The Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, not to participate in the swearing-in of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
The Vice presidential candidate said swearing in Tinubu as the President of Nigeria would be tantamount to ending democracy in the country.
According to him, Tinubu has not met the constitutional requirements to be declared as the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He argued that Tinubu failed to meet the statutory requirements of having 25% of votes in 24 (two-thirds) states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Baba-Ahmed said this during an interview with Channels Television Wednesday.
His argument comes as no fewer than four presidential candidates including Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of LP had already filed mega election petitions at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, challenging the declaration of Tinubu as the President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
What Baba-Ahmed said: “This document is a product of the legal system. It has been signed into law by the President, Commander in Chief Federal Republic of Nigeria. I believe in this document, that is why I’m so lawful, that is why I’m so confident, and that is what I’m saying, however extreme it is, I am saying it on national TV, I don’t like to take risks.
“I’m not taking any risks. Swearing in a ticket that has not met the constitutional requirements is ending democracy. Quote me on it. That’s my interpretation and that is indeed a correct interpretation.
“You cannot swear people who have not met the constitutional requirement, you can’t do that. If you do it, you have done something unlawful, something unconstitutional. I’m repeating it, whoever does not meet the constitutional requirements must not must never be sworn in. You said my name if you’d like I can say it again, I am Datti Baba-Ahmed, I’m not taking risks with myself and with my life.
“But I’m repeating swear in anybody who does not meet the constitutional right of requirements of our country. You are engaging in an unconstitutional act. Mr. President, do not hold that inauguration. CJN, Your Lordship do not partake in unconstitutionality. I am taking this risks for the sake of my country.
“Yes, it is extreme and I’m saying it. It was more extreme for Yakubu to issue that certificate, it was reckless. He’s putting all our lives in danger, all of us. We are already at risk. So what is stopping me taking risks again? What have they not done against Nigeria? What have they not abused in Nigeria? and they take the constitution where it clearly says get 24 (states), and FCT, they failed to get it. They’re going to swear this man in and I should be afraid. I will not be. I’m telling you that on the 29th of May 2023, swear in Tinubu as this result is you have ended democracy wherever you are,” Datti Baba-Ahmed stressed.
