Elder statesmen and prominent Nigerians have renewed demands for a complete replacement of the 1999 Constitution, describing it as a product of military rule that no longer reflects the country’s democratic and pluralistic nature.
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Speaking at a national constitution summit in Abuja on Tuesday, figures like ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, former Akwa Ibom Governor Victor Attah, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe, said the current structure has hindered national development, encouraged waste, and failed to address growing insecurity, poverty, and public distrust.
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Anyaoku, chair of The Patriots group, said Nigeria needs a fresh, people-driven constitution crafted by elected representatives and endorsed through a referendum. He insisted only such a document can resolve Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges.
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Obasanjo acknowledged the constitution’s flaws but said bad leadership remains a bigger threat. He warned that no reform would succeed unless those who operate the constitution change their mindset.
Attah described the 1999 Constitution as a “military decree” that robbed Nigerians of their sovereignty, calling instead for a return to true federalism and a drastic cut in the cost of governance.
Other speakers, including Senator Gbenga Daniel and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, stressed the urgency of replacing the current system, warning that without reform, Nigeria risks fragmentation.
The summit aims to generate proposals for a new constitution, which will be presented to both the Presidency and the National Assembly.
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