The wrongs in the 1999 constitution
That the Federal Republic of Nigeria is today being administered as per a constitution that is ill-conceived is a reality that is widely shared. Many have perceived the constitution’s absence of good position; however, two things have gotten away from notice.
To start with, in the origination and proclamation of the 1999 constitution, an incredible trickery was rehearsed on the Nigerian citizens by the departing Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) of the military government.
Secondly, the1999 constitution is indeed void. The principal point has never been perceived, and many may instinctually mistake it for the different issue of the constitution’s absence of authenticity. Even though the two problems are not firmly related, they are extraordinary. One point of this article is to uncover this duplicity. The second point that has gotten away from notice will bring incredible amazement because even those that confirm the constitution’s wrongness promptly surrender to its lawfulness.
In this manner, the article furnishes the courts with the lawful reason for this constitution’s invalidation. It likewise forms two guidelines for managing the numerous issues that would result following the constitution’s abrogation.
The call for the legal dismissal of this constitution isn’t scholarly, as many may quickly accept. It is an issue that goes to the actual endurance of Nigeria’s majority rule government. This is because the abrogation will prepare for the indictment of those that sabotaged Nigeria’s democracy on 31 December 1983.
Presently, would-be coup plotters could realize that they face just one danger when arranging an overthrow: the threat of failure. Where this danger is low, and the chances of success are high, such people can endeavour a coup.
If history repeats itself, the coup plotters can hope to stay in influence for a while and resign with ill-gotten riches. Nigerian law, truth be told, currently rewards coup plotters. This is because a couple of days before the military surrendered authority to the civilians on 29 May 1999, a declaration was proclaimed that goes to underscore the size of the military class’s insatiability that has governed Nigeria for a very long time.
The Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State pampers all ‘previous Heads of States’, Vice Presidents, Chiefs of General Staff and their separate families. For example, the pronouncement states that a resigned military leader will be qualified for the amount of 350,000 Naira for each month, the service of an individual official, a personal secretary, three vehicles that are to be supplanted at regular intervals, the benefits of escorts, free clinical treatment for himself and his relatives inside and outside Nigeria, 30 days yearly state-subsidized excursion inside and outside Nigeria, a very much outfitted and prepared office, and an all-round equipped room house, both in any area of choice in Nigeria despite committing the crime of overthrowing legitimate and elected governments.
The constitution is vital for maintaining democracy; thus, crucial lapses in the constitution should be acknowledged and blocked early to avoid chaos.
Reference: REMUNERATION OF FORMER PRESIDENTS AND HEADS OF STATE ACT. https://lawcarenigeria.com/remuneration-of-former-presidents-and-heads-of-state-act/