1963 Constitution Remains The Best Document For Nigeria, Akeredolu Says

- Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has praised the 1963 constitution

- According to him, the constitution was the best for Nigeria which will address most of the problems being faced by the country

- He also claimed that Nigerians are not allowed to have input in most of the constitutional reviews

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Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has sent a message to the Nigerian federal government: The 1963 constitution remains the best document for Nigeria.

He said going back to the 1963 Republican Constitution will help to address all the ongoing agitations in the country, Tribune Newspaper reports.

The governor said this during his opening remark at the public hearing by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review held at the International Event Center, the Dome in Akure, the state capital.

He said:

“This country has been experiencing constitution review since 1922 when the colonialists pretended to give a semblance of representation in our affairs.

“The 1946 Richard’s Constitution followed due to agitations of the people who clamoured for more representation. The Macpherson’s of 1951 and Lyttleton’s of 1954 followed the same pattern. The 1958 Conference held in London gave provenance to the Independence Constitution of 1960.

“The1963 Constitution retained Regionalism and upheld the principle of autochthony, organic development of the law using local experiences. The Republican status of the country was reflected.

“The major provisions which allowed the three regions which existed before independence were retained in the 1963 Constitution. That remains the best document for a country as heterogeneous as Nigeria. It was the best practicable guide towards nationhood.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that as many Nigerians continue to call for unity in the country Prof. Wole Soyinka has revealed that achieving that will be possible under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He attributed this to the country's systemic failure. He disclosed this in Abuja at the book reading and signing of two of his books titled ‘Trumpism in Academe’ and ‘Chronicles of the Happiest People on Earth’ organised.

He said this while responding to a question by former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state who asked him if he could write a Nigerian story where the country is united.

In another report, Legit.ng reported that Soyinka advised Nigerian governors to shun timidity and push for greater autonomy.

He re-echoed the call for restructuring while speaking at the virtual Obafemi Awolowo lecture with the theme, ‘Whither Nigeria?’ on Saturday, March 6.

Challenging the governors to take charge of the welfare of their people, he said if they study the constitution carefully, just as he has done with his lawyers, they will realise that a lot can be done at this moment.

According to him, the governors have too much centralised mentality embedded in their minds and are afraid to come out of their cocoons.

Legit.ng had also reported that former presidential candidate, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, joined the calls, stating that every geopolitical region dislikes the way the nation is presently constituted.

She stated that Nigeria had failed in the practice of democracy, federalism, and constitutionalism, noting that restructuring was the only way to save the nation.

Source: Legit.ng