Politics And Sentiment Apart, APC May Set A Dangerous Precedence In Rivers State – Festus Keyamo

Lagos based lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has said the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, was right in directing the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, to administer the oath of office ​to​ the governor-elect of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

Festus Keyamo

Mr. Keyamo said “A close look at Section 185(2) as analysed above will clearly show that whilst the drafters of the Constitution were very particular in using the phrase “the State” in reference to those officers who should administer the oaths, the last part of the section which allows other persons to perform the function (apart from those stated officers) uses the phrase “in any State”.

“In other words, in the absence of those stated officers to administer the oaths in “the State” in question, the corresponding officers “in any State” of the federation performing the same functions can also administer the oaths”.

Mr. Keyamo,​ who is a member of the All Progressives Congress, the party ​defeated ​in the gubernatorial election in Rivers State, said he supports the stand of the AGF without political prejudice. He added that the absence of a Chief Judge at a merely ceremonial event should not stop the declared winner of an election from assuming office.

“In any event, putting politics and sentiments aside, it is inconceivable to think that the assumption of office of a public officer who has been declared winner of an election can be scuttled merely because of the absence of someone who should perform a purely ceremonial duty​, when the absence of such a person is no fault of the public officer,” he said.

He added that ​a​ dangerous precedence might be created that might lead to the kidnap of Chief Judges, Grand Kadis and other people designated to administer the oath of office if Mr. Wike is not sworn in as a result of the vacuum in River State.