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1999 Constitution Illegitimate, Can’t Save Nigeria – Ozekhome

Published

2 months ago

July 14, 2025

Editor

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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INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

Published

4 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

“The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

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Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

9 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

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Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

20 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.