According to Chief Robert Clarke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the nation will remain mired in sociopolitical issues until the 1999 constitution, which lacks some federalism-related provisions, is changed.
The 1963 constitution, he claimed, has served Nigeria the best over the years that he has been practicing law.
The majority of our nation’s problems, according to him, would be resolved automatically if a committee were to be established to review the 1963 constitution and make changes in light of contemporary developments.
According to Chief Clarke, the president and governors are given so much authority under the 1999 constitution that no one could hold them accountable for any wrongdoing or improper use of public funds while they are in office.
“We call ourselves a Federal Republic of Nigeria, but is there anything in the constitution that makes it a federal republic? Every month, the governors of the 36 states travel to Abuja to collect (allocation) stipends, and if the federal government gave them, for example, an ecological fund and they decided to divert it for personal reasons, nobody may know because the funds are not appropriated.
“Section 5 of the Constitution encouraged this abnormality. For example, it granted the executive president and the executive governors a significant amount of authority.
The nation might continue to face its current problems for a very long time unless a committee is established to examine the 1963 constitution in the context of our modern development. The price of government is too high. Given that the House of Assembly is where all the money is spent, we only need four or five regions.
During a celebration of his 85th birthday and the merger of two law firms, Chief Robert Clarke SAN and Ade Oshodi Partners as a company in Lagos, Chief Clarke made this statement.
The senior attorney responded to a query regarding the selection of sitting judges as members of the Electoral Tribunals by saying, “So far, the judiciary is neither here nor there. Nigeria’s populace is its main issue. Although our diversity is complex, corruption is still our worst enemy and the people who control our public offices, so federalism continues to be the best option.
“The constitution must be examined with regard to judicial appointments.
As a result of the constitution giving governors the authority to appoint judges, judges today cannot be appointed if they are not friends of the governor.
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Ade Oshodi, a barrister, also spoke at the event and reaffirmed his dedication to the legacy and legal path Chief Clarke had left for him. He also expressed hope that the judiciary, the last bastion of the common man, would soon overcome its current difficulties.
By-:Eghosa-Osawe Jr.
