Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasised that effective governance is determined not by the perfection of a nation’s constitution but by the integrity of those who implement it.
At the opening of a three-day National Summit on Nigeria’s constitutional future, organised by The Patriots in partnership with the Nigeria Political Summit Group in Abuja, Obasanjo’s message—read on his behalf by Eminent Patriots Secretary-General Olawale Okunniyi—highlighted that constitutional flaws matter less than the conduct of political leaders.
“No constitution can ever be regarded as perfect,” Obasanjo said. “The most critical issue is the calibre of the operators of the constitution. Even the best-designed constitution can be distorted by selfish actors.”
Obasanjo warned that continued indifference, corruption and disregard for the rule of law threaten the nation’s stability, regardless of any constitutional changes.
Former Akwa Ibom governor Victor Attah echoed similar concerns, describing the current 1999 Constitution as a product of military rule rather than a democratic process. He urged a shift back to true federalism, arguing that Nigeria’s centralised system undermines equity and national cohesion.
“True federalism must grant real autonomy to the federating units,” Attah said. He called for measures such as a unicameral legislature, lower political costs, and restoring sovereignty to the people to revive citizens’ faith in governance.
Senator Gbenga Daniel, who co-chaired the summit, outlined its goal to address critical issues including electoral and judicial reform, resource control, and local government efficiency. Daniel stressed that diverse groups—from youth and women to traditional and religious leaders—must have a say in reshaping Nigeria’s constitutional order.
“We are here because the current structure, created by the 1999 Constitution, has failed to deliver on equity, governance and inclusion,” Daniel said.
Daniel added that recommendations from the summit would be compiled and presented to the National Assembly and the presidency, aiming to encourage dialogue rather than confrontation.
“Nigeria urgently requires a constitutional framework that speaks to the realities and hopes of all its citizens,” he concluded.
