The Nigerian Bar Association president has defended Bola Tinubu’s presidency, stating that his position is based on the laws and constitution of Nigeria.
In an interview with ARISE TV, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau explained that the declaration of Tinubu as president by INEC is valid and should be recognized.
He emphasized that the law should be followed, rather than individual opinions or sentiments.
Maikyau argued that when a public officer makes a declaration, it is presumed to have been done in accordance with the authority granted to them.
He also stated that despite pending petitions challenging Tinubu’s victory, he is currently the president of the country and should be recognized as such.
The invitation of Tinubu to the NBA conference has received criticism, but Maikyau defended it, asserting that the law should be respected and followed.
He said:
“That Tinubu is president today is a function of laws. It’s a function of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is a function of the Electoral Act. What I’ve done is simply to recognise the position of the law.
“As far as the law is concerned today in this country, without prejudice to the tendency of petition against the election and declaration of President Tinubu, he is the president and commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the president of this country, and I went to him because I defer to the law, not to the whims and caprices of individuals. This is not a function of anybody’s sentiment or whims and caprices.
“Did the INEC chairman have the authority to make the declaration that he did?
“Yes.
“When he declared Tinubu as president, there is a presumption that enured in favour of Tinubu as the candidate at that time, now president under the auspices of the APC, that all that needed to be done, that all the requirements that needed to be declared as president has been satisfied.
“Who else should I invite? Should I not recognise the provisions of the law? Are we without a president because there is a pending petition? No.
Mr Tinubu’s invitation to the NBA conference sparked reactions, with many arguing that it was improper, given that the president’s electoral victory is facing scrutiny at the presidential election petitions tribunal, as Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (Labour Party) seek the nullification of Mr Tinubu’s victory on several grounds.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
