Swearing in Tinubu before tribunal verdict makes no sense – Bishop Onaiyekan

John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, has noted that it’s unreasonable to swear-in Bola Tinubu, President-elect, before the conclusion of the election petition tribunal.

The Catholic clergy who spoke on Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Thursday, noted that court challenge against the outcome of the elections should be concluded before a winner is sworn into office.

Recall that Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) are contesting the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the February 25 presidential election by INEC.

Onaiyekan said Nigeria’s electioneering system ought to be reviewed.

“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,” he said.

“I’m 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.

“It is not right to have a system that is constantly contested. We should find out why is every election being contested.”