Former Minister of Education and CEO of Human Capital Africa, Oby Ezekwesili, has criticized the National Assembly’s ongoing constitutional amendment efforts, describing the process as a “charade” and a “waste of public resources.”
Delivering a keynote address at the 7th Penpushing Anniversary and Annual Lecture in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, Ezekwesili argued that Nigeria’s constitutional framework cannot be salvaged through amendments.
Her speech, titled “Reworking Nigeria’s Federalism: Perspectives on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism,” called instead for an entirely new constitution shaped by the will of the Nigerian people.
According to her, the country’s political space, like much of Africa’s, has been hijacked by a “criminal enterprise gang” that manipulates governance for personal gain, leaving the majority of citizens trapped in poverty, insecurity, and poor leadership.
“The current constitution lacks legitimacy. It was not created by the people, and it cannot be amended into justice. What the National Assembly is doing is simply theatre, an expensive one,” she said.
Ezekwesili emphasized that genuine restructuring and fiscal federalism are essential for tackling Nigeria’s worsening challenges, including agitations for secession, insecurity, economic stagnation, and social injustice.
“The call for a new constitution is not political rhetori, it is a matter of survival for this nation,” she added.
She maintained that only a truly people-driven constitution, one that devolves power, promotes equity, and reflects Nigeria’s ethnic and regional diversity, can lay the foundation for sustainable governance.
