Here we go again. Like a broken record, Nigeria has returned to its favourite pastime – constitutional tinkering. Every few years, we dust off this tired debate about whether we need a new constitution or should return to the parliamentary system.
It’s like watching a movie you’ve seen a hundred times, except this one never has a happy ending.
The latest round of constitutional evangelists is out in full force, preaching their gospel on television stations across the country. Some are waxing lyrical about the 1963 constitution as if it were the holy grail of governance. Others are convinced that a sovereign national conference will magically transform Nigeria into Singapore overnight. Then some believe state police is the silver bullet that will end our security nightmares.
My thoughts on this constitutional circus? We are simply chasing shadows while the real monster lurks in plain sight.
The truth is, constitutional debates in Nigeria have become the political equivalent of moving deck chairs on the Titanic. We keep rearranging the furniture while the ship continues to sink. For over two decades, we’ve been having this same conversation, convening committees, organising conferences, and producing reports that end up gathering dust in some government office. I won’t be surprised if some of these constitutional documents are being used to wrap akara at roadside stalls by now.
Come to think of it, if the 1963 constitution was so perfect, why did the military boys send it packing in 1966? The coup plotters cited the same corruption and mismanagement we’re complaining about today. Even under that supposedly superior parliamentary system, our politicians were busy rigging elections, engaging in census controversies, and playing the same ethnic and religious cards that continue to plague us today.
The presidential system we’re quick to condemn is the same one that has worked wonders for the United States for over 200 years. Americans don’t spend their time debating whether to return to the Articles of Confederation or adopt a new constitution every few years. They focus on electing quality leaders who can work within their system to deliver good governance.
But trust our politicians to major in the minor. Instead of focusing on how to produce better leaders, we’re busy debating which constitutional framework will somehow transform the same crop of politicians into angels. It’s like expecting a new uniform to turn a bad footballer into Lionel Messi.
The parliamentary system advocates forget that we tried it before and it failed woefully. The regional government enthusiasts conveniently ignore the fact that over 20 new states are currently being requested at the National Assembly. How exactly do you reconcile calls for regional government with demands for more states? It’s like asking for a bigger cake while simultaneously demanding more slices.
Those calling for a return to regional government are living in a 1960s time warp. Today’s Nigeria is not the Nigeria of Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, and Nnamdi Azikiwe. We now have 774 local government areas, 36 states, and the FCT. The ethnic and linguistic diversity has become even more pronounced. The Northeast alone has over 200 languages, while the Northwest and North Central boast of over 60 languages each.
Regional government might work in the Southeast and Southwest where there’s relative ethnic homogeneity, but what happens in other regions? The dominant tribes will still marginalise the smaller ones, just as they do now. The Idomas in Benue will still cry marginalisation by the Tivs, the minorities in Rivers will still feel dominated by the Ijaws, and the cycle continues.
The real elephant in the room that nobody wants to address is leadership. We have a leadership problem at all levels – from the ward councilor to the president. One man cannot change Nigeria, whether he’s operating under a presidential or parliamentary system. We need quality leaders at the local government level, competent governors, principled legislators, and visionary federal leadership.
Our problem is not constitutional; it’s character. We need leaders who will govern based on fairness, equity, and justice, not those who see public office as an opportunity to settle personal scores or enrich themselves and their cronies. We need leaders who understand that governance is about service, not self-service.
Instead of wasting time and resources on another constitutional jamboree, we should focus on building strong institutions that can withstand the whims and caprices of whoever is in power. We need an independent judiciary that can dispense justice without fear or favor, an electoral system that truly reflects the will of the people, and anti-corruption agencies that are not selective in their fight against graft.
The Americans didn’t become a superpower because of their constitution alone; they became great because they consistently elected leaders who understood their responsibilities and built institutions that could survive changes in government. Their constitution has been amended only 27 times in over 230 years, while we’ve been amending ours or calling for new ones every few years.
The bitter truth is that no constitution, whether presidential or parliamentary, can cure the cancer of poor leadership. You can have the most beautiful constitutional document in the world, but if you have leaders who lack vision, integrity, and competence, your system will fail.
As we approach another election cycle, instead of getting distracted by constitutional debates, we should focus on electing leaders who can work within our current system to deliver good governance. The 1999 Constitution, with all its imperfections, provides enough framework for good governance if we have the right people operating it.
Until we begin to elect leaders with the fear of God and genuine love for Nigeria, constitutional conferences will remain an exercise in futility. We will continue to go round in circles, holding the same debates, reaching the same conclusions, and expecting different results.
The choice is ours: we can continue this constitutional merry-go-round or focus on the real issue – electing better leaders. The constitution is not our problem; we are our problem.
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