As the state governors of the 36 states of Nigeria deliberated on the issue of devolution of powers during the 13th edition of the governors forum, a public affair analyst, lawyer and chairman; editorial board of the National Daily newspapers said the amendment of the constitution is not supposed to be swung into the direction its heading to and for him, he has never believed in the amendment of the constitution, rather he believes in the review of the constitution.
“This is not the way it should be, the amendment of the constitution, i have never believed in the amendment of the constitution anyway”.
“I believe in the review of the constitution, not in the amendment because when you amend the constitution, there are a few sections that are antithetical to democratic principles maybe in one or two sections, no problem, but when you review a constitution, it’s like giving a brand new constitution to the body politic.”
The public affairs analyst said further that he has always preached for the review of the 1999 constitution because the constitution in totality because it is full of inconsistencies and being the yardstick of the fundamental law of the country, but until changed Nigerians have to respect it because it what binds the country together even though it leaves a sour teat in the mouth.
“That’s what i have always preached because the constitution is an amalgam ranked inconsistencies and there is no time to tell you which sections of the constitution are bad, the whole thing is entirely bad”.
“I respect it because this the fundamental law of the land and until is changed, this is document that binds all of us together, so we have to respect it, but having said that there’s a lot to be desired, it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth”.
He said he is ‘hand in gloves’ with governors because the national assembly has posited itself to have local government share equal power level with the states, making the local governments federating units just like federal and state governments which has never been heard of.
Chris Akiri appeared who appeared as a guest on Sunrise Daily said the Local government is an appendage of the state government and it is not supposed to be autonomous and also subject to the sovereignty of the state government and he feels that the move will lead to a conflict in power.
