Alhaji Umar Kukuri, the chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council in Yobe, stressed the importance for President Goodluck Jonathan to preserve May 29 as a handover date.
The official made a call on April 18, Saturday, while speaking with NAN in capital Damaturu. In support of this position, Kahuri explained:
“The May 28 handover proposal has generated arguments with a lot of suspicions and interpreted negatively.
“So, Mr. President should complete the 24-hour difference and hand over power to the president-elect on May 29 to sustain the statesmanship he demonstrated during the election.
“President Jonathan has earned himself international respect when he conceded defeat and congratulated Gen. Buhari. He should sustain this for the remaining period of his administration and beyond.
“Handing over power on May 29 will erase every suspicion, fear of creating vacuum and the judicial interpretation to the difference between May 28 and May 29.”
He also urged two transition committees to focus on the national interests adding that both stakeholders and citizens should ensure peaceful process like the one observed during the elections.
“The security agencies should also support a successful transition. Every Nigerian has a role to play in ensuring a peaceful and successful transition for Nigeria’s democracy to become a role model in Africa.
“l do not see this as a problem, but it seems to be generating serious arguments, l am sure it will be resolved amicably.”
Truly, the emergence of May 28 as a handover date generated many negative reactions. Some insisted that since the return of democracy in 1999, the traditional date for the handover of power has been May 29. The others alleged a trap saying that the Constitution does not envisage a situation where Nigeria will be without a sitting president even for one hour.
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