Baba-Ahmed: Tinubu’s Mandate Assaults Nigeria’s Constitution
Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s (LP) vice presidential candidate, said yesterday that President-elect Bola Tinubu’s mandate is still illegal under Nigerian law.
Speaking on Arise Television last night, Baba-Ahmed referred to Tinubu’s certificate of return as a “dud cheque” that will eventually bounce, no matter how long it takes.
“This isn’t just about losing the election. We are now discussing a constitutional breach, and where there is a constitutional breach, there is no president-elect.
“Section 134 of the Constitution is clearly interpreted.” There’s also the INEC’s interpretation of 134. That’s something I’m going to remember. I’m going to stick to it, and I’m going to win.
“With all humility, I tell you that we do not have a president-elect in Nigeria today.” Alhaji Bola Tinubu is holding a bogus certificate and a bogus cheque. If there are no funds in that account, the transaction will fail.
“You cannot swear in a president whose certificate of return offends the constitution because the constitution is the foundation upon which the presidency is built, and when that is violated, it cannot stand,” Baba-Ahmed insisted.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) not to support a ‘illegality,’ arguing that it is unconstitutional, especially given that he did not receive 25% of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The LP’s running mate contended that the law requires every candidate to receive 25% of the vote, which Tinubu did not receive.
According to Baba-Ahmed, if Tinubu is sworn in on May 29, there will be a violation of the Nigerian constitution under the standard definition of section 134. “If you violate the constitution, use power, or whatever to bring him in,” he continued, “he remains an unconstitutional president.”
Baba-Ahmed stated that while he does not have complete faith in the Nigerian judiciary, this is not a sufficient reason not to petition the courts to overturn Tinubu’s election.
He cited the bizarre case of the Senate President, who contested for both the Senate and the Presidency at the same time, in violation of the Nigerian constitution, but was allowed to be the party’s candidate despite the alleged violation by the Nigerian judiciary.
(TNT)
