No provision for interim govt in 1999 Constitution —FG

The Federal Government, yesterday, ruled out the institution of an Interim National Government to mid-wife the forthcoming national elections,

saying the idea is totally alien to the constitution.

The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke in a statement made available to Vanguard cautioned the public against being led astray by suggestions to that effect which he said is not tenable under the present democratic dispensation.

The statement follows arguments in the public space that an interim national government be constituted to run the country in the days leading to and after the forthcoming national elections.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to recent calls in the media by some Nigerians for the constitution of an Interim National Government to ostensibly mid-wife the 2015 general elections to usher in a new democratic government.

“While I recognise and appreciate the inalienable right of Nigerians to freely express themselves and proffer solutions to perceived national challenges, I am deeply concerned that some undiscerning Nigerians are being unwittingly led to believe that a certain prescription, which is totally alien to the constitution, can be adopted as 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 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 therefore 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.”