Amendment of 1999 Constitution is a futile exercise – Afe Babalola

Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) has suggested that the National Assembly finds ways to reenact the 1963 Constitution, as opposed to amending the 1999 Constitution.

He called the amendment of the 1999 constitution a ‘futile exercise’, stating that the amendment would not solve Nigeria’s problems. Babalola said this in a statement he signed in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

The senior advocate said the only constitution that could make a difference remained the 1963 constitution.

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He said, “Against the background of the massive demand by Nigerians at home and abroad for a true Federal constitution made by the people and for the people, the national assembly is calling for Public Hearing in the country’s six Geo-political Zones for people’s inputs on any issue of interest to enable it amend the 1999 constitution, but I have reservations on this.

“To me, the proposed amendment to the 1999 constitution by the national assembly: whichever way you look at it, is a futile exercise.

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“We all know that previous sessions of national assembly made laws to convene a national conference.

“I, therefore, advise that the current national assembly should call for a national conference to discuss and make a new, true Federal constitution which will provide for a Parliamentary system of government,” he said.

“It is common knowledge that the 1999 constitution was made by the military, which in its wisdom, claimed that it was made by the people.

“The said constitution says, among other things, that: “We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having firmly and solemnly resolved…do hereby make and give to ourselves the following….” Of course, this claim is false.

“The truth is that there is no way the national assembly can amend the 1999 constitution to cure inherent defects in the 1999 constitution.”