Barrister, (Dr) Akin Ogunsakin, is a legal practitioner with experience spanning over 20 years and above. He holds a Ph.D in Comparative Constitutional Law.
In this brief interview with Newsline NG, bares his mind on the President's magnanimity in appointing some youths to his cabinet, Below are the excerpt:
- Sir, how can you describe our nascent democracy now in Nigeria.
Thank you for this topical question. Our democracy is no doubt at its infancy. However, the whole architecture of our democracy is worrisome. The rules of the game are not being obeyed. The former President of United States of America, Barrack Obama said if we want democracy to survive in Africa, we must fight for it and defend it. Obviously, Nigerians are not doing enough to allow democracy to thrive. It is a game of winners take all. We have bad winners and bad losers. Obviously, we need to do a lot in order to allow democracy to be fully entrenched in the nation.
As a lawyer, what's your view or position about Election Petition Matters before various Tribunals across the country?
Well, election petition matter is sui generis i.e. a classified area in law. I must say here that we have recorded some improvement in our election petition matters. This is done through our electoral act 2022. The INEC has put in place some mechanism under which the mischievous politicians can no longer snatch the ballot boxes e.g. the Bimodel Voter Accredetation System (BVAS) introduced by INEC is to upload verified results from each poling unit on the INEC Portal.The update is made on the INEC result – viewing portal IREV to the public on the current votes from each polling unit during the Election Day within the state. You will agree with me that it is no longer business as usual for mischievous politician to win elections. Obviously, election petition matters are now dyminified for the siting justice to adjudicate. However, the law is clear, he who asserts must prove. For anybody to win an election either at the state level, National Assembly level, even State Assembly, such a person must be popular and win convincingly before he or she can be declared a winner.
You are from Ondo State. What's your view about the current political situation in the state, vis a vis the ongoing Imbroglio between the State House of Assembly and the embattled Deputy Governor of the state?
Concerning the pending feud between Assembly members and the deputy governor of Ondo State, unfortunately, it is being staged managed politically by some mischievous politicians. Assembly members have the rights to impeach the Governor vis -a- vis the Deputy Governor on the grounds of incompetence and corruption. The law says it must be impeachable offences before they can commence impeachment, it is crystal clear that the misunderstanding was politically motivated at the detriment of the innocent people of Ondo State. The import of the action and inaction is that, Ondo State must be conscious of whom to vote for in the forthcoming election in 2024. I admonish the Sunshine sons and daughters to be more vigilant and vote wisely.
What measures do you think President Tinubu can take on how to restore the economy of the country and move the nation forward?
Nigeria’s economy has been in shamble for decades. I think we have started well like what Tinubu said, the three refineries of the country i.e Kaduna, Warri and Porthacourt would begin to work from December, 2023. By 2024, the other two will be functioning. I pray the government will make good their promise. I make bold to say that the economic problem across the world today is without exception. We are having our own share of the bitter pills. Removal of fuel subsidy is a right step in a right direction. What they do with the subsidy is another thing altogether.The government must as a matter of urgency, do something about the Naira Depreciation. The country has been dollarized. Naira is not a global currency, I am nonplus the way Nigerians romance with a foreign currency at the expense of theirs. Tinubu must fight oil theft and ensure we have enough foreign exchange from our crude oil. Corruption must be brought to the lowest ebb. From all indication things will start to get better at least by next year.
A piece of advice for the youths of this nation?
I will state clearly that youths are finding it better than before. More than half of Tinubu’s cabinet are youths. They have been given the opportunity and they must actually reciprocate the kind gesture of the Tinubu government. They need to be focused and remained proactive. Ultimately, they will get there.
- - Your position on the Supreme Court judgement on the Presidential election?
Speaking on my position on the Supreme Court Judgement on the presidential election, l had earlier made my position known to the Arise TV. The seven-man jurists led by Justice Okoro deserve some commendation rather than condemnation. They have done impeccably well. As a lawyer, Law has nothing to do with sentiment and emotions . Law is Law.The outpouring cries and sentiment of people cannot change the position of the Law. The petitioners have not been able to prove thier matters beyond reasonable dout. It is the principle of Law that says he who asserts must proof.All the grounds of Appeal raised by the petitioner were conveniently thrashed out. In any matter before a Judge where there are two or more litigants. The judgement would definitely favour one while the other will loose out. Politicians must learn how to let go and submit to fate. Nigerian politicians must be courageous enough having lost an election.
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