Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Wednesday, urged Nigeria to abandon the 1999 Constitution, asserting that the document impedes the nation’s progress.
Speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Victoria Island, Lagos, Anyaoku underscored that Nigeria, as a diverse and complex society, requires a constitution that genuinely embraces federalism to address its multifaceted challenges.
He warned, “To those who think that the trouble with Nigeria today is the political leadership, I would say that as long as we have the 1999 Constitution as our grundnorm, not even Angel Gabriel or Malaikah Jibrin as leaders can successfully tackle the divisiveness, the underperforming economy with the resultant poverty, the insecurity, the humongous corruption, and the other major challenges currently facing Nigeria.”
Anyaoku made these remarks during the launch of a biography titled, ‘The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun’
. The book chronicles the life and career of the respected scholar and diplomat, highlighting Osuntokun’s remarkable contributions to academia and Nigeria’s foreign relations.
Anyaoku, who chaired the event, lauded the professor not only for his intellectual legacy but also for his patriotic service, recalling Osuntokun’s support during his campaign for the Commonwealth Secretary-General role, a race against Australia’s former Prime Minister.
Expanding on his call for constitutional reform, Anyaoku pointed to successful pluralistic nations like India, Canada, and Switzerland as examples Nigeria should emulate.
“The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries which have survived as single political entities in unity and progress are those that addressed their pluralism, that is, their diversity, with genuine federal constitutions,” he stated. “I believe, therefore, that if our pluralistic Nigeria is to achieve true unity and political stability, and to successfully tackle the serious challenges that the country currently faces, it must have a truly federal constitution.”
The biography of Professor Osuntokun, reviewed by former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, explores Osuntokun’s life from his family lineage to his academic accomplishments.
Fayemi detailed the genesis of the project, conceived in 2018 after Osuntokun’s tenure as Pro-Chancellor at Ekiti State University. Authorized by Osuntokun in 2021, the book was based on extensive interviews and personal archives.
The biography sheds light on Osuntokun’s roots in Oke-Mesi, tracing his ancestors’ resilience through events like the Kiriji War and the First World War.
Fayemi noted, “The chapter covered in great detail the struggles, his bold forbearance waged in the course of establishing a clan in Oke-Mesi and their involvement in the federating military of Ekiti and Ijesa against the rampaging Ibadan army in the Kiriji war.” This legacy of bravery and commitment, Fayemi explained, shaped the values that Osuntokun embodies.
Also present at the launch, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, commended Osuntokun as a mentor and lamented Nigeria’s culture of honoring individuals who contribute little to nation-building.
“We are choosing the least among us to be our role models. And that is destroying our society,” Obi remarked, contrasting Nigeria’s rewards for mediocrity with the dedication seen in Osuntokun’s generation.
The book’s unveiling was led by Tunde Bakare, pastor of Citadel Global Community Church, who expressed gratitude for Osuntokun’s support during his university days.
Bakare stated, “He and his late wife were a blessing to me at one of the most critical periods of my life,” underscoring the professor’s profound impact on his personal journey.
Among the distinguished guests were prominent figures such as First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Wahab Alawiye, and Lagos State’s Information Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso. Other notable attendees included journalist Reuben Abati, editorial board chairman Sam Omatseye, and Labour Party’s Lagos gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
The gathering at the NIIA not only celebrated Osuntokun’s enduring influence but also echoed calls for a restructured Nigeria, as advocates like Anyaoku envision a new constitutional path that would fully embrace and unify Nigeria’s diverse landscape.
