Robert Clarke, an elder statesman, has called for a tenure extension for President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him address the country’s security woes.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who said this on Monday when he featured on Arise Television’s Morning Show, argued that the months preceding the 2023 elections are not sufficient to put an end to the insecurity, making the conduct of election possible.
He maintained that the constitution provides that the President can extend his tenure for six months, in the first instance, if he feels that conditions were not ripe for an election.
The legal luminary regretted that the country has not been well run since the advent of the latest democratic dispensation in 1999, citing attempts to subvert the Constitution by exploiting its loopholes.
“I am 84 years old, and I can assure you I’ve had the best time in my life, both in my legal practice, in my social life, in every aspect of life, but I can assure you, that those days are gone by. Since 1999, I have not been a happy man, the way and manner Nigeria has been moved,” Clarke said.
“For instance, look at our first president, Obasanjo with due respect. What was the first negative act he did? ‘I want a third term’. Can you imagine? But he says, ‘oh, it’s not me who wants it, is my friend who is asking me to go for a third term’. That is how we started the 1999 constitution by looking for loopholes to breach the constitution.
“The only consolation is that the constitution provides that the president can stay longer than eight years. I’ve always said it. It is in the constitution.
“If the situation in which we’re in now continues, and it is impossible to vote in the 2023 elections, the constitution says if a situation persists, the President can stay. Given all insurgencies, kidnappings, and Boko Haram, I don’t think in these areas of Nigeria, we can have a good election.
“So, the fact that the constitution says the president cannot stay for more than eight years is wrong. Because the same constitution says he can be given six months if those conditions persist.
“Now, I don’t see any green light. I don’t see how what is happening today can be stopped within a period of six months from today or before February next year when the elections will be held.
“The alternative then is for Mr. President to continue as president, allow the security forces to carry up the mopping up and Nigeria will become stable.”
Clarke warned that the nation may not survive if nothing was done to tackle the insecurity challenges before the elections.
“Because I swear to God Almighty, without stability in Nigeria, without security, Nigeria is going nowhere,” he said.
“No foreigner will bring his money and put in any business in Nigeria when he knows that any of his expatriates who are sent to Nigeria can be kidnapped at any time. So, until all these things are sorted out, I don’t see any green light.
“If nothing happens before the elections, God forbids, this country will be in flames.”
- Former Winger Finidi George Appointed Super Eagles Coach - April 30, 2024
- Edo Governor Announces N70,000 Minimum Wage for Civil Servants - April 30, 2024
- Air Force Strikes Notorious Bandit Camp in Sokoto, Eliminate 3 Commanders - April 29, 2024
