1999 Constitution Is The Reason Nigeria Remains Poor And Undeveloped – Afe Babalola

Renowned legal practitioner and educationist, Afe Babalola, says that the 1999 constitution is the main reason why Nigeria remains poor and undeveloped like most African countries.

Speaking at an African Union ceremony on Tuesday, 27th August 2019, Afe Babalola criticized the 1999 constitution which was supervised by the military under Abdulsalami Abubakar, for giving too much power to the center and limited authority to the federating states.

The senior advocate of Nigeria said the constitution is not suitable for the peculiar nature of the country because it has crippled development in the states.

“The 1999 constitution is, in large measure, responsible for the problems we have in Nigeria today. The constitution has discouraged and crippled development in the states. Consequently, Nigeria remains a poor country like most African countries,” he said.

“What Nigeria needs is a bill sponsored by the government, asking the senate to pass a law for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference that the membership will be elected on zero party system.

“It is only through a true federal constitution that transformational leaders can emerge and a true Nigeria nation can emerge from over the 300 nations in the country. Africa needs leaders who can transform the continent. The renaissance has started in ABUAD. We have succeeded in nine years to transform education in the country.”

Babalola was honoured with the ‘African role model and the African Union agenda 2063 ambassador awards’ by the African Union Economic Socio-Cultural Council.

He said the award given to him was a good omen to millions of Nigerians and Africa.