2023: Oba of Benin okays Osinbajo as group counters Falana on Jonathan’s eligibility

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has affirmed he has capacity to reposition Nigeria, saying President Muhammadu Buhari exposed him to critical decisions and programmes about the country, which, in turn, equipped for the job.

He stated this at the palace of the Oba of Benin, when he visited Edo State to meet with delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

In his response, Oba Ewuare II commended the Vice President for his eloquence and respect for culture and tradition, adding: “You are eminently qualified for what you are running for. We do not need to overemphasise that. I pray that the voters will hear your voice. It is now up to the voters to decide.

“Here, in Benin, we will be praying for you, and we have started praying for you. So, may the almighty God and the ancestors hear your prayers and grant your heart’s desires.”

This came as Law and Order Group, a body supporting the purported presidential aspiration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, has dismissed the argument by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) that Jonathan is not qualified to contest the exalted office.

Falana reportedly argued that Jonathan, by virtue of the provisions of Section 137 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered), is barred from contesting.

But the group, in a statement, yesterday, signed by its Secretary, Aliyu Mohammed, insisted Jonathan is not barred, describing the argument as erroneous and misleading.

It said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Mr. Falana to the effect that, in view of the provisions of the 4th Alteration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as contained in Section 137 (3), former President Jonathan is not qualified to contest the office of president in 2023.”

“We wish to categorically state that the said statement is erroneous and misconceived. In the first place, the 4th Alteration to the Constitution, which introduced Section 137(3), was signed into law, as part of the Constitution by President Muhammadu Buhari, in June 2018.

“The said Section 137 (3) contains a commencement date, which is the date it was signed into law. Thus, the provisions of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (4th Alteration) became operative on June 7, 2018 and not any time before that date.”

Meanwhile, posters drumming support for the return of Jonathan in 2023 appeared on major streets in the commercial city of Kano.

It was not known who was behind the posters, although a pan-Arewa group, Jonathan Dawo Dawo Network (JDDN), headed by Isa Musa Karkasara, had recently issued a statement in Kano, declaring support for Jonathan’s candidacy. (The Guardian)