Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has said the proposal for the constitution of an interim administration after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure can give room for anarchy.
The governor said this Tuesday while responding to questions from State House reporters after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
A legal luminary and the founder of Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, had on Monday advised the Federal Government to suspend the 2023 elections to allow a six-month interim government after Buhari’s tenure.
He said members of the interim government should be drawn from all living former presidents and vice presidents; some selected ministers and governors and delegates of prominent professional associations.
Babalola called for the suspension of 2023 elections until Nigeria has “a new-look peoples’ Constitution which should provide for part-time legislators and non-executive president”, adding that it should be able to address insecurity, economic, political and other excruciating ills bedeviling the country.
The legal icon also proposed that the new constitution should also provide that there shall be no salary, but sitting allowances only for lawmakers.
He had said: “The same constitution has made politics become not only very attractive, but the only lucrative business in Nigeria today.
“What this means is that any election that holds under the present scenario will end up producing transactional and recycled leaders, with no ability to turn things around.”
“It (new constitution) should provide a true federal system of government, instead of the expensive presidential system of government. I suggest parliamentary system of government, with a unicameral legislature.
“The new constitution should also provide a body at the local, state and federal levels to screen all aspirants on the sources of their wealth and means of livelihood, criminal record which includes pending suits,” he added.
But the governor, while reacting to a question on the suggestion, said “Nigeria’s constitution has no room for an interregnum and wondered how the interim government would arise if there was no election to replace the current administration.”
Asked about his opinion on Babalola’s suggestion, he responded: “By May 29, if there is no elected government, our constitution has not provided for an interregnum. There shouldn’t be a gap, otherwise you are creating room for anarchy.
“What will be the process of selecting the interim government because after May 29, the president may not have constitutional powers to function as a president anymore? So, I don’t think we will decide to abandon our constitution.
“Constitution is like a bible. Some of us who are Christians, the Bible is the manager of our faith. So, the Constitution should be the instrument guiding our actions as a country.
“If you think there is an opinion you think that is worthy to be canvassed superior to what is in the Nigerian constitution, such opinion should be taken to the National Assembly and they will through due process amend our constitution to factor in such a opinion.”
