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The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has accused politicians, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic woes.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Ndume warned that their actions are pushing the country toward a crisis similar to Venezuela’s.
The senator’s remarks reflect his criticism of external economic policies and domestic political mismanagement, which he believes have combined to worsen the country’s economic challenges.
He emphasized the need for a more self-reliant and locally driven approach to economic reforms, urging leaders to prioritize the interests of Nigerians over external pressures.
He said, “I think so. But you can go ahead, I am here. But let me tell you, this problem that we have in this country is self inflicted. Look at it deeply.
“And you know, the World Bank and the IMF have hands in it. They don’t need to be here for us. My fear is that they are deliberately driving us towards Venezuela. Venezuela has the world largest oil reserve with less population, I think, is about 30 million people. And yet, even now, people are dying.”
Ndume, when told that it wasn’t the IMF that did that, noting that there were internal politics, said, “Now you are saying, you know when we allow ourselves to be managed by somebody that doesn’t know the environment or the condition we are operating, then you are getting it wrong.”
The Nigerian Police Force has identified and detained officers allegedly involved in the extortion of N2.3m from one Nwosu Ndubuisi.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Zone 7 Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP M.B. Abdulkadir, on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Abdulkadir added that the N2 3m has been recovered and returned to the victim.
He stated, “Further to the earlier statement issued on the alleged extortion of one Mr. Ndubuisi Nwosu by some officers of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, investigation was carried out, the officers allegedly involved in the extortion have been identified and detained, while disciplinary proceedings have commenced against them.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth C. Igweh, reassures the general public that in line with the transparency and accountability policy of the present Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, the zone will update members of the public on the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings against the defaulters.
“He further affirms that the Zone 7 headquarters remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law, public safety, security and its mandate of protecting lives and properties.”
The incident came to light after Harrison Gwamnishu, an X user with the handle #HarrisonBbi18, revealed that officers allegedly extorted N2.3m from Ndubuisi.
According to the report, the officers forced Ndubuisi to sell his laptop at Banex Plaza in Abuja to pay for his bail.
Following this revelation, Igweh ordered an investigation into the allegations.
Ondo Decide 2024: I Was Offered ₦100 Million To Collapse My Party Structure – LP Youth Leader Alleges
AFOLABI
The Labour Party (LP) youth leader in Ondo State, Hon. Samuel Boniface, has alleged that certain politicians tried to sway him with a ₦100 million offer to collapse the LP structure into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the upcoming election.
In an interview with DAILY POST, Boniface claimed he turned down the substantial offer from prominent PDP figures, stating that he was committed to his principles and would not betray his party.
He said: “As the state youth leader of the Labour Party, three weeks ago, some PDP stakeholders contacted me, asking me to collapse the Labour Party structure into their party. They asked me to name any amount from ₦100 million, but I declined because I have a goal. I have my own future. I can’t sell my conscience like that.
“I also told them that I will never betray my followers and my party. When I contested for the House of Reps in 2023, they did the same thing, but I told them that I’d rather lose the election than sell my conscience.
“They are doing everything possible to buy the structure. They are ready to offer any amount. But I strongly believe that if we stand our ground, they won’t succeed. Everyone is tired of both APC and PDP.”
Supporting LP Chairperson Remilekun Ojo, Boniface rejected recent media statements claiming that candidate Olusola Ebiseni had been disqualified by the Appeal Court.
He said, “The reports we are seeing on social media are big lies. It is so disappointing because the court had already struck out the case, and the party settled the matter out of court.”
Boniface revealed that the party plans to take legal action against media outlets that circulated the disqualification rumors.
He said, “We have decided to sue some newspapers that reported our candidate is no longer on the list. If you check the INEC portal, you will see our candidate there, so who removed him?
“With the election just two days away, such reports coming out now are disruptive, so we are suing the paper.
“Why would they claim that our candidate was removed from the race? They don’t have any evidence to support that.”
He further clarified that Festus Olorunfemi, who initially raised concerns, had formally stepped down for Ebiseni and received compensation of ₦5 million from Ebiseni and an additional ₦2 million from the National Chairman, with records and receipts to prove these transactions.
