Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has warned that Nigeria’s progress will remain hindered unless the 1999 Constitution is abolished.
Speaking at the launch of the book The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, Anyaoku argued that the 1999 Constitution is too unitary for a pluralistic nation like Nigeria.
He emphasized that countries which have managed diversity effectively do so through genuinely federal constitutions.
According to Anyaoku, “The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries, which have survived as single political entities in unity and progress, are those that address their pluralism, that is, their diversity, with genuine federal constitutions. Examples of such countries are India, Canada, and Switzerland.”
He contrasted this with countries like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Sudan, which ultimately split due to their failure to manage pluralism effectively.
Anyaoku underscored the need for Nigeria to return to a federal system akin to the 1960/63 Constitution, which he said was a product of negotiation and agreement by Nigeria’s founding fathers.
He stated, “The divisiveness, the underperforming economy with the resultant massive poverty, the insecurity, the humongous corruption and the other major challenges currently facing Nigeria… My warning, therefore, is that for the sake of preserving our country, the Federal Government and National Assembly should not delay any longer acting to what is a universal lesson. We must have a true Nigerian people’s democratic constitution.”
Anyaoku also dismissed the notion that Nigeria’s issues could be solved by any individual leader, saying, “With the 1999 Constitution, not even Angel Gabriel or Mala‘ika Jibril could tackle Nigeria’s challenges.”
He stressed that Nigeria was more united and stable under the 1960/63 Constitution, which remained in effect until the military coup in 1966 introduced a more centralized governance structure.
At the same event, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lamented Nigeria’s tendency to celebrate individuals who have not contributed meaningfully to nation-building. He argued that this misplaced recognition is damaging society, noting, “This [education] is what we want to celebrate. That is what is lacking in our society today… We are choosing the least among us to be our role models. And that is destroying our society.”
The book’s reviewer, former Ekiti State governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, provided insight into the book project, revealing it began in 2018 after Professor Osuntokun’s tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Ekiti State University Council. He explained that the biography was authorized in 2021, with Professor Osuntokun granting interviews and providing access to his archives.
The event saw the attendance of numerous prominent figures, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Wahab Alawiye-King; former Ekiti State governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Peter Obi; former President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesperson Reuben Abati; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; and Pastor Tunde Bakare.
Others present included Sam Omatseye of Nation Newspapers, former Minister of Health Prince Julius Adeluyi, Ovation Publisher Dele Momodu, Lagos Labour Party governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and Erelu Kuti of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu.
