Former Minister Calls for Fresh Constitution Rooted in Equity, Justice
By Rafiyat Sadiq
Former Minister of Education and Chief Executive Officer of Human Capital Africa, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has described the ongoing constitutional amendment exercise by the National Assembly as a “charade” and a sheer waste of public resources.
Ezekwesili made the remarks on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the 7th anniversary and annual lecture of Penpushing Media, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking on the theme “Reworking Nigeria’s Federalism: Perspectives on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism”, Ezekwesili stated that merely amending the existing constitution will neither resolve the deep-rooted structural imbalances in the country nor reflect the aspirations of its diverse population.
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“The ongoing constitutional amendment cannot work; it cannot address our problem; it is a charade and a sheer waste of resources,” she declared. “The demand for a new constitution is a matter of life and death.”
Drawing an analogy, she said, “When an engineer tells you a building’s foundation is defective, you don’t just patch it—you bring it down. Nation-building works the same way. This expensive charade by the National Assembly will take us nowhere.”
She criticised lawmakers for ignoring popular calls for a new, people-driven constitution, noting that true federalism can only thrive under a foundational legal document that prioritises justice, equity, devolution of powers, and fairness to all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or background.
Call for Responsible Governance and Restructuring
Ezekwesili, who also serves as a Senior Economic Advisor at the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AWEDPI), decried the current state of the political system, describing it as one that has been hijacked and turned into a “criminal enterprise gang”.
She urged Nigerians to push for a more transparent and inclusive governance structure, arguing that good governance is not elusive and can be achieved with strong political will and citizen engagement.
Also speaking at the event, the chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Sarafa Ishola, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, called for sincere commitment to restructuring. He said restructuring should not be seen as a sectional agenda but as a strategic solution for national renewal.
Ambassador Ishola emphasised the need for institutional clarity, citizen accountability, and budgetary fairness as core pillars of true federalism.
Earlier in his welcome address, the founder of Penpushing Media, Mr Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, said the annual lecture series was initiated to promote national discourse on issues that strengthen democracy and unity.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
