Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has called for the urgent replacement of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, saying it does not reflect the will of the Nigerian people and is unfit to address the country’s many challenges.
Speaking at a national summit in Abuja on Wednesday, organised by The Patriots and the Nigerian Political Summit Group, Anyaoku described the current constitution as a military creation that fails to reflect Nigeria’s plural nature.
“Nigeria is a pluralistic country,” Anyaoku said. “And like all successful plural societies, our constitution must be shaped by elected representatives of our diverse people, not by a military decree.”
He argued that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) was never democratically created and has led to a governance structure that wastes public resources on running government rather than investing in national development.
The elder statesman said a new “people’s democratic constitution” is needed to restore confidence, especially among the youth, and tackle rising insecurity, poverty, and weak infrastructure.
He also pointed out that the current 36-state structure is not working effectively and cannot sustain the kind of progress Nigeria made shortly after independence.
Anyaoku listed key areas that need urgent constitutional review, including the powers of federal and state governments, structure of security agencies, party system, and how national resources are managed.
To ensure legitimacy, he proposed that any new constitution should be drafted by specially elected representatives and approved by the Nigerian people through a national referendum.
Anyaoku’s call adds to growing voices demanding constitutional reform in Nigeria, as many believe the current system is outdated and no longer supports national unity or development.