Anyaoku demands new constitution to address corruption, insecurity

The senior statesman emphasised that a new constitution is necessary for Nigeria in order to stop the continued deterioration of the situation there.

Emeka Anyaoku, a former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, has advocated for a new constitution because he is concerned about the state of the Nigerian nation.

He made the decision on Friday in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, while giving the Afe Babalola University’s 2023 Convocation Lecture.

Speaking on the subject of “Management of Diversity: A Major Challenge to Governance in Pluralistic Countries,” Anyaoku noted that Nigeria successfully managed diversity in the early years of independence.

The senior statesman emphasised that a new constitution is necessary for Nigeria in order to stop the continued deterioration of the situation there.

Unquestionably, the early years of Nigeria’s independence were better at managing the country’s diversity. During that time, everyone in Nigeria saw the country’s variety as a source of strength and an inspiration for fostering national cohesion, he said.

“I urge the Presidency to realise the urgent need for the people of Nigeria to create a new Constitution in conjunction with the National Assembly rather than continuing to make changes to the 1999 Constitution. In order to achieve this, I kindly request that the Federal Government take the following action right away.

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First, hold a meeting of the National Constituent Assembly, which consists of lawmakers who were directly elected on a non-party basis and whose job it is to consider and adopt a new constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Prior to the military involvement, he stated, there was greater protection for people and property, and regional economies developed at a faster rate. He also added that healthy regional competition aided in the country’s rapid development.

Afe Babalola, the founder of ABUAD, praised Anyaoku for sharing his ideas on the need to change the nation through a new constitution in his remarks. He claimed that because of the provisions in the 1999 Constitution, politicians now view politics as a business venture, necessitating the urgent need for a new constitution.

He stated that he has been pushing for a change to the Nigerian Constitution for thirty years, adding that if the Federal Government and the National Assembly don’t write a new Constitution, managing diversity in a pluralistic nation like Nigeria can be challenging.