1999 constitution requires amendment - Prof. Adedeji

Adewale Ajayi, Lagos - 14.03.2008

Erudite scholar, Professor Adebayo Adedeji, has said the 1999 constitution requires urgent amendment because without that, the political stability of country is at stake.

Speaking at the 21st posthumous birthday lecture, for the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo organised by his political associates at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Ikoyi Lagos, he said Nigeria was yet to have a constitution that could advance its cause, because “the constitution we have now is a military constitution and that was why it is riddled with many flaws.”

Speaking on the topic “Awolowo and his thoughts on Nigeria ’s constitutional development,” under the chairmanship of Chief Anthony Enahoro, Professor Adedeji said Awolowo had canvassed for a constitution that could advance the country further on the road to true federalism.

He added that to have a constitution that would guarantee true federalism, it must focus on resurrection of true federalism, presidential and parliamentary system of government, restoration of unadulterated federal finance system and reform of the electoral system and the political parties.