Agitation For Secession Not Unconstitutional, Buhari Once Called For It

Former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) has said that peaceful agitation for secession is not unconstitutional.

He stated this while reacting to the agitation for secession led by Nnamdi Kanu of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho.

“Like I said sometime in an interview, I’m not aware of any law that says the call for secession is illegal or criminal.

“In fact, as far back as 1951, the North had called for secession first, and recently, I saw a newspaper cutting where the president was reported to have called for secession. No law against it,” Banire told Saturday Sun.

The former Lagos commissioner stated that every well-meaning Nigeria is worried about the state of the nation, which he said was going through a “very turbulent and challenging period” in its history.

“Our currency is nose-diving daily, the economy is dwindling, insecurity is rising unemployment is soaring.

“So, virtually, in all facets, we are challenged. Any patriotic Nigerian will be worried; even if you are not patriotic in one way or the other, you will be impacted,” Banire said.

However, he disagreed with those touting restructuring as the solution to Nigeria’s problems.

He identified credible election leading to credible leadership as the panacea to the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

“This is the only way out of this lockdown; we need people who are round pegs in round holes to take over the mantle of leadership in the country.

“To get to that destination., we need to have credible elections and to do this, there is an urgent need for the reform of our electoral process, which continues to give us garbage in terms of leaders.

“If that is done, possibly at the end of the day, we have visionary and missionary leaders that will be able to paddle the affairs of the country into our desired destination,” the senior lawyer said.