VP Shettima: President Tinubu has never influenced electoral process

Vice-President Kashim Shettima declared in Ilorin on Saturday that President Bola Tinubu’s current administration has never had any influence over the election process.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary of Prof. Yusuf Ali’s Ghalib Chambers, Shettima gave an explanation of President Tinubu’s decision to forego the election process.

He claimed that Tinubu’s views on fairness, fair play, and political freedom were the reason for this.

“President Tinubu never influenced electoral process and we (at the Presidency) never used instruments of office to haunt or hound perceived opponents,” the Vice-President said.

Shettima said democracy can only survive by adherence to the rule of law and quality of governance, not necessarily by system of government.

The Guest Speaker of the occasion, Mr Babatunde Fashola, noted that the call in some quarters for the reintroduction of parliamentary system of government might be wrong.

Fashola, a former Minister of Works and Housing, advised those calling for the reintroduction to deeply think.

”They should reflect on whether the reasons which caused its collapse in the First Republic had been sorted out or not.”

He submitted that only quality governance would shape the society, not the system of government.

“Nigeria once practised this parliamentary system, but it failed and led the country into unwarranted disaster.

“Let us think deeply on why the parliamentary system failed us and ask ourselves if we have overcome those reasons,” Fashola said.

The guest speaker suggested liberal democracy that would ensure better and improved livelihood of Nigerians, rather than calling for a change of system of government.

Fashola commended the celebrant, Yusuf Ali who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), for his robust contribution to the nation’s legal system.

Earlier, the Founder of Ghalib Chambers, Ali had thanked God for all he achieved, saying “my heart is full of gratitude, humility and deepest appreciation to Almighty Allah who is the Creator and the Divine Architect.

“As I reflect on the journey, I am reminded of the countless times Allah intervened, guided, and blessed me, even when all hope seemed lost.”

Ali thanked his parents, teachers, clients and those who shared their wisdom and expertise with him, regardless of the setting or circumstance, his siblings, children and his late wife.

Many dignitaries graced the occasion, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The list of dignitaries in attendance also had the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the Founder of Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Abdulraheem Oladimeji.

The Ghalib Chambers compiled a compendium of over 450 pages, launched by Vice-President Shettima, as part of the anniversary and contribution to the legal and general community.(NAN)