The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that elder statesman and legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola was within his rights in asking for the creation of an interim government at the expiration of the Muhammadu Buhari’s second term in 2023.
CAN’s position was disclosed by Special Assistant to its President on Media and Publicity, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji on Tuesday.
Recall that Afe Babalola on Monday advocated the creation of an interim government to take over from Buhari, chart a new course for the country and conduct new general elections.
He asked that the 2023 elections should be suspended until Nigeria has “a new-look peoples’ Constitution which should provide for part-time legislators and non-executive president’’.
He said that members of the interim government should be drawn from all living former presidents and vice-presidents; some selected ministers and governors and delegates of prominent professional associations.
The professional associations could be the Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Academic Staff Union of Universities and Civil Society Organisations.
The elder statesman noted that such delegates should be elected on zero party bases.
However, the proposal was rejected in many quarters.
Senator for Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, Shehu Sani, while reacting to the proposal, said, “Afe Babalola is a respected legal luminary & elder.
“However, his suggestion is Unconstitutional & counterproductive to democracy.
“We don’t need any interim Government. We need a credible elections & new leadership with a sound vision to unite, protect and rebuild this country.”
In a reaction, CAN said, “He (Babalola) expresses his personal opinion on the rot in the country and he has the Constitutional right to do so.”