LAGOS – More opinions appear to favour the recent call by The Patriots for a completely new constitution that will address the present challenges faced by Nigeria.
Findings during the week reveal that majority of Nigerian opinion leaders believe that recent constitution reviews have fallen short of the demand for serious structural changes which are considered the sine qua non for sustainable development.
Regardless, there is a significant section of Nigeria that, like former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, insists that what Nigeria needs is not a new constitution but a change in the character and attitude of those who operate the constitution.
Speaking to Sunday Independent, Bishop Herbert Ekechukwu, a cleric and economist, said: “The present quagmire we are in Nigeria today needs a restructured constitution and effective and efficient charismatic leadership
“A new constitution is needed to provide the architecture for good governance. A good car with a good driver will result in a great journey, but a bad car with a good driver or a bad driver with a good car will result in a bad journey.
“A new constitution should resolve the issue of power devolution, which is how to share power between federal, state and local governments with fiscal federalism.
“The critical issue in Nigeria has been resource control. In the new constitution, this should be clearly presented without equivocation.
“In the area of resource control, states or regions or federating units should have the lion share of 60% of resource revenue,10% to local government and 30% to Federal Government.
“Most of the items in the Exclusive List should be transferred to Concurrent and Residual Lists.
“The new constitution should handle electoral reforms. The electoral system at present is highly flawed.
“Election rigging and manipulation can be reduced by strong electoral laws
“The new constitution should also highlight the rights of every citizen. The protection of the rights of every citizen breeds nationalism and patriotism.
“When the rights of every citizen is guaranteed in a democracy, the citizenry will plead loyalty to the government
“On the other hand, charismatic leadership will guarantee novel, visionary policies, accountability and economic growth.”
Dr. Victor Mathew, a security expert and Executive Director, Kingdom Advocacy Network (KAN), stated: “I believe strongly that there is the need for a new constitution as well as a change in the attitudinal disposition of those who operate the constitution.
“For example, the law should be clear about electoral matters, cross carpeting. If a person wins an election under the platform of Party A and leaves that party to Party B, what happens to the mandate? There should be less ambiguities in our laws.
“I agree with Obasanjo that we do not really need a brand new constitution in the sense that the legislative arm should have the political will and temperament to carry out legislative amendments where necessary.
“If not, there should be machinery in motion for a new constitution.
“The Judiciary exists as an arm of government to judicially interpret the law and constitution where there is dispute. But, so far, lately, they have not lived up to expectations.
“If a brand new constitution cannot be put in place, bold amendments have to be made to our existing constitution.
“In conclusion, aligning with Obasanjo, even with a new constitution, if we don’t follow the letter and spirit of a new constitution, it will be useless.
“So, attitudinal change in disposition is a sine qua non.”
Julius Adegunna, a media executive, said: “We may not be able to fault the two sides, simply because the old constitution we adopted has not been working for us. It will not be out of place to try another.
“Experiences have shown that there are many areas of the current constitution that may require amendments, as we practice it in Nigeria.
“Secondly, the way we practice our federalism also puts a question mark on how it is practised in a sane crime. Nigeria needs a true federal arrangement.
”Therefore, it can be said that on one side, Nigerians need to take a check list of the practitioners and see how there can be modifications, which will give way to a new constitution.
“Truly, Nigerians need to be prepared for a faultless democracy.”
Hon. Charles Anike, National President, Eastern Union (EU): “Basically, both arguments are correct somehow, depending on the angle anyone would look at it.
“I believe that those who are anti-new constitution have better points because we have politicians with no ideology. The present constitution has foundational challenge, but our political class is the major problem.
“Bring American constitution to Nigeria. Nothing will change as long as these crops of shortsighted, lazy, greedy and visionless political actors are still on the saddle.
“On the other hand, the pro-new constitution group has its reason based on the origin and foundation of the 1999 constitution.
“The background of the constitution is undemocratic and to that extent cannot meet the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
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