Mike Ahamba is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In this interview with AMEH EJEKWONYILO, he urges President Muhammadu Buhari to among other things obey the principle of rule of law by subjecting himself and members of his government to the dictates of the Nigerian constitution.
Electoral reform
The President should bring about a new electoral act that will be tailored in a manner that is neutral for both petitioner and respondents. The present one is pro respondent.
Corruption
In tackling corruption, there should be no witch hunting. Any corruption that comes along his way, he should tackle it, no matter who is involved.
Unemployment
Unemployment is not an overnight thing, because the government has to get funds to create jobs outside government. A concerted effort should be made to create job outside the government. At the moment, the biggest employer is government. That burden has to be taken off government. Nigeria should know that it will take a little time to adjust. But the ultimate target is to create jobs outside government than within government.
Implementation of Confab resolution
The President should consider the recommendation objectively and implement appropriately those that ought to be implemented. I never expect that all the resolutions are not meaningful.
Revamping of refineries
It should be at the front burner. It has to be done. To revamp the refinery is task that must be done. The Buhari government must take this serious.
Cost of Governance
This must be reduced, I have always said that one decision I did not like at the confab is the full time legislature. Our legislature should be part time and cut down the cost from there. Government should not be an avenue for making wealth but an avenue for service. Anybody who wants to make money should go into private practice and make as much money and pay appropriate tax.
There is no crime in that, but when we think that it is true government that we will improve our individual economy, no government can thrive under that attitude. Unfortunately that is the attitude we practice in Nigeria. I pray that Buhari together with those whom he works with will find a way to correct this attitude.
Rule of law
He has to uphold rule of law, even if he does not like it. He has already shown that in 1987 when a judgment was given against him, he did not agree but he accepted it. I think that he should continue to do that and continue to tell those that work for him that they are not above the law and orders made against them should be obeyed.
Removal of General from Buhari’s title
He is entitled to that. Chief Obasanjo decided to become Chief. Buhari may want to be addressed as simply Buhari, Alhaji or Mallam. From his first speech after inauguration, we will know how he wants to be addressed.
Defection suit against Tambuwal
All what we are asking the court is to give a definite pronouncement as it bothers on a very important issue that can determine the political state of the country.
The constitutional responsibility need to be interpreted for their successors because the office of the Speaker is a party to the suit. It is necessary that Section 68(2) of the 1999 Constitution be interpreted for stability in the legislature.
It is carpet crossing that is now called defection and such had led to tribalism when it was applied in the West to unseat Nnamdi Azikwe who could have been the Premier of the Western region. It was carpet crossing that led to the civil war and that was why the assembly in 1977 banned carpet crossing.
Now carpet crossing is sneaking in the name of defection and it is threatening the polity, I believe that it is absolutely necessary for the court to decide how this can be stopped, as written in the constitution to prevent the crisis that may emanate from it. That is what we are pursuing and not any individual, we are pursuing stability in the polity.
