OUR CONSTITUTION IS NOT A NOVEL

The constitution of the Federal Repubblic of Nigeria is not a Novel but a book of law whose supramacy is over and above all calsses of people therein. Our democratic institution predicated on respect of human lives among other things must reign supreme. The wanton denial of such right and the unrepentant,unremorseful attitude is not only an affront on the law but on the government and Nigerians. The sanctity of life and the inviolability of same as provided in our constitution is not negotiable and any negation of such must be met with iron fist. The recent statement by the chief of Army staf,Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai with regards the lawlessness perpetrated in Zaria is unacceptable. The statement is capable of fueling the existing overheated tension into a chaotic situation thereby plunging Nigeria into yet another serious crisis. His recent statement shows the situation of things as it happened on the unfortunate day that led to the loss of lives of over 300 people that the shi'ite sect were not with weapon as claimed by the military spokesman. This flagrant disregrd of our law by military men who believed they are better than the civilian should be frowned at by the government and the untempered incident of Zaria should be painstakingly and dispationately looked into so as not to create a bad precedent. In the chief of Army Staff latest press release he bodly said "they are the custordian of our democracy"; yes they are, but that does not give them the password or leeway to trample upon those principle they claim and sworn to protect. Their duty is to protect the country against external agression thereby indirectly protecting Nigerian citizen. Their duty is to quell riots and insurrection that threatens Nigerian's unity not to intimidate, oppress and unlawfully deny the people sworn to protect their life. the zaria incident is a test on President Buhari's credential to lead Nigeria in ways provided by the extant law. Our president needs to be constantly reminded that the law that oprates during the military era has no place in a democratic society. The president needs to caution the military and eschew all forms of sentiment in dealing with any altarcations between the military and the civilians. Owing to his background, a beacon of light is shining on him with great expectation and anticipation of how he intends to resolve the incidents in Zari. To say the whole world is watching is to overflog the obvious, the law is clear that no one, class or institution is authorised to take the life of another save according to law. I hope the miliatary will be humble and discipline enough to obey this simple requirement of law. S.A ADEOGUN ESQ