Boniface assured supporters, “I can assure you that everything is very much intact. We are not distracted by this misleading news.”
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff.
The appointment takes immediate effect.
This was made known in a statement on Friday by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
In an official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor, Audu’s appointment will help Governor Okpebholo in driving meaningful reforms in the State.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the official communication read.
Hon. Audu, born 18th August 1969, obtained an HND from Auchi Polytechnic in 1994, a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University in 2011 and an M.Sc in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja in 2024.
Hon. Audu was an elected Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010. He was elected member Edo State House of Assembly (Etsako West Constituency 1) from 2015 to 2023.
Hon. Audu was the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship elections.
Award-winning British-Nigerian presenter and actress Simi Drey has shared personal details about a past relationship that almost led to marriage.
According to her, she canceled her marriage plans with her former lover after getting engaged.
Drey disclosed this during a recent episode of the WithChude podcast.
Revealing the reason for her decision, the actress explained that she realized she wasn’t fully fulfilled or happy after getting engaged.
She, however, lamented that she faced criticism after calling off the wedding.
She said, “My ex and I didn’t have a perfect relationship. He never cheated, never was abusive. But you know when you are not 100% fulfilled or happy. We do live in a part of the world where marriage is heavily emphasized, especially for women. My parents never pressured me, but I remember my friends asking me, ‘When will you get married?’
“Eventually, he proposed. I remember having this apprehension—‘Is he really the person I am going to marry?’ I was very close to my mum. When I told her that I was engaged, she said, ‘Simi, don’t do this.’ But I told her everything is fine.
“My mom is not the type who would ever stop me from doing something or blacklist me. But she knew I wasn’t feeling whole in the relationship. I called my dad and ended the call in tears of apprehension, not joy.
“Two months later, I called my fiancé and said that we should work on our relationship first, and then maybe we can think about marriage.
“A month later, I didn’t feel I wanted to marry this man because I wanted to marry with worth. I ended the engagement with him. And I received more criticism from people around me, but I had to be truthful to myself that I wasn’t happy in the relationship.
“It was after I left that reality hit me. I realized that being single and happy is better than being married and miserable. If I do not feel respected or feel a man is superior to me because of his title or finances, it is a no.”
Are There Demons That Blind Them? – Actor, Ugezu Queries Politicians Who Speak ‘Sense’ After Leaving Office
AFOLABI
Nollywood actor, Ugezu Jideofor Ugezu, has shared his observations about Nigerian politicians while asking them an important question.
The filmmaker, in a post shared on his Instagram page, said that Nigerian politicians only speak the truth about national matters after leaving office.
Ugezu stated that he fails to understand why this pattern thrives among politicians and questioned if there are demons that blind them after being sworn into office.
He said, “There’s something in Nigerian politics that someone should please explain.WHY IS IT THAT NIGERIAN POLITICIANS WILL ONLY START TALKING SENSE ONCE THEY LEAVE OFFICE? Is it that we have demons in all the government offices that blind them once they get sworn in? Nigeria is in a mess and only sincerity in administration can salvage things.”
Meanwhile, Ugezu recently kicked against Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye’s sack as Minister of Women Affairs.
Recalls President Bola Tinubu terminated her appointment on Wednesday, October 23, alongside five other ministers in his cabinet.
In a post via his Instagram page, Ugezu frowned over Kennedy-Ohanenye’s sack, stating the former Minister was working assiduously for citizens to feel the renewed hope of Tinubu’s administration.
The movie star stated that Kennedy-Ohanenye’s sack would discourage the people who genuinely wanted to transform the country by changing the various departments.
The Federal government has confirmed the repatriation of 148 Nigerians from Niger Republic.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which made this known in a statement on Thursday said the returnees were repatriated from Niger Republic on Tuesday.
The statement said they were received by the NEMA Lagos Territorial Office (LTO), alongside other key stakeholders, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
“The returnees landed at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Cargo Terminal, at approximately 2:15 PM on Skymali flight ER-CTZ, with a total of 148 individuals,” the statement added.
