‘President can’t cut short his tenure,’ Falana responds to May 28 hand-over plans

monjola sotubo

April 16, 2015 2:03 PM

Jonathan has decided to formally hand-over to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari at a dinner in Abuja, a day earlier than usual.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has said that President Goodluck Jonathan can’t cut short his tenure despite plans to hand-over on May 28, instead of the 29.

Jonathan has decided to formally hand-over to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari at a dinner in Abuja, a day earlier than usual.

Falana however described the President’s decision as a deviation from the law due to the vacuum that would be created if Jonathan hands over before Buhari is sworn in.

“As far as the law is concerned, President Jonathan is in charge of the country until May 29. He cannot cut short his presidency in the name of handing over the day before at a dinner, as there is no provision for a vacuum,” Falana said.

“He is the president till the morning of May 29 when Buhari takes the oath of office. There is no provision for a vacuum of eight or nine hours, and I am sure the president will be properly advised,” he added.

May 29 is Nigeria’s Democracy Day and was so declared by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo after the country returned to civil rule in 1999.

monjola sotubo