Francis Ugwoke
3 January 2009
Enugu — National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh at the weekend, said President Musa Yar'adua should consider the preponderant view being expressed by many Nigerians for a new Constitution as part of the efforts to bequeath an enduring democracy.
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu, Umeh said such a constitution should be produced through a constitutional conference, adding that a new law was important since it remains the main framework through which democracy operates.
He argued that since a faulty constitution will surely bequeath a faulty democracy as has been the problem in the country, there was the need to take the issue of constitution very seriously so that Nigeria can be put on track as enjoying a true democracy.
"The constitution is the main framework upon which democracy operates. A faulty constitution will definitely bequeath faulty democracy like we presently have in Nigeria today. It is therefore important to take the issue of the constitution very seriously for us to be able to put Nigeria on the track to having true democracy," he said.
He opined that if the issue of a new constitution is passionately pursued and carried out, Nigeria would be a better place, adding that this will in turn address all the economic and political problems facing the country.
According to him, it is only the enthronement of a true democracy that Nigerians will be in a position to enjoy the freedom of choice of leaders through "credible, free and fair elections".
Umeh was of the view that failure of the country to achieve the desired constitutional and economic reforms this year, "the doomsday will be on hand sooner than later".
He pointed out that it was very unfortunate that as a result of Nigeria's failure to tackle essential reforms she has surrendered the leadership of Africa to South Africa and Ghana which have strengthened their democracy, stating that such situation was sad considering the nation's enormous resources.
He added, "because Ghana and South Africa have achieved stable democracy, these two countries have succeeded in having a good run in all aspects of development. It will therefore be wishful thinking if we think that Nigeria will experience progress without first laying the necessary foundation through these imperative reforms".
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EVERY 4 YEARS A NEW CONSTITUTION. SAME AS WHEN THE MILITARY CAME TO POWER. SOON YOU HAVE NOTHING THAT MEANS ANYTHING TO THE 140 MILLION PEOPLE OF NIGERIA. WHEN WILL THE GROWNUPS COME TO POWER? THE CONSTITUTION IS THE BACKBONE OF A COUNTRY. SOMETHING THAT MUST NEVER BE CHANGE, EVERY TIME SOMEONE GETS A NEW IDEA AND WANTS TO CHANGE IT FOR THEY OWN SELVES, NOT FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIANS. I, AS AN AMERICAN FEEL VERY SORRY FOR ONE OF THE "COULD BE" A GREAT COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. "YOU MAKE LAWS ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION NOT THE CONSTITUTION ACCORDING TO YOUR LAWS". TONY