1999 Constitution Is Irredeemable – Agbakoba

A erstwhile President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has said the 1999 Constitution is irredeemable.

He besides cautioned that the 2027 predetermination volition beryllium Nigeria’s past peaceful accidental for alteration and to prevention the state from instability.

Agbakoba warned that the existent unitary-federal operation is unsustainable and that unless Nigeria devolves powerfulness to the states and regions, nary reform—no substance however well-intended—can succeed.
The elder lawyer, who made the assertions, spoke to journalists successful Lagos, insisting that a caller constitution, driven by the people, is indispensable for a unchangeable and equitable nation.
He said, “True nation-building cannot beryllium achieved without decentralisation, equity, and a people-driven constitution. If we get 2027 wrong, the consequences volition beryllium far-reaching and unpredictable. But if we get it right, we tin laic the instauration for a caller Nigeria.”

Agbakoba warned that the state is trapped successful a “fatal illusion of federalism” and urgently needs a caller constitution based connected existent federalism, important devolution of powers, and fiscal autonomy for states.

The quality rights lawyer further claimed that the state cannot physique a prosperous Nigeria connected a shaky instauration and that twenty-five years of law amendments person been unsuccessful.

He claimed that the 1999 Constitution has “failed and is irredeemable,” emphasising that lone a new, people-driven constitution that reflects the country’s diverseness tin forestall Nigeria from falling deeper into instability.

Agbakoba maintained that devolution, alternatively than superficial amendments, is important for economical transformation, noting that Nigeria could unlock implicit N500 trillion successful economical worth done existent federalism.

“We tin nary longer unreal that the 1999 Constitution tin present progress. It was designed for a bid structure, not for a federation. It is clip to follow a wholly caller ineligible framework,” helium stated.

The lawyer explained that repeated law amendments person failed to code cardinal governance problems, including over-centralisation of power, anemic federating units, and deficiency of accountability.

“Tinkering astatine the edges of a flawed strategy volition not bring astir the translation the state urgently needs,” helium added.

He stressed that Nigeria’s endurance depends connected the genuine devolution of powers to its federating units. “The national authorities has go excessively almighty and unresponsive. It indispensable shed immoderate authorization and let states to instrumentality work for their ain development. This is the lone mode to marque Nigeria work,” helium said, advocating for the constitution of authorities constabulary arsenic a captious measurement towards improving interior security.

“It is absurd that governors are called main information officers but cannot power the police. States indispensable person their ain police, negociate their resources, and make powerfulness without unnecessary national bottlenecks,” helium argued.

Agbakoba besides outlined an economical restructuring plan, allowing states and regions to thrust improvement from the crushed up. He pointed retired that the existent dependence connected national allocations has fostered a civilization of dependency and mediocre governance astatine the authorities level. “When states power their resources and person wide responsibilities for development, they volition innovate, compete, and supply amended services,” helium explained.

He noted that the centralised operation has stifled inaugural and resulted successful a bloated national authorities incapable of efficiently delivering basal services. He advocated for a leaner national government, constricted to halfway nationalist functions specified arsenic defence, overseas affairs, monetary policy, and immigration, portion states negociate astir different responsibilities.

Warning against delays, Agbakoba stated that failing to enactment present would person terrible consequences.

“2027 offers america 1 past peaceful accidental to hole Nigeria. If we miss it, the alternate could beryllium chaos. We request a caller nationalist statement that reflects the volition of the people,” helium said.

He stressed that reforms indispensable beryllium broad and not selective, identifying six cardinal areas: federalism and devolution of powers, authorities policing, assets power and fiscal autonomy, law reform, judicial independence, and governmental accountability.

“We indispensable marque 2027 a turning point. This is not astir cosmetic amendments; it is astir rewriting the rules of engagement for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria,” helium added.

He urged governmental leaders, civilian society, nonrecreational associations, and citizens to unite astir a shared imaginativeness for change, alternatively than allowing politicians to dictate the betterment docket for constrictive interests. “Nigeria belongs to the people, not politi...