Government officials and agents subverting the nation’s constitution should not expect to go unpunished, the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has warned.
Buhari told reporters at the weekend in his Daura hometown, Katsina State, that anyone, whatever his political allegiance, found to be working against the constitution would be brought to book.
Saying he was ready to work in concert with the National Assembly to ensure constitutional amendments where necessary, the president-elect added that he would encourage the implementation of the Uwais report, especially in the area of institution of a special court to try electoral offenders.
He said: “I will look for understanding and cooperation from the National Assembly when a change of the constitution or Electoral Act is necessary.
“So, for me to make up my mind here and later try to lobby is out of it because some of them, if they are very hard, they will give me a tough time.
“I will say that I haven’t read the Uwais report. But I have read a few of the extracts from the papers. I think it is a good thing and we will encourage it. But we need to get a comprehensive report from the field.”
He cited the lawlessness that characterised the elections in parts of the country, especially Rivers, Imo and Edo states.
Gen. Buhari said Nigerians deserve to know “which of the law enforcement agencies and at what levels are undermining the constitution of Nigeria because the Electoral Act is derived from the constitution of the country. So, that in future, those who are in positions will know that they are not beyond the law.
“I think that is what will bring more stability into the system. In view of that, I will try and work with the National Assembly to make sure that we do something about it.
“I will like to work within the system because we believe in it. I have just told you about three governors and the battle they have with the law enforcement agents in their states.
“We discussed and advised them to try and document these things legally so that it can be taken before the court and we will make sure that people who work against the law are prosecuted, especially those who have lost their immunity and those who think they have immunity because this is the best way to stabilise the system.
“People must not benefit from being lawless. You can’t be in a position by virtue of the constitution, then subvert the constitution and continue to enjoy the privileges offered by the constitution. I don’t think that will be acceptable by the APC. So, whether you are in the opposition or the government, you have to behave yourself. I think that is the way we can make progress”.
On the violence in Lagos and Rivers states, Buhari said: “I think we should allow the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to give its comprehensive report. Meanwhile, as you mentioned in some of the states, especially in Rivers and Lagos, the two parties are slugging it out. I think we have to take our time and let us get as much report as possible in accordance with the Electoral Act.
“I personally want to be legal about this so that people will appreciate that we believe in a system. What we need to do is to modify the system according to the law if we don’t like it and that no one should come out and do to the system whatever he likes.
“For what is happening in Lagos, I think that for whatever political reason, the PDP wants to have Lagos by all means.
“I have a lot of respect for the governor of Rivers State; for his courage. It has been a long time, as you all know, where at a certain time, the Commissioner of a Police virtually hijacked the state and the governor was virtually sentenced to the streets, fighting thugs without law enforcement agents to survive as governor, while the constitution made it very clear to all of us that the governor is the chief security officer of the state.
“So, a lot of unconstitutional and lawless acts of the PDP are on record and we intend to make the PDP understand it and make sure that according to law, those who are responsible for that are taken to the court and properly charged.”