Human Rights Lawyer,Tunji Abayomi, Says Nigeria Is Ripe For New Constitution, Not Amendment

By Ayodele Oni

Divergent views and opinions are being canvassed for the Constitution, as Nigeria inches towards another election year, during which President, some Governors and National Assembly members will be elected.

Legal luminaries, Politicians and Academics have proposed different types of Constitution that will usher in new Presidential system of Government in Nigeria, come 2023.

A Human Rights Activist, Dr Tunji Abayomi has lent his voice by saying that there is the need for a brand new constitution for the country.

Abayomi, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council,  Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, in Ondo state, expressed concern over the 1999 Constitution, saying a new Constitution for the country has become inevitable for progress.

In an open letter to  Political  Leaders, titled: “What we need, What needs to be done” Abayomi pointed out that what Nigeria needs now is a new constitution that would guarantee good governance for the greater interest of all and not any form of review or amendment of 1999 Constitution.

He pointed out that notwithstanding the stress and concerns of the present, we will be happier, if Nigeria becomes a better nation, with regards to the wealth, the well-being of the people, position in the world, banner of unity, cohesion, liberty and Health.

According to him, the 1999 Constitution came by dictatorship and force, and can never guarantee peace, order or good government.

“Consequently the time is now, not tomorrow to take a new redeeming look at our nation’s most important government document that is the Constitution.

“The National Assembly should be sincere with Nigeria by forgetting its worthless amendments for a while and make a new Constitution for the people.

“The duty of the National Assembly would be enough if it helps Nigeria to have a People’s Constitution, instead of wasting resources to correct a gravely incorrectable error inherent in the making of a Constitution by the military government.

“In the last few years, much efforts and national wealth have been committed to what the National Assembly calls ‘Constitutional Amendment,’ we know of course that illegitimate is neither amenable nor amendable. A Construction is legitimized not by its content but by the procedure of making a Constitution.

“How do you amend a military Constitution to originate it in the people, the proper and legitimate makes of the Constitution?

“So contrary to the norms in democracy, it was not a Constitution that gave us our democracy at least in 1999.

“It was a Military Government of Dictators that wrongly gave us a Constitution and a government.

“Time has indeed come to correct this grievous error and the only body that can legitimately remedy the error of Constitutional wrong-making is the National Assembly.

“To unlock the great potentials of the Nigeria what is now needed is for the National Assembly as a Public duty to learn the lessons of change that the political leaders of other nations have learnt by bringing about a law to enable the people of Nigeria to truly give to themselves a Constitution.

“In short what Nigeria needs is a Constitution of the people, by the people and for the people. It is certainly reasonable and sensible that we should have a consensus on how to manage Nigeria our collective.”