- Says Nigeria must overhaul 1999 Constitution
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfill the dreams of a prosperous country to Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s Democracy Day celebration.
He said that the democracy icon, the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, on whose name the day is commemorated, stood for ‘justice, freedom, equity, liberty and sustainability of democratic tenets.’
Adams spoke in Lagos on Monday at the 30th anniversary of June 12 and Democracy Day with the theme, “June 12, 1993, Identity Politics and the National Question: Thirty Years After.”
According to him, Abiola’s death would not be in vain because, according to him, democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
He added that although there are challenges that have threatened the foundation of this democracy, things could be better with a ‘proper approach’.
“We cannot achieve much if our democracy is tied to the 1999 constitution that we are using presently in Nigeria.
“The 1979 and 1999 constitutions are tools that the military imposed on us to preserve their atrocities.
“The constitutions have always remained the bane of Nigeria. That is why we are where we are at the moment.
“Unless we embrace regionalism, and let the federating units develop at their own paces, Nigeria may find it very difficult to realise its lofty dreams.
“With a new administration in power, there is a need for President Bola Tinubu to come up with a policy direction that has a human face,” he said.
Specifically, he referred to the 1999 constitution as the problem of Nigeria calling for its total review before the country can move forward.
He added that it is also a military tool that President Bola Tinubu needs to review.
His words: “We cannot achieve much if our democracy is tied to the 1999 Constitution, which we are using presently in Nigeria. The 1979 and 1999 Constitutions are tools the military imposed on us to preserve their atrocities.
“I think the new president should find a way to resolve this issue that will impede the progress of this country. If we do not review or overhaul the 1999 Constitution, I don’t believe Nigeria can move forward.
“Unless we embrace regionalism and let the federating units develop at their own pace, Nigeria will find it very difficult to realise its lofty dreams.
“The new administration in power, led by President Tinubu, should come out with policy direction that has a human face. Nigeria has suffered a lot; it will be disastrous if we continue to suffer under this administration,” he stressed.
He also appealed to the president to come up with a policy direction that has a human face, saying that it will be disastrous if Nigeria continues to suffer under this new administration.
The Yoruba leader noted that it’s been 30 years since the annulled 1993 election which was won by the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Moshood Abiola.
He noted that sustaining democracy means Abiola did not die in vain.
Also speaking, at the event, the President of the Women Arise Initiative, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin, harped on the need to continue to re-invent ‘the spirit of June 12 in the national consciousness of every Nigerian’.
“Nigerians who put aside the primordial influence and voted for the late MKO Abiola must never give up.
“Identity Politics is not really bad but it has been demonised here in Nigeria. All over the world, identity politics is practised. So, we must work on the unity of this country. When there is unity there is peace.
“I am appealing to President Tinubu for the de-annulment of June 12. Abiola must be recognized as one of our past presidents. He died for our collective struggle,” she stated.
The Punch
