…Says 2023 election may be inconclusive
Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Femi Falana, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration deceived the people of the country with its resolve to wage war against corruption at the inception of the administration, saying events in recent times have exposed the deceit of the government.
The lawyer, who was reacting to the last week’s state pardon extended to former governors of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, and of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, who were jailed for stealing their various state funds, noted that the action of the government has further legitimised corruption and mismanagement of public funds in the country.
Falana, while speaking with newsmen in his country home of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti South-West local government area of Ekiti State, during the 10th coronation anniversary of Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi, at the weekend, explained that the reasons advanced by the Federal Government of age and health grounds in releasing the two former governors were self-serving and unacceptable.
The lawyer lamented that under the present government, those accused and established to have stolen public funds running into billions of naira have been discharged and acquitted by the court through the deliberate frustration of their cases by the office of the Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), saying the most touted fight against corruption has collapsed like a pack of cards.
While expressing strong reservations about the recent call by a renowned lawyer, Afe Babalola for the setting up of a six-month interim government, Falana revealed that the federal government must address what has led to the call by the elder statesman, which he said is the disturbing wave of insecurity and dwindling economy challenges bedevilling the nation.
“While you may disagree with the call for an interim government, you must at the same time address what has led to the call, which is the state of insecurity in the country. Apart from issuing press statements, the government does not bother about insecurity in the country, they issue statements from time to time and President Buhari will assure Nigerians of the safety and security of their lives and property but after that, we are waiting for the next attack”, he said.
The senior lawyer, who expressed fears over the conduct of the next year’s elections over the growing tension in the land occasioned by the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, said that if not nipped in the bud, it may plunge the country into a serious constitutional crisis.
He condemned the fixing of prices of nomination forms by political parties in the country, describing it as illegal, adding that outrageous nomination fees are not part of the criteria stipulated by the constitution for those seeking elective positions.
