Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a renewed focus on the quality of leadership in Nigeria, stating that the country does not necessarily need a perfect constitution, but rather, the right operators to implement it effectively. Speaking at the opening of the National Summit on the Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy held in Abuja, Obasanjo emphasized that even the best constitution can be undermined by selfish, corrupt, and unprincipled leaders. His remarks, delivered on his behalf by Olawale Okunniyi, Secretary-General of The Patriots, underscored the idea that governance outcomes depend more on those in power than on constitutional text.
“No constitution is perfect,” Obasanjo said, “but whatever the strength or weakness of a constitution, the most important issue is the operators.” He expressed concern that for over a decade and a half, Nigeria’s constitutional operators have remained largely unchanged, continuing to sacrifice national welfare for self-interest, corruption, and impunity. According to him, even if constitutional reforms are made, they will amount to little unless the individuals entrusted with governance are guided by morality, decency, and integrity.
Obasanjo’s position echoed a growing sentiment among political stakeholders and civil society leaders that the problem with Nigeria’s democracy lies less in the structure of the constitution itself, and more in how it is executed. He warned that unless this issue is addressed, constitutional democracy in Nigeria will remain compromised.
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, also addressed the summit and took a more structural stance, declaring that the 1999 Constitution lacks legitimacy because it was never the product of a popular mandate. His speech, also delivered by Okunniyi, described the document as a relic of military imposition that stripped Nigerians of their sovereignty and departed from the country’s last authentic constitutional framework, the 1963 Constitution.
Attah argued that the suspension and subsequent abrogation of the 1963 Constitution represented a break from the values of federalism and mutual consent that once held the nation together. “This union is not working as it is,” he said, noting that regions across Nigeria, including the South-South, are now united in their call for restructuring. He stressed that for democracy to thrive, Nigeria must return to a truly federal system where sovereignty resides with the people and where federating units enjoy maximum autonomy.
He outlined key reforms needed to restore functionality: reducing the cost of politics, establishing a unicameral legislature, appointing ministers only from elected representatives, and overhauling the current unitary structure into a genuine federation. He cautioned that failure to act could lead to irreversible national fragmentation, stating, “If we miss this opportunity, the next chapter may be one of irreversible disintegration.”
Senator Gbenga Daniel, co-chair of the organizing committee and a member of the Nigerian Senate, described the three-day summit as a citizen-driven intervention designed to reimagine Nigeria’s democratic future. He said that the existing 1999 Constitution has consistently failed to address critical issues of governance, inclusion, and equity, and urged for meaningful reform through collective participation.
According to Gbenga Daniel, the summit is more than a talk shop. It brings together leaders from multiple generations, regions, and sectors, including women, youth, traditional rulers, and civil society- to deliberate on practical solutions. Discussions at the summit are focused on several key areas: the structure of the Nigerian federation, the roles of local governments and traditional institutions, fiscal federalism, electoral and judicial reforms, security, and citizenship rights.
One of the primary outcomes of the summit will be the development of a draft bill proposing a new constitutional framework, which will be presented to the Presidency and the National Assembly. Daniel emphasized that the aim is not to confront the government, but to collaborate constructively and present evidence-based proposals that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians today.
He urged Nigerians to shed fear of change and instead fear the consequences of inaction. “Nigeria’s unity will only be preserved through fairness and justice, not force or fear,” he said, adding that the summit represents a rare and urgent opportunity to reshape the country’s democratic trajectory.
