Robert Clarke, a senior advocate of Nigeria, has pinpointed the 1999 Constitution as the root cause of the country’s issues. This statement was made in response to the resolution of the Rivers State crisis, where Bola Tinubu intervened once again.
Clarke, during his appearance on Arise TV’s Good Morning Show, expressed his concerns about the constitution, stating, “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.”
He criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to demolish the state House of Assembly complex, questioning, “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?”
READ MORE: Rivers Crisis: New Twist as PDP Takes Action on 25 Defected Assembly Members
When questioned about Tinubu’s constitutional role in resolving sub-national issues, Clarke clarified that Tinubu does not have a constitutional role in the matter. He stated, “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.”
Clarke advocated for constitutional amendments, expressing his concern about the pursuit of power and money in politics. He 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 challenged the notion that politics in Nigeria is exclusively for politicians, asking, “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.”
Clarke proposed amendments to three areas of the constitution: local government, elections, and party membership rules. He believes that these changes will reduce court cases and propel the country forward, stating, “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.”