Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan, has refused calls for the composition of an Interim National Government, that will see to the conduct of the general elections.
Jonathan spoke through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke (SAN).
According to a statement issued by Adoke, the concept of an interim government is alien to the Nigerian constitution.
According to Adoke (SAN), "My attention has been drawn to recent calls in the media by some Nigerians for the constitution of an Interim National Government to mid-wife a general election and usher in a new democratic government.
"I recognise the inalienable right of Nigerians to freely express themselves and proffer solutions to perceived national challenges.
"I am concerned that some undiscerning Nigerians were being unwittingly led to believe that a certain prescription, which is totally alien to the constitution, can be adopted as a viable solution to our national challenges.
"It has, therefore, become necessary to correct this misconception and refocus the citizenry on the path of constitutionalism and democratic tenets consistent with our quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
"For the avoidance of doubt, it is pertinent to state that the framers of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, did not envisage the constitution of Interim National Government to superintend over the affairs of government.
"It is therefore not surprising to observe that no provision for Interim National Government was made in the Constitution.
"The contraption called “Interim National Government” is alien to Nigeria’s constitutional framework and the arrangement should not be promoted by well-meaning Nigerians under any guise or circumstance.
"Nigerians are therefore enjoined to continue to rely on the constitution, which contains adequate provisions on how the democratic process can be activated to elect their leaders from time to time."
Photo: Thisday
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