According to NEMA, the repatriated Nigerians include 120 adult males, nine adult females, 10 male children, seven female children, and two infants.
“Due to heavy rain, there was a brief delay in moving the returnees from the aircraft. Once the weather cleared, officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service arrived, and the aircraft handlers provided buses to transport the returnees to the biometric registration center for documentation.
“Other stakeholders present included representatives from NCFRMI, IOM, and FAAN'' the statement noted.
The Governing Council of the Federal University, Lokoja, has approved the dismissal of four lecturers on account of examination misconduct and sexual misconduct.
Our correspondent gathered that the governing council gave the approval at its Second Council Meeting on Thursday.
This is coming on the heels of the investigation following allegations of examination malpractices and sexual harassment levelled against the lecturers last year.
The council, under the leadership of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, appreciated the university management for following due process in the investigation that followed the allegations of examination misconduct and sexual harassment against the lecturers.
Ndoma-Egba said, “The council will not tolerate any unethical conduct in the university” and urged the university to quickly process the remaining cases of misconduct pending, especially the one in the Faculty of Science that is trending in the media.
While cautioning staff members and lecturers against all forms of molestation of students, the council said no misconduct would be swept under the carpet.
It also urged the students always to speak out when they are molested.
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, the a family member of the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has endorsed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Bamidele Akingboye.
Representing the Akeredolu family, Oluwafemi Akeredolu, emphasized the importance of electing a leader with a genuine commitment to development.
Akeredolu, the younger brother of the late governor, advocated for candidates who prioritize the state’s growth and well-being.
“I am the youngest brother of the late Oluwafemi Akeredolu, same father, same mother. Our family is known for being truthful and decisive. My brother, known as ‘talk and do,’ was a dedicated APC member, but this election is not about the party,” he stated.
He criticized party politics, arguing, “Sometimes, parties pick candidates who are unfit for office. It’s time we vote for individuals based on competence, not party loyalty.”
Akeredolu highlighted Akingboye’s vision for Ondo’s underutilized resources, particularly the Ondo Seaport. He noted that the port, one of the state’s most promising assets, remains undeveloped despite its potential as a major economic driver.
“Ondo State’s seaport is one of the deepest, capable of accommodating large vessels. My brother obtained the port certificate before he passed, but progress has stalled. Now, we’re being promised that it will be handed over to a foreigner. We can’t let that happen. Ondo State needs change, and that’s why we’re endorsing SDP and Akingboye,” he emphasized.
He assured that if elected, Akingboye would begin his term by investing his own resources to advance the state, declaring, “Akingboye will start spending his personal funds on the state immediately. This is a leader who has a vision for the people, not just for himself.”
Naija News understands that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who took over after Akeredolu’s death, is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Federal Government on Thursday approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for 2025 – 2027 and Fiscal Strategy Paper.
According to the MTEF, the proposed 2025 budget size is N47.9tn, with new borrowings of N9.22tn, the Minister of the Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, told State House Correspondents after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Bagudu announced, “The Federal Executive Council approved a memorandum by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which was presented by the Director-General of the Budget Office [Mr Tanimu Yakubu] on the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025 – 2027.”
The disclosure comes after weeks of delay as President Bola Tinubu prepares to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, his second since assuming office in May 2023.
The MTEF, a critical tool the FG uses to outline its fiscal strategy over three years, establishes macroeconomic assumptions and targets that guide national budgeting. It also includes projections of key economic variables such as oil prices, exchange rates, inflation, and growth rates.
For the 2025-2027 period, the MTEF sets out parameters, including an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel, an oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day, an exchange rate of N1,400 to the US dollar, and a GDP growth rate of 4.6 per cent.
The FG’s projected aggregate expenditure for 2025 is N47.9tn, with planned borrowing of N13.8tn, equating to 3.87 per cent of GDP.
The minister explained, “For the 2025-2027 period, the MTEF sets out parameters including an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel for 2025, oil production of 2.06 million barrels a day, as well as an exchange rate of N1400 to the dollar and GDP growth of 4.6 per cent.
