By James Orji
Plan to keep President Muhammadu Buhari in office beyond 2023 appears to be gaining traction, watchers of political events in the country have said.The incumbent’s tenure expires next year by which time he would have completed the statutory two terms as commander in chief.
But its seems some vested forces are planning to elongate the president’s tenure beyond what is specified in the constitution, insiders who are familiar with the issue told the magazine, at a time some politicians are already campaigning to take over power from him next.
Buhari has, however, promised not to stay in office beyond next year.
An elder statesman, Chief Robert Clarke, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN said on Monday that Buhari can remain in office beyond next year, citing the security situation in the country as a reason. According to him, the president can extend his tenure to tackle an emergency, noting that the prevailing security situation will not allow for a seamless election in the country next year.
Clarke made the assertion on the heels of an earlier call by Afe Babalola, another senior advocate that next year’s election should be suspended, while Buhari hands over power to an Interim National Government, ING. Babalola said the ING must be in office for six months to organise a credible election for the country.
The only elected president that tried to extend his tenure in office is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He failed in what is now famously known as the third term saga.
Stating his position, Clarke said Buhari must tackle the menace of Boko Haram, bandits, kidnapping before organising a fresh election in the country, noting that this cannot be achieved within the few months before the scheduled 2023 election.
Clark who spoke on Arise Television argued that the months preceding the 2023 elections are not sufficient to put an end to the insecurity, making the conduct of election possible.
He maintained that the Constitution provides that the President can extend his tenure for six months, in the first instance, if he feels that conditions are not good to carry out elections.
He argued that it’s an erroneous belief that the President cannot stay in office for more than eight years of two tenure, saying the President can extend his tenure by at least six months to take care of a national emergency.
According to him,: “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 election, the Constitution says if a situation persists, the President will write INEC in view of all insurgencies, in view of kidnappings, in view of Boko Haram, I don’t think in these different areas of Nigeria, we can have a good election.
“The Constitution says I am going to stay for six months and in the first instance. 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 giving himself six six months if those conditions persist.
“Now, I don’t see any green light. I don’t see how what is happening today can be stopped within a period of 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.”
He explained that the security situation in the country is sending investors away, adding that Nigeria could collapse if these problems are not resolved before any election is held.
He said: “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 forbids, this country will be in flames,” Clarke warned.
He explained that the country has been mismanaged since the return to democracy in 1999.
He added: “I am 84 years old, and I can assure you I’ve had the best time in my life, both in my legal practice, in my social life, in every aspect of life, but I can assure you, that those days are gone by. Since 1999, I have not been a happy man, the way and manner Nigeria has been moved.
“For instance, look at our first President, Obasanjo with due respect. What was the first negative act he did? I want a third term. Can you imagine? But he says, oh, it’s not me who wants it, is my friend who are asking me to go for a third term.
“That is how we started 1999 constitution by looking for loopholes to breach the Constitution. I don’t see any green light for Nigeria. And if we’re not careful, if we’re not careful…the only consolation is this.”
