By Ken Afor
Renowned lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Robert Clark, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the 1999 Constitution, highlighting its role as the fundamental cause of the nation’s challenges.
Clark, in response to Monday’s intervention in the political dispute between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, criticized the President’s action, asserting that he does not possess the constitutional authority to resolve the conflict between the conflicting factions.
However, he emphasized that the only time the federal government would interfere on state matters was during the First Republic.
He further highlighted that the current system revolves around money and power.
His words, “The 1999 constitution is the cornerstone of our problems. In every area of political line, especially in the area of election, when the constitution restricts those who can come and be voted for;
“Or, who can vote for, something must be wrong with that constitution. The problem today is not what the President says.
“The constitutional role of the President in all these fracas, there should have been none. The only time the constitution allowed the Federal Government to put its mouth was during the First Republic.
“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.
“If you count down governors who have served in Nigeria since 2000, ask them to come show us their bank account, you will be shocked.
“We have to ask ourselves, is politics in Nigeria only meant for politicians? Why can’t people like us contest an election without joining a political party? Why do we need a political party? This is the problem we have in Nigeria today.”
Meanwhile, on the constitution, Clark highlighted three key areas that require amendment: local government, elections, and the criteria for party membership.
Also, the renowned lawyer questioned the significance of a party being the dominant factor in Nigerian elections.
He said, “Once you do the three areas in Nigeria today, I can assure you, you won’t hear about any court cases. This country will move forward.”
It would be recalled, the recent political turmoil in Rivers state took a new turn with the approval of the budget. A truce was reached on Monday, led by President Bola Tinubu, where key figures such as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Mrs Ngozi Odu, former Governor Peter Odili, and Minister Nyesome Wike, along with other stakeholders, were involved in the negotiations.
Fubara and his team were instructed by the President to promptly withdraw all lawsuits filed in the courts concerning the political turmoil in Rivers State.
The resolution was endorsed by Fubara, his deputy Ordu, Wike, Ribadu, Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, Aaron Chukwuemeka, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, and Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
As per the directive, Fubara was instructed to present the 2024 appropriation bill, which he had previously presented to the four-member state House of Assembly, to the entire House.
Furthermore, the directive stated that all impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers Assembly against Fubara must be immediately abandoned.
