1999 constitution has crippled development in Nigeria – Afe Babalola

 

• bags AU ambassadorial award

 

Chief Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has said that the Nigeria 1999 Constitution is responsible for the mirage of problems confronting the country at the moment.

He disclosed this on Tuesday after being conferred with the ambassadorial award by the African Union- Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC).

The award which was presented to the renowned lawyer in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital was tagged, ” African Role Model and AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Award ”

The event was attended by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111; a renowned historian and newly elected Yoruba leader, Prof. Banji Akintoye and other eminent personalities.

Babalola said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government would achieve little or no results in the second term in office if the current 1999 constitution is still being used in the country.

He said Nigeria and other African countries have remained poor because of lack of reformed leaders, adding that it was only through a federal constitution that transformational leaders could emerge.

He further urged the executive to forward a bill to the national assembly for the convocation of Sovereign National Conference whose membership would be elected on zero party system.

According to hi, “This is an appropriate time for me to call on President Buhari , the new ministers, members of the National Assembly that no matter how brilliant they are , no matter their good intention, it will be difficult to make much difference in the soaring unemployment, poor infrastructure, kidnapping, armed robbery, begging on the street unless bold steps are taken to change the 1999 constitution which is falsely described as a federal constitution when in fact is unitary in all facets.

“In Nigeria, the 1999 constitution has discouraged and crippled development in the states consequently; Nigeria remains a poor country like most of the African countries.

”It is only through a truly federal constitution that transformational leaders can emerge a true Nigeria nation can emerge from over 300 nations in the country.”

Babalola appreciated the AU-ECOSOCC for the award, assuring that he would continue to partner with them in a quest for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its citizens.

The leader of the AU-ECOSOC team, Dr. Tunji Ashaolu said the award by the African Union group to Chief Afe Babalola was in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the African Union agenda.

According to Ashaolu, the AU has only five awards which cut across the continent, revealing that the slot reserved for West Africa was undoubtedly conferred on the Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Oba Adeyemi described the awardee as a friend who had always stood by the truth in the overall interest of the public.

The monarch said: “At the critical stage of elite conspiracy against me on the throne, Chief Afe Babalola stood by me without minding all the names he was called to scare him from me. He has not only been supporting me professionally but materially as circumstances dictate.

” My choice of him is predicated on his humility, honesty, transparency and above all, self-respect which as earned him integrity not only within but outside the country. He is a man who is always in search of truth and you once he identifies the truth about any situation, he stands by it at the risk of everything.”

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who described Afe Babalola as an achiever, noted that the state is lucky to have the fastest growing university in Africa.

Speaking through Prof. Bolaji Aluko, the Governor reiterated the importance of knowledge-driven economy to his administration, saying ABUAD would in no small measure helped the government in achieving his plans.