By TINA TIMOTHY

Former Secretary-General, Common Wealth of Nations and Chairman of the Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has said that the 1999 constitution as amended lacks legitimacy and is unsuitable for a pluralistic country like Nigeria, that is still struggling to become a nation.

Chief Anyaoku disclosed this while delivering his welcome address at the Colloquium organised by The Patriots in honour of Late Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos on Monday, March 18, 2024.

He said that the current constitution lacks legitimacy because it was imposed on the nation as the procedure for bringing it into being did not have the input of the citizens.

He said: “I would like to make brief observations of what I consider incontrovertible facts that should form the background of our discussions here today.

“First, Nigeria is a pluralistic country that is still struggling to become a nation, a nation with assured political stability and progressive socio-economic development. The fact from across the world is that some pluralistic countries have succeeded in becoming nations, while other pluralistic countries have failed and disintegrated.

“And the lesson from this is that pluralistic countries, which have succeeded in becoming nations, have generally practiced true federalism, with considerable powers devolved to the federating units.

“This fact, I must say, was recognized by the founding fathers of Nigeria who negotiated painstakingly and agreed to the independence constitution of 1960 extended to 1963.

“The second incontrovertible fact that I would like to state is that our present 1999 constitution as amended not only lacks the legitimacy that flows from a democratically made constitution, but also has proved to be unsuitable for tackling many of the serious challenges currently confronting our country.”

To halt the raging insecurity and socio-economic crises, and redirect Nigeria on the path of growth and development, the elder statesman said there is an urgent need to do away with the 1999 constitution and give Nigeria a new people’s constitution. He therefore urged the nation to go back to the 2014 Confab Report or constitute a Constituent Assembly on a non-party basis.

Continuing, Anyaoku said: “And thirdly, it is a widely recognized fact that the crucial areas of the country have significantly deteriorated and are continuing to deteriorate.

“To mention just a few of such areas, security of the citizens’ life and property, economic well-being of the citizens, infrastructure, including roads and education and health facilities, social cohesion and social values, and the sense of national unity. These are areas where significant deterioration has occurred over the years.

“I’d like to conclude my brief remarks by saying that there has been no shortage of opinions and prescriptions of the nature and content of what should be a suitable constitution for a pluralistic country.

“Many commentators have expressed the view that the 1963 constitution, as well as the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, provide an inescapable guide in this respect.

“I hope, therefore, that this colloquium will, while reaffirming the essential ingredients of the desired Nigerian people’s constitution, will focus on the process of producing such a constitution.

“I believe that in this respect we have only two options. Either we accept the 2014 National Conference as an acceptable platform, or we go for a relatively inexpensive, directly elected Constituent Assembly on a non-party basis for producing such a widely desired constitution.”

Anyaoku, in his closing remarks said The Patriots would take the message of Nigeria needing a people’s constitution to President Tinubu and other stakeholders, adding that a positive result would be achieved because “we have a listening president whose democratic credentials and potential are clear to many.”

Some elder statesmen, serving lawmakers, political leaders, lawyers, and eminent Nigerians who spoke at the event include: Former Minister of Finance and Chairman,Organizing Committee of the event, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu who gave the welcome address; Chairman of The Patriots and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Legal Icon, Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN who delivered the keynote address; Dr. Tunji Abayomi; former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah; Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former speaker and former governor of Sokoto State,

Sen. Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amechi; Elder Solomon Asemota SAN; Former Chairman Governors' Forum and former Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi; former Ogun state governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; former Osun state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Cross River state governor, Donald Duke; former Ogun state governor and serving Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori; Chief Olabode George; Leader of Afenifere, Chief Pa Ayo Adebanjo; President, Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima; Prof. Anya O. Anya; former Imo state governor and founding member of the Patriot, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and Chief Ifeyinwa Ezenwa, a 2014 confab delegate.

Children and wife of the late great icon, Adaeze, Nene who gave the vote of thanks, and Mrs Nwabueze were also present.

Others present were: Lady Abimbola Sanu, SSG Lagos State and a representative of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi while Dr, Oby Ezekwesili, Pat Utomi, Hajia Bilikisu Magoro and others joined the event via zoom.