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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA),Bauchi State chapter, Barrister Jibrin O. Jibrin has reacted to the call by elder statesman and erudite lawyer, High Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) for the suspension of the Constitution and constitution of an interim national government as well as the withholding of the 2023 General elections describing such as done in bad faith, uncalled for and unconstitutional.
The Bauchi NBA Chairman while responding said that, “With due respect to learned Senior Counsel, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), the call for postponement of the 2023 elections as well as the setting up of an interim government is in bad faith and uncalled for”.
According to him, “First of all, we need to remember that there can never be a perfect document for a Constitution. As such, the issue for us in Nigeria is lack of faith in the system hence the recourse to frequent constitutional amendment when even the present document has not been faithfully implemented at all levels”.
Jibrin Jibrin added that, “Take for instance, the Constitution of the USA. It has been in operation for a much longer period with fewer amendments compared to our own and yet, the Americans are fairing better. So essentially, the issue in Nigeria is more about the actors and implementers of the Constitution rather than the document itself notwithstanding some of the issues or problems it may have”.
“After all, as I have earlier observed, no constitution the world over, is perfect in the real sense of the word. Another point to take into account is that practically speaking, the timing for a serious constitutional amendment considering the mood, the issues and general State of affairs in the country is wrong”, he stressed.
The NBA Chairman further said that, “It is better that the Buhari administration devote the little time left in bequeathing a legacy of credible election and smooth transition but certainly not constitutional amendment” .
He added that, “As for Bishop Kuka’s alarm, I think the issue is more about providing practical solution than merely harping on the problems, because evidence abound of instances where little or no impact is felt when alarm bells pressers like the Bishop are put in the saddle”.
According to him, “As such, it is my view that the system will benefit more if we focus on profering solutions than merely being critical of the system. God bless Nigeria”.
In his own reaction to the issue, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mohammed Aminu Tukur said that, “There is a viral video of a Christian Minister of God on the pulpit in which he summed up the current negative trend in respect of the polity and political actors in Nigeria. I honestly concur with him” .
Aminu Tukur added that, “In summary to Elders; Afe and Kukah, I think for now, the only remedy to our political stalemate is a revolution to salvage Nigeria. The assumed Corruption Crusader has woefully failed in fighting corruption and maintenance of law and order” .
He stressed that, “Nigeria has drifted already and only the Grace of Almighty God is holding it up. The future is bleak and there is clouds all over as it concerns the 2023 General elections”.
