It is sad, unfortunate and alarming that more than 21 years since Nigeria transited back to democratic civilian rule, statements from top quarters now pervade the air about a possible military coup in this country.
Statements in recent days by the Presidency, Department of State Service [DSS] and Defence Headquarters [DHQ] all referred to this subject matter. They unnecessarily lent credence to it and added to create an atmosphere of tension and anxiety.
The bone of contention was a statement made on television by a private lawyer, Robert Clarke, SAN. He reportedly said Nigeria could soon collapse due to the insecurity pervading the country. He then called for the military to assume leadership in order to effect restructuring of the country. If indeed this senior lawyer said that, then it is unfortunate, unwise and unpatriotic. His idea is bereft of legality or wisdom.
Maybe in response to him, DHQ restated the military’s loyalty to civilian authority and warned all soldiers not to contemplate any illegal political adventure. It said the Armed Forces remain fully committed to democratic institutions and will remain apolitical, subordinate to civil authority and firmly loyal to the President, Commander-in-Chief and the Constitution. It “warned misguided politicians who nurse the inordinate ambition to rule Nigeria outside the ballot box to banish such thoughts.”
On its part, DSS warned “misguided elements” threatening Nigeria’s unity and peaceful co-existence to desist from doing so. It said that henceforth, it would no longer tolerate those whose aim was to “throw the country into anarchy.” The Presidency then waded in with its own statement, saying “disgruntled religious and past political leaders” are working with “external forces” to overthrow the Buhari Administration. It has “unimpeachable evidence,” it said, of a plan to recruit leaders of some ethnic groups and politicians to pass a vote of no confidence on Buhari and “throw the land into further turmoil.”
We are disappointed, embarrassed and very much saddened that just when we thought democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and all actors are working hard to exploit opportunities offered by it, some people have irresponsibly raised the specter of unconstitutional power change.
As a SAN, Mr. Robert Clarke ought to know better that every kind of change, including restructuring, is possible under the 1999 Constitution. All that is required is to mobilise enough support for it across the country. One could work to get elected to high office with the specific mandate to restructure the country. Short of that, one could also mobilise enough federal and state legislative support to amend the constitution and institute any kind of structure he advocates.
Mr. Clarke is clearly unable to do that, hence his seeking an illegal and unconstitutional short cut through a coup. If a majority of Nigerians across the country want to restructure, it can be done under this constitution. If not, even a military government cannot carry out Clarke’s wishes without encountering massive resistance from those opposed to it.
The key to success is to mobilise majority support. No political idea is so sacrosanct that the constitution has to be sidestepped or overthrown for it to be instituted. It is a shame that a senior member of the bar should offer this illegal and unconscionable suggestion. We should collectively throw his suggestion out of the window without much ado.
