Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah has told Nigerians not to expect eldorado from the Nigerian 1999 Constitution.
Attah spoke on Tuesday at the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria National Conference organized in collaboration with the Polish Government in Abuja.
According to him, the Nigerian Constitution will not bring to Nigerians expected transformation and growth because it lacks true federalism.
Attah who doubles as the Chairman of the Conference noted that only true federalism can take Nigeria out of the woods.
“From the 2023 Record of Proceedings of your National Conference & Summit, I read where it was said that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) is a good document that can lead our country to the expected eldorado.
“Those of you who have listened to some of my television interviews or read some of my published articles will know that I totally and completely disagree with the statement.
“The first major problem that you identified was the installation, by the military regime, of a command structure that DEFILED Nigeria’s federalism installed from 1954.
“That defilement was carried over into the 1999 constitution and that, by destroying the foundation of federalism on which the country was built, has in my honest opinion remained our biggest drawback to good governance, accountability, inclusiveness, productivity and development,” he said.
His comment comes as Nigerians grapple with high inflation at 32.70 percent and worsening cost of living.
This comes as the National Chairman and Director General of the Forum, Chris Akomas, and Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, the Director-General, urged Nigerians to chart a part that will bring about a desired change.
Akomas said, “As leaders and citizens committed to our nation’s progress; we must chart a course that leads to effective and efficient governance, ensure food security, invest to drastically reduce poverty and hunger, eliminate insecurity, and ensure sustainable economic development.”
On his part, Ibe-Kalu explained that the Forum was designed to address the challenges Nigerians face.
“Why do we do this? Because the Forum identified some gap needs and we are in a hurry to fill them in other to pass a banner without stain to our next generation,” Ibe-Kalu said.
