Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, has called for a new constitution to rescue Nigeria from its political, economic, and security crises.
Chief Ozekhome on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, noted that repeated amendments to the 1999 Constitution would not address the country’s foundational issues.
Ozekhome also argued that the current constitution is a ‘curse’ to national development and that amendments alone cannot solve the problem.
He likens it to trying to patch cracks on a collapsing structure, saying, “Don’t invite someone to patch the cracks. You tear it down and build afresh.
“What we need is a brand-new constitution that is people-driven. You can’t amend a bad document. A document that is already afflicted with an ailment cannot be amended.
“If you have a problem in your house, the building is cracking, how do you solve it? Some people say, ‘Let’s amend the present constitution.’ Amendment, one million times, cannot solve the problem, ” he said.
The legal expert advocated for a people-driven constitution that devolved power to the regions, allowing them to control their resources and security.
He suggested a return to the parliamentary system practiced before 1966, which he believed was less expensive and more effective.
Ozehkome noted that regions would have more autonomy, enabling them to legislate independently, attract investments, build infrastructure, and operate local policing.
He added that a new constitution would address Nigeria’s real-time problems, such as poverty, food insecurity, and killings.
Ozekhome believed that national unity could still be maintained through equal representation in a parliamentary system.
He therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to take the lead in championing a new constitution, recalling the president’s past advocacy for constitutional reform.
He said that the move would be remembered as a significant achievement in Tinubu’s tenure.