“It is expected that for 2025, the Federal Government’s budget estimate, the aggregate expenditure is estimated at N47tn, and this includes a borrowing of N13.8tn, which is 3.87 per cent of the estimated GDP.
“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEF is N47.9tn with new borrowings of N9.22tn to finance the budget deficit in 2025 as well as noting that we need to sustain the commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.”
“The figures were only for 2025, even though there are projections for 2026 and 2027 in the document, which have different figures for the oil price benchmark for the two years,” he added.
Bagudu said Thursday’s memorandum sought the council’s endorsement of the MTEF for submission to the National Assembly, a requirement under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.
The MTEF begins with a macroeconomic overview. It notes that despite global economic challenges, the Nigerian economy is on a positive trajectory, showing two consecutive quarters of growth, with a 3.19 per cent increase in real terms in the second quarter of 2024, the budget minister explained.
However, he acknowledged the need to combat inflation, strengthen economic resilience, support vulnerable populations, bolster high-employment sectors, improve the business climate, and effectively implement youth and social investment programmes.
He revealed that the framework, alongside the FSP, also includes a review of the 2024 budget implementation, highlighting progress in revenue collection and expenditure management, though some targets have fallen short. The report also shows that non-oil revenue streams outperform expectations, Bagudu said.
On the 2024 budget performance, he said, “Actual spending as of August 2024 ending was N16.98tn as against the prorated spending target of N23.37tn at the end.
“Of this amount, N7.41tn was for debt service, and N3.7tn for personnel costs including pension. Further, N3.65tn has been released for capital projects. Most of the delays for capital project release have been earlier legacy issues, in the sense that the new procedure for upload requires a lot of capacity building and delayed uploads.”
N28.75tn was earmarked for the 2024 budget. However, it grew to N35.6tn after amendments by the National Assembly added N6.2tn to the pile.
Responding to queries from journalists, the budget minister said the MTEF would reach the National Assembly on Monday, November 18.
“We are submitting it, I believe, tomorrow [Friday] or, at the latest, on Monday. The office of Mr President will forward the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper to the National Assembly,” he stated.
The minister also argued that despite the late approval for the MTEF, the FG will maintain the January-December budget implementation cycle.
He affirmed, “We are confident because we have built a respectable relationship with the National Assembly. We have narrowed the areas of misunderstanding. And because of that mutual respect, Mr President is very transparent with the National Assembly leadership. And the National Assembly appreciates that openness.
“He [President] has instructed all his teams to ensure we cooperate with the National Assembly. For instance, the team led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy has been mandated not only to wait but also to engage the National Assembly and answer all questions at the committee hearings.
“So, I’m confident because of this combination of factors. With this cooperation, I believe we’ll see an expeditious consideration, and immediately we are aware of the approval, we will finalise the budget because the MTEF precedes the budget preparation.”
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it has not stopped the importation of petroleum products into the country.
NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Soneye said the state-owned petroleum company would still source for products from outside the country when there is a need for that.
Soneye confirmed that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, said at the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists conference that the company is not importing fuel anymore but taking from local refineries.
While saying Kyari’s statement was correctly quoted in the news report, Soneye said the GCEO, who spoke extempore for several minutes, was misinterpreted.
He said, “The GCEO’s statement, ’Today, NNPC does not import any product; we are only taking from domestic refineries’, should not be construed to imply that NNPC Ltd is obligated to be the sole off-taker of any refinery or that we will no longer import fuel. While NNPC prioritises sourcing products from domestic refineries, this is contingent upon economic viability. If local supply is cost-effective, it will be preferred, but the same principle applies to other marketers, who will also evaluate total costs when deciding whether to buy locally or import.”
According to Soneye, economic viability will guide NNPC Ltd in its decisions on whether to source refined petroleum from local refineries or import, noting that Kyari has not announced the end of fuel importation.
He added, “It is also essential to note that the authority to grant import licenses resides with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act. NNPC Ltd does not have control over more than 30 per cent of the market, as stipulated by the PIA, which aims to prevent monopolies.
