New Constitution & Not Amendment by Odiawa Ai

Like previous administrations, the 10th National Assembly is impersonating the trampled path of piecemeal amendment of the 1999 Constitution, an almost certain waste of time that has swallowed N1 billion every legislative cycle without conveying any worth to the nation. That document is irredeemable. As such, the lawmakers ought to put to an end this act and give the citizens a new constitution that ensures genuine federalism.

The disjointedness of the current centralizing constitution and its logical inconsistencies and encumbrances on advancement have become too apparent to disregard. The economy is faltering, featured by the N87.9 trillion debt, a imploding currency, hyperinflation, youth unemployment and income shortages. Infrastructure is terribly deficient and collapsing with the education and health sectors in crises, backed by a shortage of human capital.

The most recent gyration is a bill by 60 lawmakers in the House of Representatives to convert the nation from a presidential to a parliamentary system.

This is the reaction of the political class to the grave situation of the nation. National security is at the point of being overwhelmed by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, separatist agitators, and oil cheats. The nation is ranked 16th of 179 countries in the 2022 Fragile States Index of the Fund for Peace. Notwithstanding being under attack, the 36 states are defenseless in light of the fact that the constitution restricts state policing.

Nigeria’s ‘unitary federalism’ has conveyed destitution and tilted the nation towards state collapse. From 52 per cent of the population poor in 1999, Nigeria currently has over 140 million multi-dimensionally poor citizens, this is according to the NBS and the World Bank.

Bugged by a disjointed administrative structure, a natural federation of over 250 ethnic nationalities, diverse cultures, world perspectives and aspirations, is trapped in the snare of a military-made constitution that over-empowers the centre. The sub-nationals come up short on power to control their assets or secure lives and property within their territories. More regrettably, the nation is profoundly partitioned along ethnic and religious affiliations, with national cohesion at its most minimal ebb since the Biafra Civil War (1967-1970).

Numerous Nigerians, who until now opposed the calls for restructuring are currently strident in their request for a new constitution. Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ijaw National Congress, Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities and other bodies have over and over reiterated the imperative of a new constitution. The NASS ought to therefore pay attention to the demands of their constituents and promptly commence the cycle for a sincere federal constitution.

Aside from Nigeria, none of the world’s other 24 federations operate a unitary constitution. Regulatory control over mining is shared among the three levels of government in the United States, Australia, and Canada.

India’s constitution vests policing powers principally in the 28 states and law enforcement responsibilities are shared with the centre. Brazil has federal, state, and municipal police forces, and the US’ decentralized system flaunts almost 18,000 separate police agencies.

The World Prison Brief database lists 4,445 correctional centres run by the federal, state, and local authorities in the US, and both the federal and state governments run penitentiaries in Brazil. Nigeria ought to likewise be run similarly or face the probability of state disappointment.

The recent decision by the federal and state governments to initiate moves for the establishment of state police is an affirmation of the desperate circumstance the nation has found itself. Notwithstanding, this cannot supplant the holistic restructuring of the nation through an established redesign.

There's simply no time left for Nigeria; the political and economic gaps being experienced in the nation are suggestive of the maladies besetting the nation. The fix can't be delayed. In this way, the only way to ensure Nigeria’s survival, and future flourishing is a new constitution hinged on fiscal federalism.