Constitution review should tackle corruption -Monguno

WHAT is you view on current public discourse on the call for the president to resign on health grounds considering constitutional provisions in Sections 143-146, regional as well as political interests?   Now, some people have wished the president dead long before he even contested and won the presidency. Perhaps those people now still want […]

WHAT is you view on current public discourse on the call for the president to resign on health grounds considering constitutional provisions in Sections 143-146, regional as well as political interests?

 

Now, some people have wished the president dead long before he even contested and won the presidency. Perhaps those people now still want him to resign. My first wish is I am praying for his speedy and full recovery. As to the constitutional position you referred to, well there is the constitution. I don’t exactly remember what the constitution says and no instant knowledge to remember what the constitutional provision also says. Now as to demanding his resignation, you see the president stood for election on the platform of his own party. It is the party that campaigned for him and he won. And for anybody else outside his party, or even within his party, to have wished for his resignation, let that person or those persons, go back to their own party, and look at the position our president is currently in. For me it is perhaps or may be considered too strong a word. Those people who wish him dead and those who wish him to resign should remember that they too are on the road to death; and death comes when Allah wishes. So people should not be blabbing about his resignation. As to the constitutional position, let the whole nation – the Senate as well as the House of Representative, let them look at the situation and find out what the constitution says. Usually, some people would like to take it upon themselves to interpret the constitution and wishing their wishes to happen. 

  I normally say, well, constitutions are made by people and constitutions could be reviewed from time to time from experience, and there is nothing wrong actually in the words and the provisions of the constitution. It is usually the operators wishing to interpret the provisions of the constitution there own way, giving their own meanings that create the problem. So, I wish the President in his present situation the best that God should direct him. God’s choice is the best!

 

Recent statements credited to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed claim the presidency has devised means through which presidential approvals can be sought in Saudi Arabia on supplementary budgetary bills passed by the National Assembly. What is your view on such arrangements?

 

Well, on this particular issue, I don’t know what the SFG had said. But looking at the situation, the country would look at similar situations worldwide. Why can’t we do that? There were presidents in other countries in similar position. And let them look at what happened then in those countries. We would probably gain some experience. We would probably find out the true positions. But running away from the provisions of the constitution, as I said earlier on, I am not a constitutionalist.

  For every problem, there is a solution. The solution may be far-fetched. But let them look at the situation. But as far as I am concerned, right now, I cannot comment on what Yayale Ahmed has to say or what the President of a country outside his country has the powers to do. This is a very big question.

 

Don’t you think the president has violated the constitution by not officially informing NASS before leaving and empowering the VP to act on his behalf?

Well, I don’t know. But bring together all the constitutionalists and ask them to look at the provisions of the constitution. But this is not the first time that the President is away; and his council had continued in his absence. What happened then? Weren’t there meetings presided over by the Vice President ever during his absence? Were the decisions taken by that meeting rejected or not complied with? When he went on a trip to Brazil or to foreign hospitals for checkup, at various periods, the Federal Executive Council met and took decisions. And such decisions to my understanding were implemented. So, why this new thing now!

Some people are saying that if President Yar’adua eventually resigns, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan should also resign along with him. What is your opinion on this?

 

Well, earlier on I think we talked about constitutional provisions. How can I as a single individual sitting here say people shouldn’t obey the provisions of their constitution? If it is so felt, if the National Assembly refuses, disagrees or does not find what is being said or rumored about, then who amends the constitution? There are provisions for the amendments of the constitution and they can do whatever they want to do. Whatever is in the constitution, so is the constitution. But the constitution being man made, thus, man is in the position to amend, to suit his case. As they say, circumstances alter cases.

 

If President Yar’adua’s health improves, would you advise him to contest in the 2011 Elections or would you rather he quits?

 

There is one thing I know. The people of this country have been watching him on important occasions whenever he spoke. And I do not believe there would be any individual, any human being watching him on screen that wouldn’t feel sorry for him. But at the same time, only the ungodly will sort of wish him dead. Whether Yar’adua would like to contest or to continue after (as