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Tinubu Should Act On Calls For New Constitution -Anyaoku
Chief Emeka Anyaoku has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently listen to calls for a new people-oriented constitution and set modalities in place to achieve it.
Anyaoku, a former Secretary-General of Commonwealth, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, yesterday.
The Patriots, a nonpartisan group of leaders of thought in Nigeria, had earlier called for the convening of a national constituent assembly to help draft a new constitution for the country.
The group, led by Anyaoku, had urged Tinubu to immediately send an executive bill to the National Assembly to that effect.
Tinubu had assured the group that their request would be looked into as soon as he was done with economic reforms.
Anyaoku told newsmen that a new people’s constitution was necessary owing to glaring imperfections in the 1999 Constitution.
“The 1999 constitution even as amended lacks the legitimacy that can only be conferred on a constitution democratically made by the people of Nigeria.
“We must, therefore ,have a new legitimate constitution that will give us a different governance system that can tackle more effectively the myriad challenges currently threatening the integrity of our country.
“In my view, the new constitution should be made by a constituent assembly of persons to be democratically elected on non political party basis of three each from the existing 36 States and one from the FCT.”he said.
The elder statesman said deliberations on the new constitution should take into consideration the 1960 and 1963 constitutions as well as the recommendations of the 2014 national conference.
He said the draft constitution emanating from the constituent assembly should be subjected to a national referendum for approval.
The elder statesman said ,this way, the document would have the legitimacy to qualify it as a citizens’ constitution.
Anyaokwu said a new people’s constitution will be the first to democratically made, suited for the needs of a pluralistic country.
“First, our country, Nigeria is a pluralistic country; a country of groups of people with diverse cultures, languages and religions who had lived in their separate geographical areas for generations.
“This was before their man-made amalgamation into one political entity called Nigeria. The country from its inception has, therefore, faced the challenge of how to manage its diversity.
“The second incontestable fact is that, as of today, the Nigerian project under its present constitution is clearly not working.
“Nigerians are today assailed by “high cost of living, crude oil theft, food inflation, insecurity, corruption, divestments by multinational oil corporations.
“Others are the flight of capital to other countries, the unabating spread of a culture of hate in the country, poor governance and bad politics
“The high hopes for the future that prevailed among the citizens, especially the youth, in the immediate years after independence are no longer there.
“In those years Nigerians travelled abroad mainly in search of education and improvement of skills.
“But now many Nigerian youths and professionals seek opportunities to go abroad to pursue self fulfillment. The increasingly popular word “Japa” did not exist in those days.
“I dare say that unless a bold and courageous remedial action is taken now to give the country a new constitution, the Nigerian project will continue to totter towards an eventual collapse,” he said.
Anyaoku said like Nigeria, there were other countries that had faced the challenge of how to manage their diversity.
The elder statesman noted that some of such countries which failed to address their diversity had disintegrated.
Anyaoku recalled how Yugoslavia broke into eight independent states after over 100 years of existence as one country and how Czechoslovakia separated into two countries after existing for 100 years as one country.
He added that Sudan, nearer home, broke into two independent countries after existing for about 3,000 years as one country.
Anyaoku, however said other pluralistic countries which consciously addressed their diversity had succeeded in remaining individual united countries.
He said examples were Switzerland, with its unique constitution, Canada and India with their truly federal constitutions.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.