At a national summit convened in Abuja by The Patriots and the Nigerian Political Summit Group, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, delivered a passionate appeal for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s constitution.
Speaking as chairman of the event, Anyaoku emphasized that the survival and future stability of Nigeria depend on the creation of a new, democratic constitution that reflects the country’s multi-ethnic makeup and current realities.
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He contended that the 1999 Constitution lacks the legitimacy of a people-driven document, having been imposed by a military regime.
He argued it fails to accommodate the federal diversity of Nigeria and contributes to inefficiencies in governance.
“Only a constitution that genuinely reflects Nigeria’s diversity can effectively tackle the country’s numerous challenges,” he stated.
Anyaoku noted that Nigeria’s multi-ethnic composition is not in question, asserting that other pluralistic nations have thrived by embracing inclusive and democratic frameworks tailored to their realities.
He further decried the existing constitution as undemocratic, warning that it promotes a bloated governance system that prioritizes administrative expenditure over meaningful development.
He cited the nation’s deteriorating security situation, widespread poverty, and increasing disillusionment among youth as symptoms of a dysfunctional system, and maintained that a new constitution is crucial to chart a different course.
He also addressed the outdated structure of the federation, saying the current 36-state arrangement is no longer sustainable nor effective in fostering national development as seen during Nigeria’s early post-independence years.
“For those who believe that a country’s destiny rests solely on its leadership, I would counter that the legal and constitutional framework shaping governance plays a major role in determining the kind of individuals who rise to positions of power across all branches of government,” he said.
He highlighted the summit’s aim of producing a framework for a new constitution, including the procedural steps to achieve it.
Discussions at the summit would cover major constitutional questions such as:
The choice between a presidential or parliamentary system;Leadership rotation mechanisms and term limits;
The viability of a unicameral versus bicameral legislature;Number and composition of federating units;
The division of responsibilities between federal and sub-national governments;
Security architecture, political structures, and resource control.
Anyaoku stressed that such a constitution must be drafted by a group of individuals elected specifically for that purpose and that the final draft should be ratified through a national referendum to ensure full legitimacy and public trust.
