Nigeria’s constitution can’t address current challenges, says Anyaoku

Emeka Anyaoku, former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, says Nigeria’s current constitution cannot address the nation’s myriad socio-economic challenges.

Speaking with NAN on Saturday in Anambra, Anyaoku said the 1999 constitution, as amended, is a departure from the one that stabilised the country after it attained independence.

The elder statesman said until the country returns to the constitution of Nigeria’s “founding fathers”, it would not be able to overcome its challenges.

“I am on record for saying that these challenges cannot be effectively addressed under the constitution and governance system we have at the moment,” he said.

“We cannot effectively address these challenges that have assumed nationwide dimension, especially insecurity, which has pervaded the northern part of the country and other communities.

“For a pluralistic state as Nigeria, we have to return to those principles of the constitution as earlier agreed by our founding fathers.

“Until we do that, I am afraid that we cannot effectively deal with the challenges facing the nation.”

Anyaoku said the sit-at-home declared and enforced by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is causing harm to the economy of the south-east.

“The sit-at-home is doing great damage to the economy of the south-east region. I do not support the idea, I think it is doing great damage to the economy,” he said.

“We have to deal with the root cause of sit-at-home, which is the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

“Notwithstanding the fact that the court of law had ordered his release, that detention gives those who advocate and participate in sit-at-home the reason for doing so.

“I think that the cause of the sit-at-home should be addressed. I do not think that the sit-at-home should be maintained. It should be stopped.”