“The law promotes a free-market system where competition drives efficiency and cost reduction, ensuring that consumers benefit. Domestic refiners must compete on price and value, as patronage cannot be legislated in a deregulated sector.”
He commended the newspaper for accurately reporting that NNPC Ltd was making significant investments in Compressed Natural Gas infrastructure as part of its broader energy security and affordability initiatives.
While speaking at the conference on Monday, Kyari said, “There are too many claimants out there, that the NNPC does not want to sell crude to the refinery in naira as a form of sabotage. Far from it! It makes no difference to us because if you sell crude to the domestic refinery in naira and you buy the product in naira from the domestic refinery, it’s a net zero gain. You lose nothing, you probably gain nothing. Otherwise, whatever you do, you still have to source foreign exchange to import if you have to import. So, if you stop the import and sell in naira, what you are simply doing is just a substitution. It’s a settlement platform and we must commend the President for bringing this initiative.
“What it will do to our country is that the biggest source of FX pressure in our country is the import of PMS. It’s the highest value. That means if you can take that under control, it means that speculation around the naira to the extent of those FX that is required for domestic product supply will be eliminated. That means speculation will go, you would have controlled inflation, and you would have controlled the FX pressure because you would have settled the exchange rate for 50 per cent of your imports. This is a very great initiative. I should commend the President for bringing this initiative,“ he stressed.
In a final push ahead of Saturday’s election in Ondo State, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that the election is a litmus test for Nigerians to demonstrate that their hunger and anger can lead to real change.
He stressed that it is incumbent on the people of Ondo State to turn out in large numbers on Saturday to make a bold statement about their desire for good governance.
According to a newsletter released on Thursday night, titled “It’s Time to Make a Bold Statement,” the Oyo governor said that those who value good governance should vote for the Peoples Democratic Party in the election.
Makinde argued that the PDP is the party that can rescue Nigeria and lift it out of its current economic challenges. He pointed out that evidence from PDP-governed states shows the party’s ability to deliver the development needed across the country.
“Let me begin by encouraging everyone in Ondo State to come out this Saturday and make a bold statement in the Ondo State elections. Let all supporters of good governance stand up and say enough of the APC and its lack of people-centred policies. It is time for Nigerians to rally behind the PDP as the party that can help Nigeria overcome the economic challenges it faces.
“I want to remind you that Ondo State is a litmus test for Nigerians to show that their hunger and anger can bring about real change. Tell everyone you know that the PDP is the party that can rescue Nigeria. If you are still undecided, look at all the efforts being made by PDP governors for their people. Just yesterday, we presented our Budget of Economic Stabilisation.
“As always, it was a people-first budget. Based on data from previous years, there is a 7:10 chance of us successfully implementing the items in the budget. So, the people of Oyo State can expect more infrastructure development, more educational projects, and greater economic progress.
“In conclusion, economically, we look forward to better times in 2025. We just have to keep pushing and making the right decisions in the overall interest of our people and our nation,” Makinde stated.
United Bank for Africa Plc has issued 6,839,884,274 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N35 per share in a rights issue to raise N239.4bn in a bid to meet the fresh capital requirements of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The rights issue which opened on Friday (today) allows existing shareholders to purchase one new ordinary share for every five existing ordinary shares held by shareholders as of November 05, 2024.
In late March, the CBN announced an upward review of the minimum capital requirement for banks in the country.
In a letter to the shareholders informing them of the rights issue, the Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu, noted that following the resolution of the Group’s shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held in May 2024, authorising the establishment of the N400bn Equity Shelf Programme, UBA will embark on a Rights Issue, as the first step in its broader capital raising programme.
“UBA’s Rights Issue aims to raise N239.4bn, through the issuance of new ordinary shares to our shareholders. The primary objective of this rights Issue is to further strengthen our capacity to take advantage of growth opportunities and sustain our leadership in the banking industry,” Elumelu said in the letter.
On the use of proceeds, Elumelu noted that, beyond regulatory compliance, the funds will expand the Group’s lending capacity, invest in digital infrastructure, support sustainable business practices, and expand the group’s African operations.
