Agbakoba: I don’t agree with Lai’s ‘treason’ allegation against Peter Obi

Olisa Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says he does not agree with the allegation of treason against Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and his deputy, Datti Baba-Ahmed.

In a recent interview, Baba-Ahmed said Bola Tinubu did not meet the constitutional requirements to become Nigeria’s president.

The LP vice-presidential candidate had asked Olukayode Ariwoola, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), not to swear in Tinubu as president.

Baba-Ahmed’s comments elicited widespread criticism with some stakeholders calling on security agencies to take action.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, on Tuesday, accused Obi and Baba-Ahmed of inciting violence and threatening Nigheria’s democracy.

“This is treason. You cannot be inviting insurrection, and this is what they are doing,” the minister said.

However, in an interview with Arise TV, Agbakoba said he did not agree with the minister’s position.

“I don’t agree with Mr Lai Mohammed that what Mr Obi is saying is treason,” the senior advocate said.

“But if we go below what the problem is, it’s to do with the fact that Mr Tinubu is likely to be sworn in on 29 of May 2023 whilst the petitions are not even heard.”

Agbakogba had proposed that the presidential election petitions tribunal as well as the supreme court should direct procedural orders with very short timelines to speedily determine the petitions within seven days.

“Suppose my theory of seven days doesn’t work, well, let us try now,” he said.

“Let’s try to see if we can get it going. And if we get it going, that is a plus for everybody. I really would urge the tribunal and legal team on both sides to do their possible best to push this case to the possible limit where we can see if there can be a conclusion before the swearing-in.

“But clearly, I have said that I do not believe and the constitution does recognise anything like an interim government to contraction.

“So, as it stands now. Mr Ahmed Bola Tinubu is the president-elect whether we like it or not.