Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigeria’s core challenge is not its constitution, but the conduct and character of those responsible for implementing it.
Obasanjo made the remarks on Wednesday during the opening of a three-day national summit on the future of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, held in Abuja. His message was delivered by Olawale Okunniyi, Secretary-General of the Eminent Patriots.
While acknowledging that the constitution is not without flaws, Obasanjo argued that it remains a viable framework for governance and national development—if executed in good faith.
“The best constitution can be perverted and distorted by the operators, and we have experienced that all over Africa; Nigeria is not exempted,” he said.
He urged that the national conversation on democratic reform should focus less on constitutional amendments and more on the integrity of public officeholders. According to him, the welfare of Nigerians will continue to suffer if leaders remain driven by selfish interests.
“No matter what you do to the Nigerian constitution, if the operators of the constitution, for the past one decade and a half, remain unchanged and continue in the same manner, the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of selfishness,” Obasanjo stated.
He added that any constitution, including Nigeria’s, must reflect the nation’s history, aspirations, and diversity. However, he warned that even the most well-crafted legal document can be rendered ineffective if implemented by individuals lacking honesty and accountability.
“As we reflect on the future of constitutional democracy in Nigeria, let us remember that the document itself is only as good as the people who bring it to life,” he said.
Obasanjo called for a renewed national emphasis on rule of law, transparency, and ethical leadership.
The summit brought together political leaders, legal experts, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to assess Nigeria’s democratic journey and propose strategies for strengthening constitutional governance.
