Make chapter 2 of constitution justiciable, says lawyer

A lawyer, Mack Ogbamosa, has advocated the justiciability of Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution in order to ensure a responsible government in the country.

He said under Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in Chapter 2, the government is supposed to provide education and social welfare to the citizens but instead of making the obligations compulsory.

But the constitution went ahead in Section 6(c) to deny Nigerians such rights by stating that government cannot be taken to court to answer questions as to why they did not comply with the constitutional provisions.

Speaking at a two-day marketing communications summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State Chapter, the lawyer said most Nigerian governments were not responsible to their citizens because there was nothing constitutionally compelling them to do so.

He said this was not only one sure way to improve public governance but also to reduce corruption and poverty.

For the judiciary to be efficient, there was need to make it independent and enhance the welfare of judicial officials, he added.

He lauded the Federal Government for its current war on corruption and advised that due process must be adhered to get positive results.