Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
Renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, believes that repeatedly amending the 1999 Constitution won’t solve Nigeria’s deep-seated problems.
Instead, he advocated for a brand-new, people-driven constitution that prioritizes national development and regional autonomy.
“A document that is already afflicted with an ailment cannot be amended,” Ozekhome said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday
“If you have a problem in your house — the building is cracking — how do you solve it? Some people say, ‘Let’s amend the present constitution.’ Amendment, one million times, cannot solve the problem.”
*“Current Constitution is a Curse”*
Ozekhome described the current constitution as a “curse” to Nigerian development, promoting over-centralization of power in Abuja and crippling regional growth and autonomy.
“It was imposed on us by a military government.
“We need a people’s constitution that truly reflects our wishes,” he emphasized.
The constitutional lawyer criticized the existing presidential system, calling it “too costly” and “unsustainable.”
He advocated for a return to the parliamentary system, which he believes would be more effective and less expensive.
Decentralization is Key
“A parliamentary system is less expensive but more effective. Once people control their local security and resources, insecurity will vanish. It’s not rocket science,” Ozekhome said.
He believes that decentralization would enable each region to legislate independently, attract investments, and operate local policing aligned with cultural realities.
A New Constitution: The Way Forward
Ozekhome urged President Bola Tinubu to champion a new constitution, recalling the president’s past advocacy for constitutional reform.
“Tinubu knows that a new constitution will solve our problems. If he does, he will be remembered in history more than for any other achievement during his tenure,” Ozekhome said.
