Tobias Sylvester
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Robert Clarke has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to extend his tenure in order to tackle the country’s security challenges.
Robert Clarke Ask Buhari To Extend His Tenure
The elder statesman, who made the call on Arise Television’s morning show on Monday, said the constitution provides that the president can extend his tenure for six months in the first instance if conditions were not ripe for an election.
Clarke argued that the few months remaining before the 2023 elections are not sufficient to put an end to the insecurity in the country to make the conduct of the election possible.
He averred that it was wrong to believe that the President cannot stay in office for more than eight years of two tenures, stressing that Buhari can continue to give himself a fresh six months extension until the country becomes stable.
The senior advocate, who lamented that Nigeria has had the worst form of government, warned that the nation may not survive if nothing was done before the elections.
He said: “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 election, the Constitution says if a situation persists, the President will write INEC in view of all insurgencies, in view of kidnappings, in view of Boko Haram, I don’t think in these different areas of Nigeria, we can have a good election.
“The Constitution says I am going to stay for six months and in the first instance. 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 giving himself six 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 watches to carry up the mopping up and Nigeria will become stable.
“Because I swear to God Almighty, without stability in Nigeria, without security, Nigeria is going nowhere. 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.”
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 explioting its loopholes.
He added: “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.
“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 are asking me to go for a third term.
“That is how we started 1999 constitution by looking for loopholes to breach the Constitution. I don’t see any green light for Nigeria. And if we’re not careful, if we’re not careful…the only consolation is this.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Femi Adesina said Nigeria would have long been forgotten had President Buhari not came along to save the nation’s downfall into oblivion.
