Former Deputy National Chairman of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Chief Olabode George has said that Nigeria must change the 1999 constitution and consider setting up the State police now to help tackle the increasing security challenges nationwide.
George noted that the Nigerian constitution “is military in setting” and needed to be reviewed.
He said, “Having served that long in the military, I can authoritatively confirm to you that the Nigerian constitution is absolutely military in setting. In the military, orders come from top to bottom.
But in a democratic dispensation, powers come from the people (bottom) to the top. But we have copied the American constitution, that’s why things are not working. We must be deceiving ourselves if we think that this constitution will take us to the promised land.”
The PDP chieftain also stressed the idea of state policing, noting that it would be a very effective way of securing the country.
George said: “Having served that long in the Military, l can confirm to you that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is absolutely military inclined and this will never take us to our promised land.
“In the military, orders come from top to bottom, but in a democratic dispensation, powers come from the people to the top and that is why things are not working.
Therefore, we need to revisit how we run ourselves in order for things to work properly for us.
I called for complete revisiting of the nation’s Constitution and not piecemeal review, noting that the constitution could no longer work for the betterment of Nigerians
The PDP chieftain also called for state policing, noting that it would be a very effective way of securing the country.
According to him, there is the need for decentralisation, state and local government police and for every state to have control of its resources.
“Policing is community-based. If possible, we need to have local government police because they know those in their immediate environment”.
“Also, the resources in the various parts of this country are enough for the progress of the nation”, he said.
He said it was time for the nation to put the Almighty God first.
He then prayed that God should forgive the nation’s transgressions and direct the minds of its political leaders in ensuring a good life to all the people.
“Enough of this deceit, rottenness in the financial management of our nation.
“Let us put an end to the economic inequalities, injustice, and unfairness in the distribution of our God given resources and our financial wealth.
“If we have the fear of God, moving forward, our nation will rise again,” he said.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
