Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has issued a stern warning that Nigeria’s persistent challenges cannot be resolved as long as the country continues to operate under the 1999 Constitution.
He argued that the constitution, which serves as Nigeria’s foundational legal framework, is ill-suited to address the nation’s deep-rooted divisions and numerous systemic issues.
Anyaoku’s comments were made at the launch of the book “The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun” at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos on Wednesday, where he served as the chairman for the occasion.
The elder statesman emphasised the need for a truly federal constitution that acknowledges and addresses Nigeria’s pluralistic nature.
Describing Nigeria as a “pluralistic country” with diverse peoples, cultures, languages, and religions, Anyaoku stressed that the country’s current constitutional framework is not equipped to handle such diversity.
He compared Nigeria to other countries with successful federal systems, such as India, Canada, and Switzerland, which have managed their pluralism through genuine federal constitutions.
“The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries which have survived as single political entities in unity and progress are those that addressed their pluralism with genuine federal constitutions,” Anyaoku said.
He further argued that the 1999 Constitution, which centralizes power, exacerbates Nigeria’s divisions and inhibits meaningful progress in tackling critical issues such as economic underperformance, insecurity, corruption, and political instability.
“To those who think that the trouble with Nigeria today is the political leadership, I would say that as long as we have the 1999 Constitution as our grundnorm, not even Angel Gabriel or Malaikah Jibrin as leaders can successfully tackle the divisiveness, the underperforming economy, poverty, insecurity, and the humongous corruption that we face today,” he declared.
Anyaoku’s call for a new constitution echoes the sentiment of several other prominent Nigerians who have criticised the centralizing nature of the 1999 Constitution, claiming it entrenches inequality and exacerbates tensions between the country’s ethnic groups.
In addition to his political commentary, Anyaoku took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, the subject of the biography being launched.
Anyaoku praised Osuntokun as an accomplished academic and a dedicated patriot, recalling how the professor had supported his own bid for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General during the 1990s.
“I first knew of Jide Osuntokun when he was Adviser to Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, General Ike Nwachukwu, and accompanied the Foreign Minister in his journeys to campaign for my candidacy for the office of Commonwealth Secretary-General,” Anyaoku said.
He described Osuntokun as someone who had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development, both as an academic and as a civic-minded individual, earning recognition as a role model for young Nigerians.
A Comprehensive Review by Fayemi
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti State and the book’s reviewer, provided an insightful look into Osuntokun’s life and work.
He outlined how the biography project began in 2018, when Osuntokun served as Pro-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, and how the professor had granted the authors extensive interviews to help document his academic and family history.
Fayemi noted that the book, written in nine chapters, offers a deep dive into Osuntokun’s genealogy, his family’s history, and his academic journey.
The biography also highlights his contributions to Nigerian society, including his efforts during the Kiriji war and his father’s pioneering role as an itinerant trader in the early 20th century.
At the event, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also paid tribute to Osuntokun, acknowledging the lessons he could learn from him.
Obi lamented that Nigeria often celebrates individuals who have made no significant contributions to the country, while failing to recognise true patriots like Osuntokun.
“When the National Universities Commission Secretary-General said they are looking for PhD people to teach in our universities, I called him and said, why do you want anybody to do PhD when you don’t pay them and you pay thugs 100 times what they are paid?” Obi remarked, criticising the culture of rewarding mediocrity in Nigeria.
Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, also shared his admiration for Osuntokun, describing him as an influential teacher who had played a critical role in his own academic journey.
Bakare was tasked with unveiling the biography, which he presented with a heartfelt tribute to Osuntokun’s enduring influence on his life.
The book launch attracted a host of dignitaries from various sectors, including government, academia, and the media.
Among those present were Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the Nigerian President, who was represented by Wahab Alawiye, Senior Special Adviser on Policy, Strategy and Logistics; Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso; TV anchor Reuben Abati; and Sam Omastseye, Chairman of the Editorial Board of *The Nation* newspaper.
The event underscored Osuntokun’s legacy as both an academic and a public servant who has influenced generations of Nigerians.
As Nigeria grapples with its deep-seated challenges, Anyaoku’s call for constitutional reform serves as a reminder that no single leader, no matter how capable, can address the country’s issues under the current system.
His remarks on the need for a true federal constitution resonate deeply with ongoing discussions about restructuring Nigeria’s political and governance framework.
With leaders like Anyaoku, Osuntokun, and others advocating for change, the conversation about Nigeria’s future is shifting. However, the question remains: will the country’s political elite heed these calls for reform, or will Nigeria continue to struggle under a constitutional system that may no longer serve its diverse and evolving needs?
