Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, delivered a stark warning on Wednesday, asserting that without a departure from the 1999 Constitution, Nigeria’s challenges would remain insurmountable. Speaking at the launch of the biography The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, Anyaoku argued that Nigeria, as a pluralistic nation, urgently requires a constitution that embraces genuine federalism to foster unity and stability.
“To those who think the trouble with Nigeria lies solely with political leadership, I say this: so long as we retain the 1999 Constitution as our grundnorm, not even Angel Gabriel or Malaikah Jibrin could effectively tackle the divisiveness, underperforming economy, poverty, insecurity, and corruption plaguing Nigeria,” Anyaoku remarked.
Highlighting Nigeria’s diversity, he referenced the experiences of other pluralistic nations that have thrived through true federal structures. “Countries such as India, Canada, and Switzerland have succeeded because they addressed their diversity with genuine federal constitutions,” he stated, adding that a similar path is essential if Nigeria is to realise political stability and tackle its current challenges.
Anyaoku’s speech also celebrated Professor Osuntokun, describing him as a committed patriot who played a critical role in his successful bid for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General. “Osuntokun’s dedication to Nigeria and his integrity earned him the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation award, making him a role model for young Nigerians seeking success through hard work,” Anyaoku said.
The event, attended by prominent figures including former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, served as a platform for further discussions on Nigeria’s societal challenges. Obi lamented the nation’s tendency to elevate unworthy role models while undervaluing intellectual and educational achievement, noting, “We pay thugs a hundred times what academics earn, and that choice of role models is destroying our society.”
Other dignitaries present, such as Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Tunde Bakare, praised Osuntokun’s influence as an educator and mentor, with Bakare stating, “He was a blessing to me at a critical time in my life.”
With Nigeria facing escalating political, economic, and security crises, Anyaoku’s call for constitutional reform echoes a growing sentiment that the 1999 Constitution must be replaced with one that genuinely addresses the nation’s pluralistic nature if lasting solutions are to be found.
