Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria’s constitutional problem lies not in the document itself but in those who operate it and what the country truly needs are leaders who will follow the constitution honestly rather than engaging in constant changes to its content
Obasanjo’s remarks were delivered at the opening of a three-day National Summit on the Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy, held in Abuja.
The summit was organised by The Patriots in collaboration with the Nigeria Political Summit Group. His speech was read by the Secretary-General of the Eminent Patriots, Mr. Olawale Okunniyi.
“No constitution is perfect,” Obasanjo said. “From my experience in operating our constitution, I will be the first to point out some areas that need amendment. However, whatever the strength or weakness of a constitution, the most important issue is the operators of the constitution.”
He warned that even well-written constitutions can be abused by those in power. “The best constitution can be perverted and distorted by the operators, and we have experienced that all over Africa — Nigeria is not exempted,” he said. “The welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of selfishness, self-centeredness, corruption, impunity and total disregard of the constitution.”
Obasanjo said attention should be on those in charge. “At this crucial time, the operators matter more and the searchlight must be on them,” he stated.
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Victor Attah, also spoke. His remarks were delivered by Okunniyi. He said the 1999 Constitution was not created by the people but by the military.
“Sovereignty must return to the people. We must get rid of this unitary system and reinstate the federal system of governance that our founding fathers had agreed to,” Attah said.
He added that ministers should only be picked from among elected officials and urged for a cut in the cost of politics. He also warned about the state of the country.
“Nigeria’s unity will only be preserved through fairness and justice — not force or fear. If we miss this opportunity, the next chapter may be one of irreversible fragmentation,” he said.
Senator Gbenga Daniel, co-chair of the summit’s organising committee, said the event was organised to address public dissatisfaction with the 1999 Constitution.
“We are here because the existing structure has consistently proven inadequate in addressing the core issues of governance, equity, inclusion and national cohesion,” Daniel said.
He listed local government reform, resource control, electoral and judicial reforms, security, and citizenship rights as some of the summit’s key themes. Daniel called on civil society groups, youths, women and traditional leaders to engage. “This summit is multi-generational, inclusive and a genuine attempt to build the Nigeria we all desire,” he said.
