Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku has stated that Nigeria needs a new Constitution that will reflect the needs and yearnings of the people.
Chief Anyanku stated this in his welcome address at the National Summit organised by The Patriots and the Nigerian Political Summit Group in Abuja, on Wednesday.
He further said that the present 1999 Constitution as amended was not democratically formulated, instead imposed on the country through a decree by the military administration.
The former Commonwealth scribe said the governance system derived from the constitution was not only non-inclusive but also induces over-expenditure of the country’s resources on administration rather than on capital development.
“There are incontrovertible facts about the current situation in our country which is serious insecurity of life and property with kidnappings and killings happening virtually every day in most parts of the country especially in the Middle Belt, the North-East and the North-West regions where not only huge numbers of life and property are regularly lost, but also farmers are no longer able to go to their farms thereby impacting adversely on the country’s food supply,” he noted.
Anyaoku also said Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world with the levels of poverty and sufferings among the citizens rising instead of diminishing.
He noted that the development of the country’s infrastructure was generally lagging behind, including especially the health and education facilities which in many cases were no longer fit for purpose.
He further stressed the need of national unity within the pluralistic country that is still struggling to become a nation. “Hopelessness and lack of confidence in the future among the growing population of the young people, and overall, the present 36 federating units are obviously incapable of generating and sustaining the pace of national development achieved in the early years of the country’s independence.”
He therefore hoped that deliberations at this summit which has in attendance many leaders of thought and representatives of the country’s major socio-cultural groups, as well as representatives of the important women and youth sections of the society, will produce recommendations on the key elements of the desired new constitution and the process of its actualisation.
Similarly, Senator Aminu Tambuwal noted that the nation was at a crossroads where citizens currently finds itself at a critical juncture that defines its future direction.
“The organisational structure of our nation and the fundamental framework of our governance have faced significant challenges in adequately reflecting the rich diversity of our people, honouring our collective aspirations, and delivering the lasting promises of peace, justice, and prosperity to every citizen.
“From the lofty hills of the Plateau region to the winding creeks of the Delta, from the fertile farms of Benue to the bustling streets of Kano and Lagos, the message is clear and consistent. Nigeria must function more effectively, efficiently and fairly for each and every one of its citizens,” He said
He added that the summit is committed to undertaking the vital task of diagnosing the constitutional challenges that Nigeria currently faces by listening attentively to the diverse voices of Nigerians, ensuring that not only the loudest or most powerful are heard.
“To those who doubted that this moment would come, or that such a coalition of serious minds could be summoned in these challenging times, we say Nigeria is not short of patriots, it is short of platforms,” he stated.
For his part, a former governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel emphasised the summit as a citizen-driven constitutional intervention stemming from years of relentless advocacy, extensive consultations, and growing sense of public urgency for change.
He said, “To the young people, your presence is compelling that the future the country rest in your hands. To the women, civil society groups, traditional leaders, and religious leaders, your view point, contributions and insights to move the country forward.”
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