Politics
Which Is Better : Should Nigeria Continue Operating Military Imposed Constitution or Formulate New Democratic Constitution ?
The theme of the summit is: “Actualising a constitutional democracy that works for all in Nigeria.”
• Olusegun Obasanjo and Emeka Anyaoku
Former Commonwealth Secretary- General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, shared perspectives on whether or not Nigeria should have a new constitution.
They spoke in Abuja, yesterday , during the opening of a three-day emergency national constitutional summit organised by a group of eminent Nigerians operating under the umbrella of the Patriots.
The theme of the summit is: “Actualising a constitutional democracy that works for all in Nigeria.”
While Anyaoku believes Nigeria needs a new, pluralistic Constitution, Obasanjo said that no such document is perfect and that it is the operators that matter.
Anyaoku dismissed the 1999 Constitution, currently in operation, as a military imposition.
The Chair of the Patriots believes that the country’s pluralistic nature requires a new constitution.To Anyaoku, the present 36 federating units have proven incapable of driving development, adding that 65 years after independence, Nigeria has become the world capital of poverty.
He said: “Nigeria is a pluralistic country, and like all successful pluralistic countries around the world, for its stability and maximal development, its constitution must address its problems.
“Second, it must address its pluralism by being formulated by elected representatives of its diverse people.
“Our present 1999 Constitution, as amended, is not such a constitution. It was not democratically formulated.
“It was instead imposed on the country through a decree by the military administration.
“And the governance system derived from it is not only non-inclusive, but also induces over-expectation of the nation’s resources on administration rather than on capital development.
“As a result, what we see is our nation’s need for a new constitution.
“There is the need for a new constitution, but this is a matter to be made by the people of our country.”
He called for “a constitution that would be in sync with the Constitution of the United States, a constitution of successful pluralistic countries around the world”.
Anyaoku added: “To those who say that the fate of a country depends primarily on its leadership, I say that the Constitution from which the system of governance is derived largely determines the character of the people who get elected or appointed to govern the country from the three arms of the government.”
On the other hands, Obasanjo said said that Nigeria doesn’t need a new constitution but rather needs the right operators of the constitution.
Represented by the Secretary-General of Eminent Patriots, Mr Olawale Okunniyi, the former President agreed that while a constitution must reflect the history, the constituents and the aspirations of a people, “no constitution is perfect.”
Obasanjo said: “From my experience in operating our constitution, I will be the first to point out some areas that need amendment.
However, for me, no constitution can ever be regarded as perfect.
“But whatever the strength or weakness of a constitution, the most important issue, to my understanding and experience, is the operators of the constitution.
“The best constitution can be perverted and distorted by the operators, and we have experienced that all over Africa, Nigeria is not exempt.
“I am more concerned about the operators of the constitution to lead in good governance and promotion of welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry.“No matter what you do to the Nigerian constitution, if the operators of the constitution, for the past one decade and a half, remain unchanged and continue in the same manner, the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of selfishness.”
Politics
Again, Desmond Elliot begs political mentor,Gbajabiamila , “I’m sorry, Daddy”
The latest apology is not the first time Elliot has publicly sought forgiveness from Gbajabiamila over the political disagreement.
“I’m sorry. I have no excuse; I have nothing other than to say I’m deeply sorry. I’m deeply sorry, sir. And in our culture, we prostrate. Don’t be angry, Daddy.”
The above statement was made by
The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC leadership and appealed for an end to any disagreement between him and Gbajabiamila.
The latest apology is not the first time Elliot has publicly sought forgiveness from Gbajabiamila over the political disagreement.
During an earlier appearance on TVC’s Your View, Elliot acknowledged that he may have offended his political mentor through his political engagements, while maintaining that any misunderstanding between them was not deliberate.
“I’m not saying, oh, yes, media will come out, oh yes, Desmond begs again. Yes, because he’s my egbon. And I grew up learning everything I knew in politics through him,” he said.
He added, “To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way.”
The dispute occurred amid the political tensions surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis, during which Gbajabiamila said he faced difficulties at the Presidency over allegations concerning Elliot’s political activities.
Politics
I will concede defeat if 2027 election is credible — Obi
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.
Obi stated this in an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, saying he would respect the will of Nigerians if they chose another candidate.
“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” he said.
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” he said.
Fielding question on what about “turn-by-turn” presidency, Obi said elections should not be determined by tribe or religion.
“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence; I have been all over the world studying what it takes to be president of a country, and I know what I can do to turn around this country in the right direction.”
Politics
Trump promises $5,000 ‘dividend’ to U.S. citizens if Republicans win midterms
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 “dividend” if the Republicans are victorious at the upcoming midterm elections.
Americans will vote in the midterms in early November, with the Democrats currently projected to win control of the House of Representatives.
Such a result would likely create barriers to Trump’s legislative agenda and send a signal about public opinion on the president’s policy mix throughout his second presidential term.
“Here is my promise: if the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them… because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” he told a crowd at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he added.
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
The potential payout compares to the $1.27 trillion the U.S.
-
Business3 days agoDangote: Africa Is Like a ‘Scratch Card’ — Opportunities Are Immense
-
Business3 days agoTextiles was my biggest business mistake — Dangote
-
International3 days agoJUST IN: All Occupants Survive as Aircraft Crashes, Catches Fire
-
Business2 days agoNaira Exchange Rates To Dollar, Pound, Euro…Wednesday, 16 September 2026
-
International3 days agoMillions affected as floods strike India
-
Entertainment2 days agoEXCLUSIVE: Veteran Nollywood Actor, Olu Jacobs Dies at 84
-
Entertainment2 days agoOlu Jacobs: His Life and Times
-
Health1 day agoOndo ‘Monkey Tail’ herbal drink kills 49
