Toba Owojaiye In Abuja
NADECO has sent a letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging the reinstatement of Nigeria’s 1963 Republican Constitution.
The organization believes that this constitution, which promotes true federalism and fosters peaceful coexistence among government tiers, is crucial for the country.
According to NADECO’s spokesperson, Ayo Opadokun, the demand to return to a Federal Constitutional Governance was a significant aspect of their struggle for independence.
They argued that Nigeria has remained a country rather than a unified nation due to the military’s unauthorized suspension, abolition, and replacement of the negotiated independent constitution with a unitary one.
They assertet that the subsequent 1979 and 1999 constitutions, which preserved the detrimental effects imposed by successive military regimes, have hindered Nigeria’s progress, impeded growth, and perpetuated widespread poverty.
NADECO firmly believes that reverting to the Independence/Republican Constitution will restore accountable and responsible governance, allowing the country to rebuild after the damage caused by self-serving politicians in military uniform since January 15, 1966.
It is worth noting that during his presidency, former President Buhari introduced certain elements of the 1963 constitution, such as a bill granting states autonomy to generate their own power.
Many people believe that Nigeria has not made significant progress since the abandonment of the 1963 constitution.