Afe Babalola’s Interim Proposal is Invitation to Anarchy – Presidency

The presidency has described as an invitation to anarchy, the proposal that the 2023 general election be suspended for the current administration to be replaced by an interim arrangement.
In a statement made available to the NPO Reports, the presidency, through a statement by Garba Shehu, also said the suggestion by another elder statement, Chief Robert Clarke to extend the tenure of Buhari by six months would amount to betrayal of public trust.
The state said that Buhari, being Nigeria’s first beneficiary of transfer of power from a sitting administration to an opposition party, would be betraying the constitution if he does not step down from office on May 29, next year.
Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria had two weeks ago, addressed the press saying that the current situation in the country called for concerns.
He therefore said an interim arrangement be put in place that would ensure the delivery of a new constitution to address many of the complications in the country.
The statement added, “There are others, such as Chief Afe Babalola, (SAN), that believe elections should be suspended, with the current elected government replaced by an interim unelected administration. This, he claims, is necessary to create a new constitution for the people, made possible, paradoxically, by ignoring their democratic rights. Down that path lies crisis and instability.
Instead, this administration proposes something entirely simpler: honouring the constitution and people’s right to decide.”
In the case of Clarke, whom the presidency referred to as “a very well respected elder,” it said Clarke may be sincere in his wish for the President to extend his term by six months.
“We wish to categorically restate that the President will step down on May 29th, 2023, after serving two terms – as per the constitution.
“Having been the first recipient of a democratic transfer of power from an incumbent administration to an opposition candidate in Nigerian history, the President is committed to extending and entrenching democratic values across the country. He shall, in turn, hand the privilege of serving the people of Nigeria to whomever they choose through free, fair and credible elections.”
It admitted that Clarke was right to say that without security, Nigeria would not likely realize its true potential as a peaceful and prosperous nation.
It therefore explained some of the measures taken to deal with insurgents.
“That is why it has been at the core of this administration. The results are there for all to see. Boko Haram terrorists have been forced back from controlling whole swathes of this country. Internally Displaced Persons are now returning to rebuild their communities. This achievement has been accomplished through the bravery and determination of the Nigerian armed forces and the fortitude of the people of our nation.”
It said new challenges have arisen and tackled in turn – whether it’s the National Livestock Transformation Plan to alleviate herder-farmer clashes, the elimination of the leadership of ISWAP, or new efforts to combat banditry. It added, “Till the last day of the administration, the security of the citizens shall remain the administration’s paramount concern. We shall finish the job. Yet, in any case, respect for the constitution and Nigerians’ democratic rights remains the best path to securing and then maintaining peace.”