In a candid address on Saturday, Chief Bisi Akande, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-governor of Osun State, passionately called on the National Assembly to discard the 1999 Constitution and instead adopt the 1960 Constitution for the advancement of Nigeria.
Speaking ahead of his 85th birthday celebration, Bisi Akande emphasized that the restructuring of the country hinges on abandoning the 1999 constitution, which he asserted was not authored by any identifiable entity. According to him, the National Assembly must reevaluate its path and revert to the principles laid out in the 1960 constitution.
Bisi Akande highlighted the merits of the 1960 constitution, pointing out that it treated political roles as part-time endeavors. In those days, members of the national and state assemblies pursued their respective professions—be it farming, law, or medicine—until it was time for official meetings.
The compensation was in the form of a sitting allowance, reinforcing the notion that public service was a civic duty.
The APC stalwart lamented the departure from this model, attributing the shift to the military’s intervention. He criticized the introduction of monetary rewards and extravagant spending in politics, which, according to him, has had detrimental effects on the nation.
“The military, because they wanted to stay permanently in power, they started using money to pay them (assembly) salary, and everybody left their job to become a politician,” Akande declared. He expressed concern over the transformation of politicians into materialistic figures, driven by a departure from ethical practices.
Read also: Police Intensify Rescue Operations Over Abduction, Killing of Abuja Sisters
In a stern warning, Akande asserted that a meaningful progress in the country necessitates retracing steps. He urged the National Assembly to prioritize a return to the values embodied in the 1960 constitution, suggesting that the document could be adjusted to align with contemporary realities.
As the debate on restructuring persists, Akande’s call for a constitutional shift echoes the sentiments of those advocating for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s governance framework, emphasizing the need to discard the present constitution in favor of one rooted in the nation’s early years.
