Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
As Nigeria gears up for the pivotal 2027 general elections, a coalition of influential Christian elders has issued a forceful appeal to the nation’s leadership, urging the abandonment of the 1999 Constitution and the adoption of an entirely new charter before the ballot. The call has reignited deep-seated national debates about governance, legitimacy, federal structure and the future direction of Africa’s most populous democracy.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu titled “Mr President, What Legacy Would You Leave Behind?”, the elders — speaking through the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) — contend that the 1999 Constitution, which has governed Nigeria since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999, no longer represents the will or diversity of its people and has failed to deliver inclusive and effective governance. They argue that conducting another election under this framework would amount to “validating illegitimacy every four years.”
The letter, signed by the forum’s chairman, Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani, a former deputy governor of Taraba State, and other prominent members, insists that the existing constitutional order was neither negotiated by Nigeria’s various ethnic nationalities nor the product of a genuinely representative constituent assembly. “The 1999 Constitution lacks legitimacy and should be decommissioned immediately,” the statement reads, urging that a people-driven national conference be convened to draft a new foundational document that reflects Nigeria’s complex social, cultural, religious and regional mosaic.
For many Nigerians, the elders’ intervention resonates with broader frustrations over persistent economic hardship, insecurity and political instability. Over the years, critics of the 1999 Constitution have repeatedly argued that the document has become a patchwork of amendments and military legacies that concentrate power at the center and marginalise the federating units, exacerbating regional disparities and fueling agitation for deeper restructuring. Calls for a complete overhaul — rather than piecemeal amendments — have been voiced by constitutional scholars, legal practitioners and some political actors, who describe the current framework as outdated and unfit for purpose.
The NCEF’s intervention, however, goes beyond procedural reforms. In its letter, the group also makes contentious suggestions aimed at addressing Nigeria’s longstanding religious and legal tensions. Among these is a call for northern states to dismantle Sharia criminal law systems and revert to the Penal Code, on the grounds that parallel legal frameworks operating within the same federal republic create deep national contradictions. The elders assert that Nigeria’s constitutionally mandated secular status has been undermined by religiously influenced legal systems at the state level, contributing to insecurity and societal fragmentation.
Tensions around the role of religion in governance are not new in Nigeria, where over 250 ethnic groups and major religious divisions reflect the country’s complex social fabric. Some Christian leaders and organisations have previously argued that the constitution and governance structures should better protect minority rights and promote equal citizenship. These voices often highlight perceived disadvantages to Christian communities under a system that allows for the coexistence of customary, Sharia and statutory laws, particularly in regions dominated by Islamic jurisprudence.
President Tinubu’s government has not publicly responded in detail to the elders’ letter, but the president has emphasised national unity and ongoing constitutional review processes as he seeks to balance competing demands. Tinubu has framed constitutional review efforts as essential to Nigeria’s stability and long-term development, while urging Nigerians to participate constructively in shaping the future of the republic.
Nigeria’s constitution-making history is fraught with controversy and unresolved tensions. The 1999 Constitution was promulgated in the waning days of military rule and restored civilian governance, yet critics argue it bears the imprint of undemocratic processes and lacks the foundational legitimacy that comes from broad civic participation. Across successive administrations, numerous amendment efforts have sought to address issues such as federalism, state autonomy and electoral reforms, but many of these efforts have failed to achieve the comprehensive changes demanded by reform advocates.
The elders’ call for a new constitution also aligns with rising public sentiment that meaningful reform requires more than legislative tinkering. Legal luminaries and former officials have echoed similar concerns, urging that past amendment attempts have fallen short of addressing fundamental governance flaws — particularly in areas such as power distribution, resource control and institutional accountability.
While the NCEF’s letter underscores Christian elder leadership in the reform debate, it has also sparked discussions about the proper role of religious actors in secular constitutional matters. Some Nigerians argue that constitutional reform should remain strictly within the domain of political and legal institutions, while others welcome moral authority figures into the debate, believing that broad civic engagement — including from religious communities — is critical for a new constitutional settlement. The challenge remains in balancing these perspectives without alienating segments of the population or deepening religious fault lines. Analysts warn that any constitutional overhaul process will need to be fiercely inclusive and sensitive to Nigeria’s plural realities, to avoid exacerbating ethno-religious tensions.
The debate over whether to scrap the 1999 Constitution also has significant implications for the 2027 elections and beyond. Nigeria’s electoral landscape is already shaping up to be highly competitive, with questions about electoral credibility, political representation and national cohesion at the forefront of public discourse. Some opposition figures and civil society groups have suggested that a new constitutional framework could provide a more solid foundation for credible elections, enhance citizen participation and strengthen democratic institutions.
However, others caution that pushing for a complete constitutional overhaul ahead of elections could disrupt electoral timelines and create uncertainty. The constitutional review process in Nigeria is complex, requiring not only national consensus but also approval by two-thirds of state assemblies for any proposed fundamental changes. This high threshold, intended to ensure broad support, underscores the difficulty of producing constitutional change in a deeply divided polity.
Beyond procedural concerns, the NCEF’s letter raises broader questions about national identity, governance legitimacy and the future direction of the Nigerian state. With less than two years to go until the 2027 general elections, the call to abandon the 1999 Constitution has added urgency to ongoing debates about reform, federalism and the right balance between regional autonomy and national unity.
As Nigeria’s political stakeholders — including the government, civil society, religious leaders and ordinary citizens — continue to engage on these issues, the broader challenge will be ensuring that any reforms reflect the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people, rather than narrow sectional interests. Whether the 1999 Constitution will be replaced, significantly overhauled, or remain the basis for future governance will shape the trajectory of Africa’s largest democracy for decades to come.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments