A former PDP deputy national chairman, Chief Bode George, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to implement recommendations of the 2014 constitutional conference to honour Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clark.
George, a retired Naval Commodore and former military governor of Ondo, made this appeal at a media briefing yesterday in Lagos.
Adebanjo, the late leader of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural Orgasation, Afenifere, died on Feb. 14 at 96.
Also, Clark, the late Niger Delta Leader, died on Feb. 17 at 97.
Both deceased nationalists inspired the 2014 constitutional conference convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan and participated in it .
Speaking on how to immortalise the duo, George said the best way to honour them was to release and implement the confab resolutions, into which they put all their lives’ experiences, in the interest of the nation.
George said he got closer to Adebanjo and Clark during the confab, working in the same sub-committee with them on what type of system that should be adopted constitutionally.
“Mr President, I am appealing to you, today May 2, release the report of the 2014 confab for the benefit of the people of this country, in the memories of the two old men to immortalise their names.
“These people (Adebanjo, Clark and other elder statesmen) are crying to Tinubu to release and implement that report.
“The report was unanimously agreed at the plenary session by the delegates, that (implentation) is when we can be at peace.
“When I saw all the work — the contributions of these two elders—and look at it, they died three days apart, I am not afraid to say we are going to take over from where they started,” George said.
According to him, it has become imperative for the nation to look at the report right now” that the ship of the state seems to be drifting in terms of economy, politics, security and others”.
He said the current system and constitution had become incapable of fulfilling the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Nigeria.
“It’s not working. It has never worked and it will never work. I am challenging Mr President, release that report in the memories of these two old men because they contributed the best that God has given them.
“The constitution we are running is defective. It is so military in its is set up. Everything ends with only one man at the Aso Villa as the President,” he added.
According to him, the most worrisome part of the constitution is that that concerns local government administration.
He added: “What has the local government got to do with the President of Nigeria?
