As a result of the controversies that had been trailing the general elections conducted in Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in February, 2023 and the failure of the umpire to among others, transmit votes as promised, the former chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo) has advised President Muhammad Buhari to wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN), before swearing – in any person as the president of Nigeria.
The Ochendo addressed journalists to that effect on Saturday in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Recalled that due to what they saw as anomalies during the said election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and other political parties have headed to Election Tribunal to challange the declaring of rhe All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election.
In his points, he siad: “Since the 1999 Constitution of the Federation (as ammended), allows anyone, aggrieved after the announcement by INEC of the general elections to go on appeal from the Tribunal to the SPN to determine the final winner of the election, it stands to reason that no one should be sworn – in, as the winner before the apex court pronounces, who in its opinion, is the true winner of that election. Common sense requiers that until the apex court pronounces, who the winner is, the election is only midway and not over yet.”
He continued: “Consequently, swearing – in anyone as the winner of that presidential election premature and nothing other than announcing the result of the the match in the middle of the game. The match ends with ends sigh the apex court announcing in its opinion is the winner of the election. We therefore urge Mr President to swear – in only the person adjudged to by the apex to be the winner of the election. To swear – in anyone when the case is is still pending in the court is to prejudge the view of the apex court or to urge the court to confirm whoever is so prematurely sworn – in. To swear – in anyone before the verdict of the apex court is indirectly urging that court to confirm the candidate already sworn – in.”
Chief Simon Okeke spoke at length on the need for the right thing to be done, even as he sited example of how court stopped swearing – in of any new president, pending the verdict of the court. This he urged the president and the Federal Government to emulate, in order to strengthen democracy and allow the people’s will to be done.