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1999 Constitution Illegitimate, Can’t Save Nigeria – Ozekhome

Published

11 months ago

July 14, 2025

Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has renewed calls for the complete replacement of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, describing it as an “illegitimate document” incapable of addressing the country’s challenges.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Monday, Ozekhome dismissed ongoing constitutional amendment efforts as futile, insisting that no amount of tweaking can fix what he called a fundamentally flawed foundation.

“The issue is not about amending the constitution. I have said again and again that you cannot amend a bad document.

“A bad, illegitimate document that never proceeded from the people through a popular plebiscite or referendum can never be the product of the people. I have said it again and again, that even one million amendments to the present constitution cannot solve it.”

According to him, the current constitution lacks legitimacy and moral authority because it was imposed by the military without the consent of the Nigerian people.

“We are still talking about constitutional amendment when we should be talking about introducing a brand new constitution that reflects our diversity as a nation, reflects our multi-religious linguistic inclination,” he added.

Ozekhome argued that the country needs a complete constitutional reset to cleanse itself of its structural ailments.

“What we need is a total beginning, a fresh beginning, like from a tabula rasa, like Naaman the leper who dipped himself in the River Jordan seven times and became cleansed of his leprosy. That is what we need,” he added.

Ozekhome also took aim at the origin of the current constitution, which he said was enacted under Decree No. 24 of 1999 by the military regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

He said the document’s preamble, which begins with “We the people,” is deceptive and undermines the document’s credibility.

“The present constitution, apart from its original sin, like that of Adam, of being a product of a military dictator, through the promulgation of the decree number 24 of 1999 told a lie about itself in its preamble by saying ‘we the people’ of Nigeria do hereby make and give to ourselves the following constitution,” he said.

Ozekhome also criticised the constitution’s structure, which he said masquerades as federalism while actually concentrating power at the centre. He said the system strips Nigerians of their rights and fuels economic inefficiency.

“It cannot take us forward because one, it operates a unitary system of government, all the provisions, not a federal system of government. Two, it dispossesses the people of their economic, social, political, and cultural rights.

“Three, it is too heavy, on the side of wastages and leakages, which makes Nigeria today use about 70% to 80% of our national resources, to service recurrent expenditure and public debts, thus leaving only 20% to 30% for capital expenditure,” he explained.

“No nation can grow like that. We are not going to grow like that. So when we are talking about a constitution like this being amended, you are really pursuing shadows where you should pursue substance.”

He questioned the size and cost of Nigeria’s federal legislature and bureaucracy, describing it as bloated and unsustainable.

“What, for example, are we doing with 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members? Do you know the Senate has over 45 committees? Each committee is fully staffed with members and employees.

“We have a system where one position has accretions up to 10. Thus, we have an SSA, Senior Special Assistant, after a Special Advisor, Senior Special Assistant, then Special Assistant, then Personal Assistant. Do you know how many ministries we are operating? Well over 40 ministries.”

Ozekhome warned that unless Nigeria discards its current constitution in favour of a truly people-driven document that reflects its ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, it will remain stuck in a cycle of dysfunction and stagnation.
(PUNCH)

Related Topics:#Nigeria 1999 Constitution Constitution

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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