Chief Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, has demanded a review of the 1999 Constitution because he believes it will prevent Nigeria from progressing.
Aare Adams urged President Bola Tinubu to address the constitutional issue, which, in his view, will continue to impede the nation’s progress if it is not resolved. Adams was speaking at a celebration of Democracy Day and the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1999 election on Monday in Lagos.
He also urged the president to establish a policy course with a human face, warning that it would be devastating if Nigeria continued to experience hardships under this new leadership.
“We cannot achieve much if our democracy is tied to the 1999 Constitution which we are using presently in Nigeria today. The 1979 and 1999 Constitutions are tools the military imposed on us to preserve their atrocity.
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“The Constitution has always remained the bane of Nigeria that is why we are in the place we are today because of the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions; that is one of the problems Nigeria cannot move forward today,” Adams said at the event with the theme, June 12, 1993, Identity Politics and the National Question: Thirty Years After.
“I think the new President should find a way to resolve this issue that will pin the progress of this country. If we do not review or overhaul the 1999 Constitution, I don’t believe Nigeria can move forward. Unless we embrace regionalism and let the federating units develop at their own pace, Nigeria will find it very difficult to realize its lofty dreams.
“The new administration in power led by should come out with policy direction that has a human face. Nigeria has suffered a lot; it will be disastrous if we continue to suffer under this administration,” he said.
“We must understand that Late Abiola Mandate stands for justice, freedom, equity, liberty, and sustainability of democracy. All these were the ideals that Late Aare Moshood Kashimowo Abiola lived and died for. I believe truly that Late Abiola’s death was not in vain because democracy has come to stay,” Adams stated.
