In a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) has expressed its desire for Nigeria to adopt a republican constitution once again. The spokesperson for the pro-democracy group, Ayo Opadokun, emphasized that the 1963 republican constitution promotes genuine federalism and fosters harmonious coexistence among Nigeria’s regions and levels of government.
NADECO acknowledged President Tinubu’s significant role in the historic struggle for democracy in Nigeria and expressed satisfaction that he had been elected as the country’s President. They reminded him of the primary objective of their collective and just struggle, which was centered on the urgent need to restore Nigeria to a federal constitutional governance framework, the same framework under which the country achieved independence.
According to NADECO, Nigeria’s current status remains that of a country rather than a unified nation due to the military’s unlawful suspension, abrogation, and replacement of the negotiated independent constitution with a unitary constitution. They criticized the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, which they regarded as deceitfully orchestrated, as they perpetuated the severe damages imposed by successive military regimes, leading to Nigeria’s stagnation, hindered progress, and unacceptably high poverty rates.
NADECO firmly believed that a return to the independence/republican constitution would reestablish a responsive and responsible government, setting the stage for the reconstruction of the country.
