Legal Luminary Calls for Constitutional Amendment Amidst Rivers State Political Crisis
Legal Luminary Calls for Constitutional Amendment Amidst Rivers State Political Crisis
In a candid interview on Arise TV’s Good Morning Show, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Robert Clarke pinpointed the 1999 Constitution as the root cause of Nigeria’s challenges. Clarke’s remarks came in response to the recent intervention by President Bola Tinubu in the Rivers State crisis.
“The 1999 constitution is the cornerstone of our problems,” Clarke asserted. “In every area of the political spectrum, especially in elections, when the constitution restricts those who can be voted for or vote, something must be wrong with that constitution. The problem today is not what the President says.”
Clarke expressed concern over the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, questioning the governor’s actions: “Why should a governor bring a caterpillar and bring down the state House of Assembly? Does that show sanity, and you voted for such a person?”
Addressing the constitutional role of the President in sub-national matters, the SAN emphasized that Tinubu had no constitutional authority in the issue. “The constitutional role of the President in all these fracas, there should have been none,” he stated, highlighting the need for constitutional amendments.
Calling for a reevaluation of the current political landscape, Clarke said, “All that we are running after today is power and money. Those two elements, where do you get them in Nigeria? They are only from politics.” He raised questions about the exclusive nature of politics in Nigeria and advocated for the removal of party dominance in elections.
Clarke outlined three critical areas in the constitution requiring amendment: local government structure, election processes, and the criteria for party membership. “Once you address these three areas in Nigeria today, I can assure you, you won’t hear about any court cases. This country will move forward,” he asserted.
The PUNCH reported a potential resolution to the political crisis in Rivers State, following talks at the Aso Rock Villa involving President Bola Tinubu, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and other stakeholders. According to the report, an eight-point resolution was signed, directing the withdrawal of lawsuits, the re-presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill, and the immediate cessation of impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
Legal Luminary Calls for Constitutional Amendment Amidst Rivers State Political Crisis
