Onaiyekan questions rationale, seeks electoral reform to stop anomaly
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, has added his voice to those who argue it is not proper to swear in a purported election winner into office when the case is court where the victory may be overturned.
Onaiyekan, a longstanding social critic, argued on Channels Television that the electoral process should be amended to stop such an anomaly.
He was referring to the planned swearing-in of Bola Tinubu as President on May 29 when the court cases against his election would not likely have been resolved.
“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,” Onaiyekan said, per Vanguard reporting.
“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 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 is every election being contested.”
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Sani takes on Keyamo, FFK for hitting Onaiyekan
Tinubu’s spokesmen, Femi Fani-Kayode and Labour Minister of State Festus Keyamo, reacted to Onaiyekan’s views with cutting remarks that former Senator Shehun Sani countered by cautioning them, according to Daily Post.
“Those that are filled with bitterness, hate, envy, fury and rage and that seek to pursue us into the Red Sea as we make our way to the Promise Land shall be drowned by it,” Fani-Kayode tweeted.
Keyamo added also on Twitter that “the embarrassment to the Body of Christ is getting too much.”
But Sani stood up for the clergyman, wondering why those who condemn Obidients (supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi) for toxic comments are doing the same thing.
“I thought it was only Peter’s supporters that harass people for their opinions until I read such toxic comments against John Onaiyekan. Those who preach tolerance should practice tolerance,” Sani tweeted.