Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has said that it does not make sense to swear in people into office when their electoral victories are being challenged in court.
Onaiyekan shared this thought during an interview with Channels TV on Thursday, April 4.
Onaiyekan said: “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. 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 long 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.”
The outcome of the February 25, 2023, Presidential election is currently being challenged in court by Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. the presidential election tribunal will begin hearing of the petitions on May 8.