Constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has issued a stark warning that merely amending Nigeria’s current constitution will not resolve the country’s deeply entrenched political, economic, and security challenges.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, Ozekhome described the 1999 constitution as a “curse” to national development, arguing that it was neither crafted by the people nor designed to serve their best interests.
“What we need is a brand-new constitution that is people-driven. You can’t amend a bad document. A document that is already afflicted with an ailment cannot be amended,” the senior lawyer stated emphatically.
Using a vivid analogy, Ozekhome explained the futility of endless amendments to a flawed constitution. “If you have a problem in your house, the building is cracking, how do you solve it? Some people say, ‘Let’s amend the present constitution.’ Amendment, one million times, cannot solve the problem,” he said.
Ozekhome highlighted the constitution’s origins as a military handover in 1999, which he believes has contributed to the over-centralisation of power in Abuja.
This centralisation, he argued, has hindered the growth and autonomy of Nigeria’s regions, thereby exacerbating the country’s numerous crises.
He also criticised Nigeria’s adoption of the presidential system, modelled after that of the United States, describing it as overly costly, inefficient, and unsustainable in the Nigerian context. Instead, he called for a return to the parliamentary system that existed before 1966.
Under that system, regional governments had greater control over their resources and security, which Ozekhome believes is essential for Nigeria’s political stability and economic development.
“The solution lies in decentralising power and allowing regions to manage their affairs, rather than a costly and unwieldy presidential system that centralises authority and breeds inefficiency,” he added.
Ozekhome’s comments come amid increasing calls from various quarters for a comprehensive constitutional review or overhaul in Nigeria.
Many experts and activists argue that without a fresh, people-oriented constitution, the country will continue to struggle with governance issues, insecurity, and economic stagnation.
