An Igbo think-tank, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), on Sunday declared that the attempt by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution will not work citing various political interest.
The group stated that only regional autonomy and fiscal federalism that can resolve the current chaotic state of Nigeria, which it said will collapse Nigeria as a united country if urgent step was not taking.
National president of the group, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, stated this during a press briefing after their Enugu state executive meeting.
He explained that the nature of the Nigerian federation was the basis for the perennial terrorism, banditry and violence witnessed across the country and continue to exacerbates.
Awuzie, who identified restructuring as the solution to insecurity and economic crises bedeviling the nation, however, suggested that there should be a return to the 1963 regional constitution.
“The ADF believes that the chaotic nature of the Nigerian federation is the basis of the perennial terrorism, banditry and violence which have made life unbearable in Nigeria today,” he said. “To build an equitable federal structure based on social justice, we advocate the reconstitution/ renegotiation of the Nigerian Federation.”
He added, “This should be done through the making of a new people’s Constitution and not the amendment of the 1999 Constitution as embarked upon by the current and former National Assemblies from 1999 to date.
“We are convinced that only a return to Regional Autonomy and Fiscal Federalism can resolve the problems bedeviling the crisis-ridden Nigerian federation. There should be a return to the 1963 Regional Constitution which was agreed upon by Nigeria’s founding fathers.”
Describing the constant attempt by the national assembly to amend the 1999 constitution as a wast of the nation’s resources, Awuzie, unequivocally stated that the 1999 constitution cannot be amended.
According to him, amending the 1999 constitution will involve the state houses of assembly, which makes it impossible with various geopolitical interest.
Awuzie, therefore, advocated that there should be a return to what he described as people’s constitution, nothing that the 1999 constitution was imposed on the people by the military.
He maintained that the governors have much influence on the state houses of assembly and will therefore, not allow them to do what they (the governors) do not want.
