were yet to be settled in court.
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Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who emerged as the President elect was the presidential candidate of the APC and his victory is being challenged in court by the presidential candidates of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi and that of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
But the President elect will be sworn in on May 29 as Nigeria’s next president. There are also similar cases among the governors elect across the country.
“There are cases in court that have not been disposed of. That is why we are in an anomalous situation. We have a president elect whose election is being challenged and the court is handling it,”
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“I am still waiting for the court to tell me who won the election. It doesn’t make much sense to be swearing in people when they are still in court.
“I know it has happened with governors but the outcome has really not been the best of all cases. I think we need to review our election process, so we do have a winner who will be sworn in and whom everybody would rally around.
“It is a pity that it is taking longer for the court to come to its decision. My problem is that the whole system of our election must be properly reviewed so that it would be easier for winners to emerge according to the wishes of the people.
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“It is not right to have a system that is constantly contested. We should find out why is every election being contested.”The Cleric suggested.
The Presidential Petition Election Tribunal has fixed May 8 for the hearing of the petitions.
