1999 Constitution is the problem of Nigeria – Clarke

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Robert Clarke, has said the 1999 Constitution is the problem of Nigeria.

He stated this in an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday and called for the review of the Constitution saying it is the cornerstone of the nation.

According to him, “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 crisis, the senior attorney 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.

Clarke stated that three areas in the constitution require amendment: local government; elections; and the question of who is eligible to join a party and why a party should have a disproportionate influence on 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.”