Elumelu also highlighted how UBA is driving economic growth across Africa, saying “Our historic partnership with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, where UBA pledged up to $6bn in financing over the next three years to support eligible SMEs across Africa underscores our commitment to fostering economic development.”
It was revealed that application for the provisional allotment of the Rights to the new ordinary Shares will be made exclusively through the NGX e-offer portal, during the offer period, while existing shareholders may also apply for additional shares above their provisional allotment as described in the Provisional Allotment Letter. Shareholders who are customers of the Bank are also encouraged to access their Rights through UBA’s internet banking and mobile banking channels.
At the end of the third quarter, the gross earnings of UBA appreciated by 83.2 per cent year-on-year to N2.39tn from N1.31tn in the same period of 2023. Its profit before tax went up by 20.2 per cent to N603.48bn from N502.09bn in Q3 2023, while profit after tax also rose by 16.9 per cent to N525.31bn from N449.26bn recorded a year earlier.
The lender’s total assets rose to N31.80tn, representing a 54.0 per cent increase over the N20.65tn recorded at the end of December 2023.
In the 2023/2024 report year, UBA won ‘Bank of the Year’ awards in eight of its subsidiaries – Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Republic of Congo; Sierra Leone; Tanzania, as well as the Regional Award for Africa and in 2024 has won World Best Frontier Markets Bank and Best SME Bank Africa.
UBA Plc offers banking services to more than 45 million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries.
Emeka Anyaoku, former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, says the 1999 constitution cannot address the nation’s socio-economic challenges.
Anyaoku spoke on Wednesday in Lagos at the launch of the book titled, ‘The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus’, an autobiography by Akinjide Osuntokun, a professor of history and former ambassador to Germany.
The elder statesman argued that the current constitution has failed to accommodate Nigeria’s diverse population and, as a result, impedes national progress.
He emphasised the country’s diversity, asserting that Nigeria’s pluralistic society—comprising distinct groups with varied histories, cultures, languages, and religions—requires a constitution that promotes unity and inclusivity.
“To those who think that the trouble with Nigeria today is the political leadership, I would say that as long as we have the 1999 constitution as our grundnorm, not even Angel Gabriel or Malaikah Jibrin as leaders can successfully tackle the divisiveness, the underperforming economy with the resultant poverty, insecurity, humongous corruption, and the other major challenges currently facing Nigeria,” Anyaoku said.
“The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries which have survived as single political entities in unity and progress are those that addressed their pluralism, that is their diversity, with genuine federal constitutions. Examples of such countries are India, Canada and Switzerland.
“I believe, therefore, that if our pluralistic Nigeria is to achieve true unity and political stability, and to successfully tackle the serious challenges that the country currently faces, it must have a truly federal constitution.
“The divisiveness, the underperforming economy with the resultant massive poverty, the insecurity, the humongous corruption and the other major challenges currently facing Nigeria — my warning, therefore, is that for the sake of preserving our country, the federal government and national assembly should not delay any longer in acting to what is clearly a universal lesson.”
He stressed that a return to the principles underpinning Nigeria’s 1960/1963 constitution, which he believes was negotiated by the country’s founding fathers and better accommodated its diversity, would be crucial for the nation’s future.
Anyaoku noted that after the 1960 constitution was implemented, Nigeria experienced greater unity, stability, and development — until the military takeover in 1966, which introduced a unitary system that has persisted in various forms to the present day.
“We must have a true Nigerian peoples democratic constitution based on the principles that underlie our 1960/63 constitution which was painstakingly negotiated and agreed by the founding fathers of independent Nigeria,” he added.
“As many of us in this room will remember, Nigeria was more united, stable, and developing towards achieving its potential after that constitution until the military intervened in governance in January 1966 and introduced a unitary constitution that has virtually existed, albeit in different forms, until today.”
Under the 1960 constitution, Nigeria had three regional governments with significant autonomy, a bicameral legislature and a parliamentary system.
It was subsequently replaced by the 1979 constitution, and later 1999 constitution.