Emeka Anyaoku, the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, has expressed concern that the existing Nigerian constitution lacks the necessary provisions to effectively tackle the nation’s economic woes and other pressing challenges.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday at his residence in Obosi village, located in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr. Anyaoku highlighted the gravity of the issues confronting the nation.
Anyaoku pointed out that challenges such as poverty, insecurity, and deteriorating infrastructure pose significant obstacles to Nigeria’s development and stability.
“I am on record for saying that these challenges can not be effectively addressed under the constitution and governance system we have at the moment.
“We can not effectively address these challenges that have assumed nationwide dimension especially insecurity which has parveded the Northern part of the country and other communities,” he said.
He emphasized that the present constitution deviates from the one negotiated and agreed upon by the nation’s founding fathers.
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“The constitution for a pluralistic state as Nigeria, we have to return to those principles of the constitution as earlier agreed by our founding fathers.
“Until we do that, I am afraid that we can not effectively deal with the challenges facing the nation,” he added.
When asked about the Monday sit-at-home observed in the South-East region and the negative effects on the economy, the elder statesman said that the sit-at-home was causing great damage to the economy of the country.
“The sit-at-home at home is doing great damage to the economy of the South East region, I do not support the idea, I think it is doing great damage to the economy. We have to deal with the root cause of the sit-at-home, which is the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
“Not withstanding the fact that the court of law had ordered his release, that word gives those who advocate and participate in sit-at-home the reason for doing so.
“I think that the cause of the sit-at-home should be addressed, I do not think that the sit-at-home should be maintained, it should be stopped,” Anyaoku suggested.
During the Ito-Ogoto traditional event, which is celebrated every three years in the community, he noted that individuals reaching the age of 80 were honored with a celebration.
He further emphasized that Igbo culture places great value on age, as it is believed to be synonymous with wisdom.
(NAN)