No much sense swearing in people when issues are in court – Onaiyekan

The Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, says it does not make much sense to swear in winners of elections when the hearing of election tribunal is yet to be concluded.

The president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be sworn in as president on May 29.

Recall that the presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, had challenged the victory of Tinubu at the February 25 Presidential elections.

While the commencement of the hearing has been slated for May 8, 2023, preparations for the inauguration and swearing-in of the President-elect have remained in top gear.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Onaiyekan, described the status of the election process as “anomalous”, adding that he was still waiting for the court to declare the winner of the election.

He further stated that there was a need to review the election process, as it would make it easier for a winner to emerge so that he could be sworn in and the people can rally around him, while he expressed concern that the electoral system in the country, was constantly contested.

“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 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 every election is being contested.”