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PROSPECTUS FOR A NEW NIGERIA
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For several decades now, especially ever since the return of democracy in 1999, the ceaseless efforts of many patriotic Nigerian leaders in tackling most critical challenges militating against the economic and security prosperity of the Nation are being ignorantly frustrated by Nigerian Constitution.
Anyone who grew up in Nigeria or temporarily lived here for an extended period of time, or who is presently residing in it will affirm that the same problem of 20yrs ago has grown to become a storm causing diverse unrest in the present societies, simply because we failed to do the right thing.
The present economic over-heating and the hardship we all face did not emanate overnight. The anomalies have its genesis traceable back to 1966 when the military forcefully ceased power and began manipulating our constitution. And ever since 1966, Nigerian Constitution remains the singular fundamental adversary to the prosperity of the country.
It's pathetic however, that Nigeria is one of the nations that still operate a kind of constitution that gives no vision for a better future; A constitution that is undemocratic; A constitution that is promoting corruption; A constitution that is rearing the poor to feed the rich; A constitution that has institutionalised tribalism; A constitution that humiliates the less privileged but pampers the elites.
Since 1914 when the Southern and Northern protectorates were amalgamated till 1963, Nigeria economy kicked off favourably with policies that alleviated poverty. Let's ask the likes of Obasanjo, Biyi Durojaiye, Danjuma, Gowon, Buhari, Shonekan and many others who were the living beneficiaries of those policies during that colonial era whether what they experienced then is same as today!
For the first 50 years of Nigeria (1914-1964) before the military involvements, Nigerian lives were secured, economy was buoyant, federalism was practised, marginalisation was not recorded, there were no protest and riots challenging the policies of the day. That was when Nigeria gained the title "THE GIANT OF AFRICA."
This is 2017, Nigeria in its 103 years of existence has gone through 10 constitutions in 1914, 1922, 1946, 1952, 1954, 1958, 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999.
The worst of it is that the military-inspired 1999 Constitution which we still use till date has deviated from the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution as it emerged in our political culture following independence from colonial rule. 1999 constitution was a decree by the military government' with no regards to the people's feelings and aspirations.
The 1999 constitution must be scrapped. The reasons for doing so include the fact that it was not written by the representatives of Nigerians, and that what the framers of that constitution framed is a jumble of the various types of law.
1999 constitution is a decree that has no vision and plans for our diversities and rapid numerical expansion. It does not support resourse control. It's an imposed constitution by the military that promotes impunity. We are no more in Military era, we are practising democracy. It is time to have democratic constitution that will reverse the burden.
Over the past 56 years, Nigeria has seen the growth of a democratic deficit that has brought us to the brink of bankruptcy economically and politically. The urgent need for a new Nigeria is a call for a national sovereignty constitutional conference, to herald debate for a New Nigerian Constitution:
--where power decentralised
--where political office becomes part-time
--where constituency allowance scraped
--where security vote scraped
--where age limit for presidency & Governor
--where States are empowered to build. refinery & power
--where local government councils are given autonomy, empowered to perform more functions.
--where house of representative chamber is scrapped and replaced with "Institute For Government Policy"
--where religious organisations pay taxes and subject to government audit and regulations
--where community policing is enforced
--where judiciary system is reformed for timely justice delivery.
--where there is capital punishment for looters.(Amputation)
RECOMMENDATION:
Having achieved all these, my further recommendation is the introduction of "the Institute for Government's Policy Making". This institute should replace FEC - Federal Executive Council.
The Institute of Government Policy Making should be saddled with responsibilities to deliberate, research, experiment, ionize, and galvanize best ideas with public interest as the priority.
Irrespective of transition in government, the Policy’s team should comprise a staff of experts proficient in various complementary disciplines: politics, law, communications, education, economics, marketing and international relations.
Constitutionally, the appointment must not be politically influenced. They must be typical technocrats! The experts, men of vision and passion, who have zero tolerance for corruption and who are not politicians.
In this perspective, to emerge a New Nigeria, a New Constitution is paramount!
The time is now for a NEW NIGERIA.
God Bless Nigerians
Dr Saint
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With the way nigeria is going, i must say that i really pity the children unborn because they will really suffer. The country keeps getting worse day by day. When nigeria got her independence, things were a little bit better than today. What we are facing is what our fathers and granfathers also faced. This is the reason why fela sang suffering and smiling about forty years ago.The only luck they had then was that there were very few university graduates, so they never had much competition for jobs. Unlike now where every youth has a degree. Nigeria is only growing in population. Nothing else!!! Let nigeria separate!! The world have left us behind!!! |
