Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku; Retired General Ike Nwachukwu, and Peter Obi have jointly advocated for the establishment of a “new legitimate Federalist Constitution for Nigeria” that can authentically represent and accommodate the country’s rich diversity. They emphasized the critical need for urgent attention to be directed towards drafting this new constitution to prevent the nation from teetering on the edge of collapse.
They made these assertions during a significant colloquium held on June 12, titled “Securing the future of Nigeria through a new democratic people’s constitution.” The event, commemorating Democracy Day, took place at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Additional high-profile personalities, including the leader of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima, echoed the call for a revamped constitution at the colloquium.
Speakers emphasized that Nigeria’s current constitutional framework is ill-suited to address the myriad challenges facing the nation, resulting in a stagnant and unproductive system that fails to embrace its diverse population.
Anyaoku, leading the discussions, highlighted the historical struggle of Nigeria in effectively managing its diverse populace, particularly underscoring the disruptive impact of military interventions that undercut prior constitutional arrangements dating back to the 1960s.
The speakers warned that failing to address Nigeria’s diversity could lead to disintegration, citing cautionary tales from nations like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Sudan. In contrast, they held up countries such as Canada and India as models of nations that successfully navigated diversity by implementing inclusive constitutional frameworks.
An urgent appeal was made for a new, authentic constitution that could confront the contemporary challenges confronting Nigeria. Suggestions included the establishment of a constituent assembly comprising democratically elected representatives with a non-partisan focus, guided by historical constitutional references and previous recommendations for constitutional reform.
General Nwachukwu emphasized the need for a true Federalist Constitution that respects and accommodates the nation’s diversity, suggesting key elements such as federating unit autonomy, freedom of expression, security, prosperity, and the promotion of a balanced and sustainable nation.
In alignment with these sentiments, Peter Obi of the Labour Party stressed the importance of a genuine national constitution, echoing the need for a profound constitutional transformation in Nigeria.
Yerima went further to denounce the current 1999 Constitution as a fraudulent document imposed on Nigerians, underscoring the urgent necessity for a constitution that garners genuine acceptance across the nation.
The discussions underscored the importance of embracing democracy, upholding the values enshrined by the founding fathers, and ensuring that promises made are reflected in Nigeria’s constitutional fabric to honor its diverse populace and pave the way for a prosperous and unified future.
