Renowned Nigerian lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has called for severe punishment for those responsible for any plan to interrupt Nigeria’s democratic process through an interim government arrangement.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Agbakoba condemned any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and emphasized that the country’s 1999 constitution does not make provisions for interim government arrangements. He stated that such plans should be severely resisted and punished.
“I suggest that the gravest possible consequences must be applied to all who are associated with this treasonable intent,” he said.
Agbakoba further called on all political actors to respect the rule of law and warned against any secret plans to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and transition, which he described as a significant setback for the country.
“The general elections have been held, albeit under the most challenging circumstances. But a president-elect has emerged, and we must respect and accept this as a fact, at least for now,” he said.
He also pointed out that all leading presidential candidates have approached the courts with complaints of electoral irregularities, and if they have accepted the democratic process by lodging petitions before the courts, then it is challenging to understand why anyone considers an interim government a viable and legal alternative.
“We must all reject this nonsense and respect our Constitution, which has no provision for interim arrangements,” he added.
Agbakoba’s statement comes after reports by the Department of State Security (DSS) revealed that some individuals were planning to scuttle Nigeria’s democratic process through an interim government arrangement.
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