Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Bornet .k
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has called for the immediate convocation of a Sovereign National Conference aimed at producing a new constitution that reflects the aspirations, diversity and democratic values of Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its factional President-General, Chief Omenazu Jackson, the group argued that Nigeria has never operated under a constitution created through the direct and sovereign decision of its citizens.
Ohanaeze maintained that the country’s constitutional development has largely been shaped by colonial administrations and successive military governments, rather than through a people-led constitutional process.
The organisation traced Nigeria’s constitutional history back to the colonial era, arguing that documents such as the Clifford Constitution of 1922, Richards Constitution of 1946, Macpherson Constitution of 1951 and Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 were primarily designed by British authorities to serve colonial interests.
It further argued that the Independence Constitution of 1960 and the Republican Constitution of 1963, although important milestones in Nigeria’s political development, were products of negotiations among political elites operating within structures inherited from colonial rule.
According to Ohanaeze, later constitutional arrangements, including the 1979 Constitution, the proposed but abandoned 1989 constitutional reforms and the current 1999 Constitution, were developed under military influence and did not receive approval through a referendum or a direct expression of the people’s will.
The group said the lack of a constitution created through popular participation has contributed to many of Nigeria’s ongoing political challenges, including debates over federalism, resource control, devolution of powers, state police, electoral reforms, fiscal arrangements and national unity.
Ohanaeze argued that Nigeria’s democratic development requires a constitutional framework that citizens can identify with and accept as legitimate. It said a Sovereign National Conference would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to collectively discuss and determine the country’s political structure, governance system and future direction.
The organisation proposed that ethnic nationalities should independently nominate and sponsor their representatives to the conference without interference or financial involvement from government authorities.
It also recommended equal representation for ethnic groups regardless of population size or geographical location, arguing that such an arrangement would promote fairness and encourage mutual respect among Nigeria’s diverse communities.
Ohanaeze insisted that no arm of government should appoint, screen, fund or influence delegates participating in the proposed conference. It said the conference should have the independence to determine its own procedures, committees, timetable and venue.
The group further proposed that decisions reached at the conference should not be subject to alteration or rejection by government institutions and that the constitution produced through the process should become Nigeria’s supreme legal document.
The call comes amid renewed national debates over restructuring, governance reforms and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s current political system. Various groups and political actors have over the years raised concerns about the concentration of powers at the federal level and have advocated changes to improve accountability and representation.
Supporters of a Sovereign National Conference argue that it could provide a platform for addressing longstanding disagreements over the country’s structure and promote a stronger sense of national ownership.
However, previous proposals for such a conference have generated different reactions, with some critics questioning how its decisions would interact with existing constitutional institutions and legal processes.
Ohanaeze urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the initiative, describing it as a pathway towards peace, justice and national renewal.
The organisation said Nigeria must move towards a system where citizens have a direct role in determining the principles guiding their governance.
“A truly democratic nation must be governed by a Constitution made by the people, for the people, and with the full consent of the people,” the group stated.
The debate over constitutional reform is expected to remain a major issue in Nigeria’s political discussions as stakeholders continue to examine ways to strengthen democracy, improve governance and address concerns about inclusion and national cohesion.
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