A former Aviation Minister and the Chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Felix Hyat, discussed issues such as insecurity and the 2023 election outcomes in an interview with The Punch.
Regarding claims that some Nigerians believe election results should be finalized before the May 29th swearing-in day, Hyat expressed his support, citing a similar scenario during the military era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He recalled the swift resolution of the electoral dispute between Late Shehu Shagari and Chief Obafemi Awolowo before Shagari’s presidential inauguration.
Hyat emphasized his alignment with expeditious resolution, citing the 1979 era when cases between Shagari and Awolowo were settled before assuming office.
He remarked,
“I completely aligned with that school of thought. It happened during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s era in 1979 when the late Shehu Shagari became the President, and the electoral cases between him and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo were disposed of before they were sworn into office.”
Certainly, this will reduce distractions. So, cases involving electoral matters should be disposed of before the inauguration day and not this process whereby elective officers won’t know their fate six months after elections.”