The National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, has advocated for a significant amendment to Nigeria’s constitution regarding the inauguration of newly-elected presidents.
Ologunagba suggested that a president-elect should not be officially sworn into office until after the court has conclusively resolved all election-related petitions.
This proposal comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which, according to Ologunagba, faced substantial distractions during its first seven months due to ongoing election petition hearings.
He believes that these distractions significantly impeded the government’s ability to focus on governance, contributing to the current economic turmoil experienced across the nation.
Ologunagba pointed to the myriad challenges confronting Nigeria, including a spike in kidnappings for ransom, increased activities by non-state actors, and the rising cost of food, as urgent issues requiring the government’s full attention.
He argued that the proposed constitutional amendment would provide a newly-elected president with a clearer mandate and the undivided capacity to address such pressing national concerns from the onset of their term.