The demand for true federalism in Nigeria is gradually gaining grounds if the on-going Constitution Review Public Hearing is anything to go-by. Already, Law makers and their various state governors from each zones of the federation have settled down for this serious national assignment many believe would either make or mar Nigeria. Unfortunately, commentators on national issues and many other socio-political groups have argued that, what the country needs right now is a fresh constitution, insisting that, you cannot amend a constitution that is based on falsehood; talking about the 1999 constitution as amended. These groups are not alone. The governor of Delta State, Senator, Ifeanyi Okowa advocates for new constitution and not review, while governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State canvassed for national dialogue and the list continues… others see the zonal constitution review as mere jamboree by the politicians who many believed are the architect of the Nigeria woes since they do not walk their talk. Unconfirmed report alleged that a whopping sum of Two Billion Naira (2,000,000,000), already have been earmarked to be shared, One billion (1,000,000,000), a piece, between the upper and the lower legislative chambers for the on-going constitution review exercise. Recall that several billions of naira was also spent during the 2014 constitution confab, under former president Goodluck Jonathan that up till now did not see the light of the day.
The 1963 constitution where the presidential system of government we practice today is anchored, many agreed is still the best way to go, since its application and practice would allow each region to develop and grow at its own pace without hindrances which was the case, when Nigeria gained Independence in 1960 from the British Colonial Masters. To have a fundamental reviewed constitution of the 1999 constitution as amended seriously will be a rigorous exercise, because the law makers would have to consult with their people, beginning from the local government level, state, and down to the federal. The fear has always been that mere review of the constitution would not touch on the key issues that seek to divide the country and those that have retarded our growth, 61 years after independence. This is why many across board are in favour of a brand new constitution capable of addressing modern issues confronting our corporate existence individually and collectively as citizens. Owing to the situation the country has found itself, sincerely politicians of today should understand that the rhythm of the Nigeria music has changed such that time is running out for them to correct the mistakes and injuries they have inflicted on all of us. Today in Nigeria trust is at its minimum in this government and this is why the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, charged politicians to walk their talks, just as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, cautioned that time is not on our side if nothing urgent is done to calm the fraying nerves, that Nigeria may go up in flames. Whether constitution review or brand new constitution, one important fact remains that, Nigeria is in dire need of patriotic leaders who are capable of inspiring hope and taking the country out from its present political quagmire.
We may have wasted a lot of golden opportunities in the past chasing shadows in the name of ethnic and religious politics but the reality today is that Nigeria is sliding by the day and need patriotic men and women that will stand in the gap, unless we want to say: “there was a country”. We call on the members of the National Assembly, the Governors and the Federal Government to see that something tangible and fruitful come out from the on-going exercise because the people cannot be fooled all the time. It has become crystal clear that the 1999 constitution as amended can no longer hold the country together and therefore the demand of the people for inclusive constitution should not be ignored any more. It’s also pertinent to infer here that, the game of some politicians who may want to hide under any kind of primordial sentiment to subvert the will of the people is also up, and such politicians should be seen as the real enemies of the state and not those asking for equal right, equity and justice. The President too, Muhammadu Buhari, as a leader should inspire hope and not to be raising alarm because every alarm raised like the one of security which he said impinges his developmental plan, de-markets the country, Nigeria which he is currently the leader.
