The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) is canvassing a barrage of a to – do list as a via media between those agitating for a new constitution and those insisting it is value re-orientation that is required. The NPSA is acknowledging the validity of both perspectives but arguing in a statement by the President, Prof Hassan Saliu that that Nigeria’s problems stem from the unwillingness to adhere to moral and ethical standards, rather than the constitution itself.
The statement titled ‘Necessary but Not Urgent’ is reproduced in its entirety below:
The recent visit by the Patriots to the President at Aso Rock on August 9, 2024 has reignited discussions on Nigeria’s challenges in fulfilling its potential as a shining democratic nation. The Patriots emphasized the failure of the 1999 Constitution as amended, imposed by the military, as the primary cause of widespread discontent. They advocate for a new constitution derived from the people to drive progress. However, another group, represented by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, prioritizes value reorientation over a new constitution, arguing that a flawed value system undermines progress.
The NPSA acknowledges the validity of both perspectives but suggests that Nigeria’s problems stem from the unwillingness to adhere to moral and ethical standards, rather than the constitution itself. We propose addressing fundamental attitudinal issues before attempting to write a new constitution. Our reasons include:
- High costs in a corrupt environment
- Time-consuming process
- Pressing emergencies like hunger and poverty
- The current constitution can be amended and improved upon
- Loopholes are exploited by operators for personal gains
- Political actors may not follow a new constitution
- Unchecked corruption and rubber-stamping legislature
- Ineffective laws and agencies
- Judicial officers’ questionable pronouncements
- Unimplemented provisions for citizens’ welfare
- Exclusive list congestion can be addressed through amendments
- Threats to disobey court judgments
- Most political actors do not bother to show fidelity to their parties’ manifestoes and the constitution
- Reaching a consensus on a new constitution will be a tall order
- An elaborate process of drafting a new constitution will lead to many troubling concerns
- The operators of the constitution are the issue
17.There is no perfect constitution anywhere in the world
- Not everything wrong with Nigeria is constitutional in nature
While not rejecting the idea of a new constitution, the NPSA believes it can wait. We should leverage the good aspects of the current constitution to address existential challenges. Ultimately, a constitution’s spirit and unwritten national values, rather than its content, drive a nation’s progress”
The veteran’s veteran
The Patriots during the visit to President Tinubu
In an earlier intervention, elder statesman and ex-NEPU stalwart, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai equally expressed reservations over the position of The Patriots. He said the call for a new constitution is not a consensus within the platform nor had it benefitted from sufficient consultation.
Alhaji Tanko equally aligned himself with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo’s view that the core problem facing Nigeria is not necessarily the constitution or the tenure of office. “The crux of our challenges lies in the attitude and character of those who operate the constitution. Without a change in the mindset and conduct of our leaders, even the most perfectly crafted constitution will fail to deliver the progress and stability we seek”
What his position and that of the NPSA suggests is an elite convergence at the heading of the NPSA’s own press release: Necessary But Not Urgent’
Intervention will keep an eye on newer positions on how the conversation unfolds.
