Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has asserted that Nigeria’s survival in the face of the ongoing security crisis hinges on a comprehensive restructuring and the enactment of a new constitution.
Speaking at a press conference held in his Lagos office, Agbakoba emphasized the inadequacy of Nigeria’s current governance structures, highlighting the urgent need for strengthening through robust laws and policies.
Agbakoba stressed the necessity of addressing critical questions about the unity of the country, stating, “People can not continue to assume that the component units in the country want to stay together without asking themselves the important questions of, ‘Do we want to be one? If the answer is yes, how will we do so?'”
Advocating for substantial legislative and executive actions to formulate a new constitution, Agbakoba linked the success of President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious goal to grow Nigeria’s GDP to €0.92 trillion in 7 years with the need for massive legislation and a redefined constitution.
The legal luminary urged the National Assembly to adopt the recommendations of the late Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, specifically invoking section 41 and section 44 of the Constitution to provide the nation with a constitution that all can embrace.
Agbakoba proposed a pragmatic approach to expedite the process, suggesting that the National Assembly detach the schedule from the existing Act and replace it with the new Constitution. He argued that this streamlined approach would prevent repetitive discussions on the same issue with each new Assembly, fostering economic and political progress.
Critiquing the fragility of Nigeria’s government structure, Agbakoba called for a solid foundation, likening governance to a building that requires a new foundation for development. He underscored that a country grappling with a weak government structure for 23 years cannot be considered a serious nation.
Regarding the prevailing insecurity challenges, Agbakoba dismissed military solutions as ineffective, referencing historical examples and advocating for an alternative resolution strategy. He proposed the inclusion of traditional rulers in the drafting of a new constitution, citing their pivotal role in providing political peace for national development.
Expressing concern over the state of the judiciary, Agbakoba urged the National Assembly to intervene and break what he termed “the mafia in the Supreme Court.” He recommended legislation allowing appointments to the Supreme Court from the Bench, the Bar, and the academia to ensure a diverse and competent judiciary.
In addition, Agbakoba called for the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and urged the 10th National Assembly, led by Senate President Akpabio, to enact the recommendations of the Uwais Panel for comprehensive electoral reforms.
