Senior constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has said that amending the 1999 Constitution will not fix Nigeria’s deep-rooted problems. He insists that only a fresh, people-oriented constitution can provide lasting solutions to the country’s political and economic challenges.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Ozekhome described the current constitution as a “curse” handed down by the military and unsuitable for a democratic society.
“What we need is a brand-new constitution that is people-driven. You can’t amend a bad document. If a building is cracking, you don’t repaint it — you rebuild it,” he said.
Ozekhome criticized the over-centralisation of power in Abuja, which he said hinders regional growth and development. He argued that the presidential system Nigeria currently operates is expensive and unsustainable, urging a return to the parliamentary model practiced before 1966.
According to him, the 1999 Constitution lacks legitimacy because it was not created through a popular process. He called for a new constitution that would allow regions to control their resources and security.
Ozekhome’s comments come as the National Assembly continues to push for further constitutional amendments, which many experts say may not go far enough to address Nigeria’s structural problems.