Another View on The Southerner Newspaper
Saturday, July 19, 2025
When the news of yet another Constitutional Conference organized by The Patriots and other groups to discuss and review the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, suggest ways out of the political logjam Nigeria has found herself in the last 65 years went round, it was described by some as another mere talkshop or jamboree.
The conference was scheduled to last for three days (July 15 – 17, 2025) in Abuja, the political capital of Nigeria. It was expected to bring together professional bodies, women and youth groups, labour and civil society leaders, the education sector, students, traditional and religious leaders, etc.
Looking at the names of the leading movers, organizers and lead contributors to the conference, such gathering cannot be pushed aside.
Leading the pack of these patriotic Nigerians in organizing this epoch event is Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary General.
No doubt, Chief Anyaoku is one of the most highly respected Nigerians living today. A seasoned diplomat, patriotic and committed promoter of a united and peaceful country.
For years, this gentleman had canvassed for a country that accommodates and works for all. His old age has not been a barrier to him in moving round Nigeria and holding talks on how this country could be great in diversity.
He keeps striving to bequeath a peaceful and progressive Nigeria for the unborn generation. Although this event is not the first in the history of our country, it has always come and gone since the almagamation of Nigeria in 1914.
The Patriots summit is geared towards correcting some flaws, imbalances in the 1999 constitution. The confab was intended to bring into our revered law book what will help our unity and remove every real or perceived marginalisation, denial or oppressive tendencies.
Nigeria is a country with different languages, cultures, ethnic and religious groups. Nigeria is a country with very chequered political history. This is a country that went into a civil war with a component part for about three years. When the war was over, it was declared, ‘no victor, no vanguished.’ But how real?
Some parts of the country are still not very comfortable remaining in Nigeria because of the various issues that are clearly not to their advantage. These issues need to be addressed once and for all.
The British, Nigeria’s colonial masters hurriedly and without due consultation with the parts making up Nigeria went on to build the country principally for their own selfish interests.
Perhaps, if every group was assembled for discussions, some or many of the issues troubling the country today would have been sorted out first.
It is also very possible they would have outrightly rejected living under the same roof. Since their politics, language, culture, tradition and religions are not similar. The only option for staying together was thorough discussions.
Talking and agreeing on how we can keep living together matters a great deal. There is no doubt, the country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if we ignore resolving some of the knotty issues affecting the people.
There is tension everywhere and, something urgent needs to be done. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war.
The people need to rise and tackle the root cause of the problems. We either approach it with every seriousness it requires or be damned.
For instance, the insecurity in all parts of the country today, is not something the Federal Government or the military alone can conveniently handle. It is based on this that, many have called for the establishment of State or Regional Police. The creation of State or Regional Police if well posited will help check the growing criminality and banditry in our country.
Nigeria today needs to be restructured and in every sense truly democratized. It is the only path to an assured unity, peace and development.
If Nigeria remains the way it is presently structured, then obviously, Chinua Achebe’s There Was A Country may become a reality. It is only a matter of time.
It is time we fully encourage power rotation and devolution of powers as many have postulated. Nigeria is not too big to work. It is the handllers of governance that have frustrated her progressive movement.
It is time to do away with this bicameral legislature and introduce a part time NASS. As presently constituted the National Assembly is too large and expensive considering the present economic realities.
Africa is waiting for Nigeria to stand up and lead. That Nigeria will be saved from catastrophe and doom depends on what the elders and leaders of this generation do today.
The signs of a violent disintegration abound. Yet, it can be avoided. It can be avoided when the present leadership in government and elders of the country take the bold step to promote fairness, equity and justice.
