Wole Olanipekun Urges Halt to 1999 Constitution Amendments, Calls for New People-Centered Charter
Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has called on the National Assembly to suspend all ongoing and future amendments to the 1999 Constitution, saying what the nation needs is not another round of patchwork reform but a completely new, homegrown constitution that reflects the collective will of Nigerians. Delivering the 13th Convocation Lecture of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), on Monday, titled “Nigeria Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Imperative of a Sober and Definitive Recalibration,” Olanipekun said the current constitution, which he described as a “military albatross,” had outlived its usefulness and legitimacy. He argued that the 1999 Constitution was imposed without consultation or consent, concentrating power at the centre and perpetuating inequality among the federating units. According to him, Nigeria’s foundational problems stem from its faulty constitutional structure, which emasculates the states and weakens federalism. “The National Assembly should, for the time being, stay action on the ongoing amendment or any further amendment to the 1999 Constitution,” he said. “This constitution needs a complete overhaul, a substitution altogether. It has to be a negotiated document that will pave the way for a new social order.” Olanipekun proposed a transitional phase lasting until 2031 to allow Nigeria to harmonize past constitutional efforts, including reports from various national conferences and restructuring committees. He suggested that during the period, elections would continue as usual, but with a clear understanding that a new constitution would take effect by May 29, 2031. He also called for a national referendum to determine the shape and structure of Nigeria’s governance, insisting that sovereignty lies with the people, as enshrined in Section 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution. “It is the referendum, not the National Assembly, that will decide whether Nigeria needs a National Assembly at all, and if yes, whether full or part-time,” he emphasized. On the state of Nigerian politics, Olanipekun cautioned against the rampant defection culture among politicians, warning that frequent “cross-carpeting” would ultimately lead to instability. He urged fidelity to party ideology, programmes, and manifestos, describing political party membership as a “serious business,” not a “tea party or picnic.” Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his political consistency and refusal to defect during opposition years, Olanipekun said Tinubu’s resilience exemplified ideological commitment. He also lauded the president for reintroducing the old national anthem, describing it as a unifying step toward national recalibration. He further urged a reconfiguration of Nigeria’s federal system, arguing that states — not the Federal Government — should take charge of determining the country’s governance framework. “It is not the more the merrier,” he said, warning that creating more states only weakens the federating units and strengthens the centre. In his closing remarks, Afe Babalola, SAN, founder and chancellor of ABUAD, praised Olanipekun for delivering a “well-researched” and visionary lecture, aligning with his long-held belief that Nigeria must adopt a new constitution to achieve sustainable growth and true nationhood.
