No New Constitution, No Progress For Nigeria, Ozekhome Insists
Mike Ozekhome has insisted that Nigeria will not progress as a nation without a new constitution that adequately reflects Nigerians’ aspirations and realities.
The lawyer made the assertion on Thursday at the ‘Ladi Adebutu Good Governance Symposium’ in Abeokuta.
He submitted that Nigeria operated under a “suffocative system” due to the 1999 Constitution, which he branded a “false document from the pit of hell.”
Mr Ozekhome declared that Nigeria, as a nation, could be divided if those in authority did nothing to change the current things.
“I agree that Nigeria should stay together as one country, but, please, if we must be together as one country, we must re-negotiate the terms. It must be under agreed terms. That is where a constituent of people’s assembly comes up.
“The National Assembly members are afraid; they want to amend. Can you amend a bad document? Even if you give it one million amendments, it cannot solve our problems,” he argued.
Continuing, he stated, “Rather, let them (National Assembly) use section 4 of the constitution, which says, ‘The National Assembly shall have powers to make laws for the peace, order and good government in Nigeria and any part thereof.’ Do you have peace, order, and good government in Nigeria today?
“So, they can therefore make a law using section 4, promulgating constituents of the people. That same law provides a referendum. The National Assembly is saying it cannot give a new constitution. It can facilitate and midwife under section 4.
“The process that gives people a new constitution is subject to a referendum. That’s my position, and that is what will make Nigeria work.”
