Obasanjo Blames Nigeria’s Leaders Not Constitution for National Failures

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria’s problems stem more from poor leadership than flaws in its constitution.

He made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a national summit on constitutional reforms organised by The Patriots, a group of prominent Nigerian statesmen.

Obasanjo, whose speech was read by the group’s Secretary General, Hon. Olawale Okunniyi, argued that no matter how well-written a constitution may be, it will fail if the people implementing it are driven by selfishness, corruption, and impunity. He pointed out that Nigeria’s constitution, like others around the world, has its strengths and weaknesses, but insisted the real issue is the character and mindset of those in power.

The former leader said unless there is a change in how the country is run, Nigerians will continue to suffer, regardless of constitutional amendments. He warned that operators of the system over the past 15 years have prioritised personal gain over the nation’s welfare.

Also speaking at the event, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah, described the 1999 Constitution as a military document that lacks legitimacy. He argued that it was imposed on the people and does not reflect their will. According to him, the last valid constitution that represented a collective national agreement was the 1963 version, which was suspended but never formally repealed.

Attah criticised the current political structure, which he described as a centralised, unitary system disguised as a federation. He said the lack of true federalism, combined with electoral manipulation and elite control, has led to voter apathy and a breakdown of trust in democratic institutions.

He urged that Nigeria must return sovereignty to the people through a new, truly federal constitution that supports unity, peace, and progress. He warned that unless bold steps are taken to reform the system, the country risks sliding into deeper division.

The summit also saw inputs from other notable figures, including Labour Party leader Peter Obi, who stressed the importance of a constitution that guarantees fairness, prioritises citizens’ wellbeing, and tackles critical challenges like hunger, disease, poverty, and poor education.

Participants agreed that while the constitution needs changes, those changes will only matter if leaders govern with honesty and a genuine commitment to serve. They called for a clear roadmap to reform and warned that the opportunity to fix the system must not be missed.