Human Rights Activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has faulted the position of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) and Chief Edwin Clark over their separate calls for an Interim National Government.
He stated that the calls for an interim government might put the country into serious crisis while suggesting that extra constitutional measures be put in place to address the problems facing Nigeria.
Falana stated made his submission over the weekend in Ilawe Ekiti during the celebration of the 10th year coronation anniversary of the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Alabi.
He said, “The military men brought the country to a shame and dragged it to a disgraceful state for close to 30 years. The country should still not be considered to be taken over by any interim government by anybody”.
The Human rights lawyer stated that the current constitution does not give room for interim government while chiding the views of Nigerians calling for military interventions.
He said, “If those guys had fixed the problems confronting the country, we would not be in this mess, what is important is to address the issue of insecurity in the country. Kaduna State hosts the largest concentration of military and Para-military institutions in the country.
“In the last few weeks, bunches of terrorists have launched violent attacks on Kaduna and this has many implications for the country. Instead of suggesting a coup and an interim government or importation of mercenaries, we have to address the issue of security crisis in the country”.
Falana, however, suggested the need for better funding of the military in order to address the issue of security crisis in the country.
“The constitution provides for adequate security, provisions of adequate equipment for the armed forces, but this is not done properly. The bulk of the money earmarked for procurements of arms and ammunitions are criminally diverted by a coterie of army officers”.
The legal luminary further criticized the federal government’s decision to release the former governors of Plateau and Taraba States, Chief Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame on compassionate ground, revealing that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has abandoned the anti-corruption crusade.
He revealed, “There are those who have stolen billions of Naira whose cases have been dropped and withdrawn from court by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN). As far as this government is concerned, the pardon is just an extension of embracing corruption. The government used the anti-corruption crusade to deceive Nigerians but now the anti-corruption crusade has totally collapsed”.
He further stated that the high nomination fees for APC presidential aspirants at N100 million and PDP for N40 million is illegal, stating that the Nigerian constitution only stipulated that you must be a card carrying member of a registered political party and be educated up to a school certificate level.
He, however, urged the FG to address the high spate of killings in the country while revealing that the next governor of Ekiti state should prioritize job creation, improved health care and maximum security if elected into power.
Packaged By Emmanuel Adeniran
