Nigeria’s Future at a Crossroads: Powerful Coalition Demands New Constitution to Heal Divided Nation

By iNewsAfrica Staff Writer | July 17, 2025

Abuja, Nigeria— In an unprecedented show of unity, a powerful assembly of national icons—led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Akwa Ibom State Governor Victor Attah, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF)—has called for the urgent drafting of a new people-driven constitution to rescue Nigeria from deepening political and structural decay.

At a high-level national dialogue held in Abuja, the coalition—which also included eminent jurists, regional leaders, civil society advocates, and faith-based groups—condemned the 1999 Constitution as “military-imposed” and unfit for the demands of a plural, democratic nation.

“Our present 1999 Constitution was imposed by the military and not democratically formulated. It induces excessive administrative costs and weakens development. Nigeria needs a credible, truly federal constitution formulated by its people,” Anyaoku declared

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a goodwill message, agreed on the need for constitutional reform but emphasized that the real problem lies with the operators of the Constitution. He warned that no constitution—no matter how perfect—would yield positive results if implemented by corrupt or incompetent leaders. – “No matter what you do to the Nigerian Constitution, if the operators remain the same, the welfare of Nigerians will continue to suffer. The real issue is the failure of leadership, not just the flaws of the Constitution,” Obasanjo stated.

Key resolutions from the forum include

• A new constitution drafted through a participatory national dialogue

• Restoration of true federalism and regional autonomy

• Provisions for fiscal decentralization and resource control

• Clear safeguards for human rights, social equity, and good governance

PANDEF leaders and representatives from the Middle Belt Forum, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Arewa groups warned that national unity is at serious risk unless Nigerians are given a constitution they can truly call their own.

The coalition also vowed to build a grassroots movement to pressure the National Assembly into initiating a sovereign constitutional conference, insisting that the 2027 elections must not be conducted under what they described as an “illegitimate and unsustainable” constitutional order.

Political analysts say this renewed push could become a defining issue in Nigeria’s journey toward democratic rebirth, especially as younger generations increasingly demand structural reforms.

“A people’s constitution is not a luxury—it’s a survival imperative,” said former Governor Attah. “Nigeria must renegotiate its union or risk permanent fragmentation.”