‘It’s Time To Enforce The Terms Of The Fundamental Objectives, Directive Principles Of State Policy’, Says Monday Ubani
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest Development and Litigation, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr Monday Ubani, has said that it’s time to enforce the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy in Nigeria.
According to Dr Ubani, the continuous non-enforceability of fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy in the constitutions in Nigeria render them more of decorative declarations, incapable of advancing the aims of good governance and sustainable development—a social contract between the government and the citizens..
Ubani said this in his welcome address at the Town Hall Meeting of NBA-SPIDEL held in Lagos on Monday.
Below is the full text of the address:
I observe all protocols!.
It is with excitement that I welcome everybody to this auspicious town hall meeting, first of its kind under my leadership as chairman of Section of Public Interest and Development Law(SPIDEL).
What is this all about on a Monday? First and foremost it was not easy to assemble these great Nigerians to talk about the very essence of government which is the provision of security and welfare for the people. The 1999 constitution under Chapter 2 with the heading “Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy” made elaborate provision for those things that make life worth living, education, health, employment, security and welfare of the citizens. These no doubt should be the focus and form the fulcrum for every government.
As Fundamental as these socio-economic rights as provided in the constitution appear on the face value, the same constitution divest the courts of its enforcement. Typical of every government in this part of the world, they shirk from their natural responsibilities, do we not generate light in homes with our generators? To get water, do we not dig boreholes in our homes? Do we not provide our security in homes and offices? For health, do we not go to native doctors for treatment? We thank God for herbs that abound here in large quantity. Do we not construct our roads and where it is impossible due to complexity, do we not buy SUVs to use having in mind our dilapidated roads? Tell me what we do not provide for ourselves here in Nigeria?
Why are the terms of our social contract not met as we have in other nations?
The essence of this gathering is to remind major stakeholders in Nigeria that time to enforce the terms of the fundamental objectives and Directive principles of state policy is now. Enough of rhetorics.and empty promises. As we approach 2023 general election, the agenda for governance must be set and met. Nothing is Fundamental about our human rights in Chapter 4 if the socio-economic rights Chapter 2 are not given any meaning. Your life and mine are empty if there are no medical facility to preserve it. Our existence is terribly threatened if that life can be cut short at any time by a bandit, armed robber, kidnapper or worse still a terrorist.
In these hall, are our judicial officers who owe the citizens the responsibility to interprete the constitution to manifest the intent and purpose for its existence. We have politicians, lawyers, civil society group, journalists and other major stakeholders in Project Nigeria that are here for same purpose.
For emphasis, they are here to redirect governance of the people in the right direction. Let every right that is a right be enforced, simple.
Once again I welcome everyone to this great event. Let the conversation begin.
Dr Monday O. Ubani
Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL
