Nigerian elder statesman, Robert Clarke, SAN, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari may have to serve for an extra six months to address the country’s security challenges. ayokinews.com reports
Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Monday, Clarke pointed out that the Nigerian 1999 constitution allows the president to extend his term of office for an extra six months if election conditions are not favorable.
Buhari’s term ends on May 29, 2023, just over a year from now.
Clarke, who expressed concern that the country was heading in the wrong path, claimed that insecurity had grown uncontrollable and may disrupt the planned general elections in 2023.
The Elder statesman 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 elections, the Constitution says if a situation persists, the President can stay. Given all insurgencies, kidnappings, and Boko Haram, I don’t think in these areas of Nigeria, we can have a good election.
“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 given six months if those conditions persist.
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“Now, I don’t see any green light. I don’t see how what is happening today can be stopped within 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 forbid, this country will go down in flames,” Clark said.
Clarke’s statement came only three weeks after legal luminary Afe Babalola, urged that the country’s 2023 elections be postponed and an interim administration be established after the conclusion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s term.
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