Presidential Election Tribunal: Keyamo Gives Reason for His Absence on List of Lawyers Representing Tinubu
- Festus Keyamo has explained to Nigerians the reason his name did not make it to the list of senior lawyers representing Bola Tinubu at the tribunal
- The senior lawyer said that as a serving minister in the cabinet of the present administration, the law does not permit him to be on any legal team
- According to Keyamo, he can only be part of the legal team representing Tinubu after President Muhammadu Buhari hands over on May 29
Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the official spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PPC), has explained why his name was not listed as part of the legal team that will represent Bola Tinubu in court over his declaration as president-elect.
In a tweet posted on Tuesday, March 7, Keyamo said he could not be on the list because, as a minister, that would violate the Nigerian constitution as amended.
Source: UGC
Nigerians wondered why the SAN did not make the list after Keyamo, who currently serves as the minister of state for labour and employment, had during one of the press briefings by the APC PCC said he would be on the legal team to represent the president-elect at the 2023 presidential election tribunal.
The list released by the ruling party showed Tinubu’s 48-man legal counsel, which went viral on social media, consists of a 12-man team of senior lawyers.
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However, in a surprising turn out of events, the minister's name was not found on the list released by the party.
In his defence, he said:
"For those who made inquiries, a serving Minister (by our Constitution) cannot be listed in any private legal team, though he/she can support the team in preparation.
"Hence, the present cabinet ministers who are SANs can only formally join the Election Petition team after May 29th."
Battle line drawn as Tinubu makes smart move against Peter Obi
There are indications that the post-election experiences in Nigeria will be fraught with a series of litigations.
This is as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted a legal team to challenge Peter Obi's 6.1 million votes in the last presidential election.
The APC's presidential campaign council insists that the Labour Party's candidate manipulated the process that gave him such massive votes.
2023 presidency: "I won and I'll prove it," Peter Obi speaks to Nigerians
Meanwhile, the Labour Party presidential candidate addressed Nigerians on the conduct and results of the poll.
After observing a minute silence for victims of violence across the country during Saturday, February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections, Obi made it clear that this is the first time he will address the media directly or indirectly after participating in the voting exercise in Anambra.
Obi expressed gratitude to all Nigerians, especially Obidients who came out en masse to exercise their franchise by voting.
Source: Legit.ng
