Yoruba elders tell FG: Use 1963 constitution, 2014 confab report as template, discard 1999 constitution

The Yoruba Council of Elders (Igbimo Agba Yoruba) has advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to adopt the 1963 constitution and the report of the 2014 National dialogue as template for Nigeria’s political development.
The group while urging the FG to discard the 1999 Constitution expressed its full support for restructuring.
YCE gave this advice on Wednesday in a communiqué signed by its President General, Chief Idowu Sofola (MON) and Secretary-General Dr. Kunle Olajide at the end of its 19th National Executive Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Present at the meeting were Chief Ayo Ojebode, Mr Abraham Akinleye Akinremi, Prince Samuel Akinleye Agbede, Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty and its Matron, Professor Mrs Adetoun Ogunseye.
The group urged the Federal and State governments to make the payment of pensioners a priority.
“The 1999 constitution which in fact is the old military decree 24, is a pseudo Federal Constitution, (a unitary constitution in disguise), it cannot work in a multi ethnic country like Nigeria.
“A constitution that virtually neutralises the Local Government system which is nearest to the people has invariably consigned the people to irrelevance and put development at the grassroot in reverse gear.
“A constitution and system of government that continues to exploit natural resources to enrich the ruling class at the expense of the people cannot endure. This constitution compels corruption.
“Our dear country is currently confronted with dauting challenges of increasing youth/ graduate unemployment fuelling insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery and separatist agitations. These challenges clearly show that Nigeria’s problems are foundational and structural, therefore constitution. Unending piecemeal amendments of the1999 constitution cannot work, it will merely be postponing the doomsday.
“The constitution must be discarded, and the 1963 constitution with the resolutions of the 2014 National conference should be used as a template for the groundnoin which will be submitted to the people in a referendum.”
The group further congratulated the South West Government of Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states on the successful outcome of their meeting held at Abeokuta on Monday.
The YCE further commended the governors’ commitment to regional integration on agricultural, economy, education, security.
They also expressed their satisfaction with the region’s “decision to compel the teaching of Yoruba values and ethics.
“YCE applaud the setting up of a committee to advance the Yoruba ethics and values as instrument of Yoruba uniqueness for strengthening the region’s identity.
The Igbimo Agba assures the governors of the Igbimo’s unwavering support for their efforts to improve the living standard of our people”, it added.
On the irregularities in the payment of pension and ill treatment of pensioners in Nigeria, YCE said “the benefits and pensions of these elderly people who spent the better part of their lives in the service of their fatherland are not paid as at when due.”