Nigeria's Constitutional Democracy in Crisis: Operators of the Constitution Key to Governance

Strategic Insights -

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that Nigeria's constitution is not the country's problem, but rather the operators of the constitution are the key to good governance and the promotion of the welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry. He made the remarks at the opening of a three-day National Summit on the Future of Nigeria's Constitutional Democracy, where attendees discussed the need for reform and restructuring of the 1999 Constitution. The summit, organised by The Patriots in collaboration with Nigeria Political Summit Group, brought together prominent Nigerians to address the fundamental contradictions in the country's governance system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 1999 Constitution, a military decree imposed without the consent of the people, has been described by former Governor of Akwa-Ibom, Victor Attah, as a document that robbed citizens of their sovereignty.
  • Former President Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized that a nation's constitution must reflect the history, constituents, and aspirations of its people, but no constitution is perfect and its success depends on the operators of the constitution.
  • The operators of the constitution play a key role in the implementation and promotion of the wellbeing of citizens, and their actions can pervert and distort the intended purposes of the constitution.
  • The summit attendees identified the need for reform and restructuring of the 1999 Constitution, including the organisation and structure of the Nigerian federation, resource control and fiscal federalism, and electoral and judicial reforms.
  • The summit aims to bring together different regions, sectors, and generations to build a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria.

Statistics:

  • The 1999 Constitution was imposed without the consent of the people.
  • The summit is a citizen-driven constitutional intervention, with months and years of relentless advocacy and extensive consultations.
  • The summit aims to scrutinise vital themes including the organisation and structure of the Nigerian federation, the role and functioning of local governments and traditional institutions, and resource control and fiscal federalism.
  • The summit will also look at electoral and judicial reforms, security concerns nationwide, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a 21st century democracy.

Sources:

  • Remarks by Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, at the opening of the National Summit on the Future of Nigeria's Constitutional Democracy, delivered by Secretary-General, Eminent Patriots, Mr Olawale Okunniyi.
  • Remarks by Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa-Ibom, at the summit, read by Okunniyi.
  • Remarks by Senator Gbenga Daniel, Co-Chairman, Organising Committee of the summit.
  • Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (no specific date or publication date mentioned).