Robert Clarke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has requested that the 1999 Constitution be revised, alleging that it is at the source of all of the country’s problems.
Clarke stated this on Arise Television on Tuesday, December 19.
He said:
“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.
Regarding the Rivers issue, the senior lawyer stated that President Bola Tinubu is not entitled to a constitutional say in the matter.
He said:
“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.”
Clarke said the three areas in the constitution that need amendment are: Local government; election; who can belong to a party and why should a party be the dominant factor in elections in Nigeria.
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.”