Concerns Over Possible Power Vacuum With Jonathan’s May 28 Handover Proposal

 Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN)

Based on the plan put forward by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), GRAPHITTI NEWS reports several stakeholders have concerns over a potential power vacuum. 

They fear if President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to formally handover to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on May 28 then this will create a power vacuum for a few hours between the period he hands over and the morning of May 29 when his successor will be formally sworn-in as the president.

Making the president’s intention to deviate from the norm, the Minister of Information, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki, who briefed State House correspondents on Wednesday after the (FEC) meeting, said Jonathan would formally handover to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on May 28 at a dinner

Media reports had carried the news:

Speaking on the May 28 handover date proposed by the president, human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said the new date was a deviation from the law as a vacuum would be created should he handover before Buhari’s swearing in.

“As far as the law is concerned, President Jonathan is in charge of the country until May 29. He cannot cut short his presidency in the name of handing over the day before at a dinner, as there is no provision for a vacuum.

“He is the president till the morning of May 29 when Buhari takes the oath of office. There is no provision for a vacuum of eight or nine hours, and I am sure the president will be properly advised,” he said.