Ned Nwoko: Nigeria needs good governance, not new constitution

Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta north, says Nigeria does not need a new constitution since the 1999 constitution (as amended) is a workable document.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Nwoko said the national assembly will only amend sections of the constitution.

Over the years, The Patriots, a group of elder statesmen, led by Emeka Anyaoku, former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, has been calling for a new constitution  that is “people-centred”.

Anyaoku-led group had argued that the 1999 constitution was designed by the military government and imposed on Nigerians.

The national assembly has commenced zonal public hearings on a range of proposals seeking amendment to the 1999 constitution, including the creation of state police, electoral reforms, and devolution of powers.

Reacting to questions on the call for a new constitution, Nwoko said Nigerians’ plight did not arise from the constitution itself, but from welfare related challenges.

The senator said the amendment processes being initiated by national assembly are sufficient for addressing concerns raised by citizens.

“Personally, I don’t subscribe to the idea that we should throw away the current constitution and do create entirely a new one,” he said.

“It is a document that has been guilding what we are doing in Nigeria so far. I think what we (national assembly) are doing is sufficient for now, which is looking for how we can improve on the constitution as it is.

“There can never be any perfect constitution anywhere in the world. All you can do is to propose amendment and hope that these amendments go through.

“It is not about constitution; the problem of Nigeria is not the constitution. It is about the people. How patriotic are we? How law-abiding are we as a people? How supportive are the government at all levels — federal, states and LGAs — to the people.

“We have a working constitution; we must look at how Nigerians can be respected and provided for. How the average Nigerians can live their lives without dying of hunger.

“How the poor can be housed and provided free medical services. These are the issues — the welfare of Nigerians. Nigerian are tired of bad governance. It is not about the constitution.”