Buhari on rule of law: Withdraw statement, stop rewriting constitution – Edwin Clark

Chief Edwin Clark

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has condemned a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari that his administration would continue to place national security and interests above the rule of law.

Buhari made the comment at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday.

Clark while speaking at the second Summit of Nigerian Elders and Leaders on ‘the State of Democracy, the Economy and National Security’ in Abuja, described Buhari’s statement as “an attempt to rewrite the constitution and a calculated assault on constitutional governance, the rule of law and democracy.”

The Ijaw leader vowed to continue to oppose the President on issues that were against the rule of law, insisting that he should withdraw his statement.

Clark said, “He (Buhari) is now rewriting the constitution; I think we have to remind our President that he did not stage a coup to become the president and he should know that we are guided by the law.

“Buhari is taking steps each day to silence the opposition. We will not accept this impunity. We must take serious steps to let Buhari know that he is taking the wrong steps.

“I want to reassure you that no one can intimidate us from discussing the progress of this country. At 91, I am old and I do not need anything from anybody. So we will be free to speak our minds, provided it is in the interest of this country.”