May 29: Give court time to complete its work before swearing in, Igbo leaders urges presidency

Igbo Patriotic Forum (IPF) has told presidency to allow court to complete its work on presidential election petitions before anyone is sworn in as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

The IPF made the call in Abuja on Saturday at a press conference with its chairman, Chief Simon Okeke

This is coming amidst the ongoing legal battle between the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, over the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

The Informant247 gathered that Obi and Atiku are challenging Tinubu’s victory in the election, alleging widespread irregularities and rigging.

The case is currently before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, which is expected to begin sitting on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Chief Okeke, while speaking at the press conference, said: “Since the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) allows anyone aggrieved after the announcement by INEC of the general election result to go on appeal from the Tribunal to the Supreme court 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.”

Okeke added that this is not a matter for haste or impatience, but for the rule of law to take its course.

He added, “In a football match, the true winner is not determined until the referee blows the final whistle.

“We should allow the court to complete its work so that we can know who the true winner of the election is. Once that is done, the winner should be sworn in as the next President of Nigeria.”

Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, the Secretary of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, during his address, explained that the IPF is a group of prominent Igbo leaders, who have been actively involved in the political process in Nigeria, promoting the unity of Nigeria while advocating for the rights of the Igbo people.

He, however, called on all Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding while the court completes its work on the presidential election petitions.