Ohanaeze, MBF assist proposal, Afenifere deliberates
By Clement A. Oloyede, Saawua Terzungwe (Abuja), Abdullateef Aliyu (Lagos), and Nabob Ogbonna (Abakaliki)
Various reactions have emerged following a proposal by The Patriots, a gaggle led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provoke the method of drafting a brand new structure via a nationwide constituent meeting.
The group, which met with President Tinubu final week, advocated for an govt invoice to be despatched to the Nationwide Meeting to start this course of. Nevertheless, the president, whereas acknowledging their suggestions, informed them that retooling the economic system for sustainable progress and growth is the most important precedence of his administration.
In his response on Monday, elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who can be a member of The Patriots, urged the president to proceed cautiously.
Yakasai, in a press release, emphasised the significance of broad consultations and cautious consideration, warning that neglecting these steps might result in nationwide chaos and instability.
He expressed concern that “due course of was not adopted in articulating the views offered to the president,” stressing {that a} matter of such nationwide significance calls for inclusive deliberation and consensus amongst all founding members.
Yakasai argued that excluding key voices undermines the credibility and unity of the mission, insisting that selections of this magnitude should be rooted in collective knowledge fairly than rushed actions.
He additional aligned with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s view that Nigeria’s core problem is just not the structure itself however the character and angle of those that function it. He asserted that and not using a change within the mindset and conduct of the nation’s leaders, even probably the most well-crafted structure would fail to carry concerning the desired progress and stability.
He suggested that efforts must be directed in the direction of selling moral management, accountability, and civic duty amongst these in governance. In keeping with him, solely by addressing these basic points can Nigeria hope to create a society that actually displays the aspirations of its folks.
Famend constitutional lawyer, Professor Auwalu Yadudu additionally expressed reservations concerning the name for a brand new structure. He cautioned that any remodeling of the elemental doc and restructuring of the polity should conform to constitutional processes to be legit. He warned that deviating from this path might result in chaos and dysfunction.
Yadudu, in a chat with Every day Belief, elaborated that Nigeria’s downside is just not concerning the nature of its structure however the operators who implement it. He argued that for any adjustments to be legit, they should be made throughout the current authorized and constitutional framework. Every other strategy, he urged, could be suspect and opposite to the grundnorm, making it illegitimate.
He additionally questioned the authorized and democratic legitimacy of The Patriots, asking the place they derive the authority to dictate to the broader inhabitants on constitutional adjustments. Yadudu underscored that nation-building is an ongoing course of and that whereas restructuring and amending the structure are crucial, they should be carried out via correct channels.
One other elder statesman from the North, who most well-liked to stay nameless, alleged that the chief of The Patriots is likely to be attempting to realize Biafra via the again door. He questioned the rationale behind calling for a referendum in a rustic with a inhabitants of over 200 million, accusing the group of looking for to incite a disaster and make the most of the present {economic} scenario.
He described the proposal for a brand new structure as disruptive, including that it’s an try and exacerbate current tensions.
He argued that The Patriots are looking for nationwide management and not using a mandate from the Nigerian folks and challenged them to pursue their objectives via political events as elected leaders.
Ohanaeze opposes recent nationwide convention, insists on new structure
In the meantime, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organisation representing Igbo communities, rejected the decision for a Nationwide Constituent Meeting to handle points throughout the 1999 Structure. As an alternative, they supported requires a brand new structure and the implementation of the 2014 Nationwide Convention suggestions and the 2005 Nationwide Political Convention, which advocated for extra states within the Southeast area.
In a press release signed by its Secretary Basic, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and made out there to Every day Belief yesterday, Ohanaeze argued that the present structure is insufficient for addressing the calls for of Nigeria’s numerous society. They urged President Tinubu to prioritise the implementation of the 2014 Nationwide Convention suggestions, which they consider will foster unity and progress.
Isiguzoro emphasised that convening one other nationwide convention could be ill-timed and insensitive given the nation’s {economic} challenges. He referred to as for a brand new structure that addresses the issues of the present military-imposed 1999 Structure, which he mentioned lacks the readability and power to satisfy the wants of Nigeria’s pluralistic society.
Center Belt Discussion board helps new structure
Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Center Belt Discussion board (MBF), expressed assist for the demand by The Patriots for a very people-driven structure. He urged President Tinubu to muster the political will to ship a brand new structure for Nigeria, arguing that the present system has created quite a few issues, notably because of the centralisation of energy.
Pogu recalled the performance of Nigeria’s regional system up to now, the place native authorities and regional governance buildings labored successfully. He advocated for a return to a structure much like the 1963 model however with changes to handle the present realities and anomalies.
He insisted {that a} new structure, doubtlessly derived from the 2014 Confab report, would higher place Nigeria to handle its challenges and permit every area to develop at its personal tempo. Pogu additionally urged that the president might facilitate this course of by calling for a referendum.
Afenifere deliberates
In the meantime, Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation loyal to its appearing chief, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, was in a gathering to deliberate on the proposal by The Patriots on the time of submitting this report.
The group’s spokesman, Prince Justice Faloye, promised to supply a proper place after their discussions.
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