TheCable

Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), has called for the adoption of the 1963 constitution to address agitations in some parts of the country.

Under the 1963 republican constitution, Nigeria had four regions — east, north, west, and mid-west — with independent structures that reflected its peculiarities.

In recent times, there have been calls for restructuring and return to regional system of government.

Speaking on the development in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Sagay said the 1999 constitution should be scrapped.

He argued that the 1963 republican constitution will also address the concerns on the agitations for restructuring.

“My own personal preference is that we should scrap this constitution (referring to the 1999 constitution) and adopt the 1963 constitution that can contain everything that is being agitated for now,” he said.

“We adopt it, with amendments here and there, to make it accomodate states rather than regions, which we used to have.

“I think all these agitations will die down and everybody will be happy.”

He narrated how the regional government was in control when he was in secondary school, adding that he knew nothing about the federal government.

“When I was in secondary school, I knew nothing about the federal government, I only knew about Ibadan and Awolowo. The region controlled my life from A to Z,” he said.

“I knew nothing about the federal government. Everything worked perfectly, beautifully and happily. So, that is what we are missing.

“The regions competed. Nigeria developed fast. The regions kept what they produced, sent 20 percent to the federal level, and then 30 percent to a distributable level, which was then distributed to the regions, according to their needs.

“And everybody was happy. We just have to go back to that. Otherwise, Nigerians will not enjoy stability.”