Clergy Tasks NASS On Constitution Amendment
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The 1999 Constitution as amended is at the centre of most challenges militating against speedy and sustainable socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Expressing strong views about the document’s obvious inadequacies, Arch-Bishop of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity Anglican Communion, Calabar Diocese, Most Rev. Tunde Adeleye said in the face of mounting security and other challenges, only a new constitution can provide the required plank for Nigeria to effectively address its developmental needs going forward.
Rev Adeleye described the current constitution as a unitary government document dubiously masked in so-called federalism but regrettably conferring ultimate powers on the Federal Government.
Speaking with journalists in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Most Rev Adeleye noted that the Federal government is too powerful with juicy and attractive goodies being dispensed by federal agencies at the expense of the federating units.
He frowned at a situation where Federal Government apparatus are suspiciously deployed to maintain its intimidating status with resources extracted from domains of the exploited federating units called states.
The Clergy therefore urged the National Assembly (NASS) to demonstrate courage by commencing the process of power devolution to the States as a means of reliving the federal government of certain residual powers that it currently enjoys.
According to outspoken Priest, since some powerful individuals and groups within the corridors of power have the feeling that restructuring is akin to the balkanising the country, devolution of power in areas like State policing and solid minerals development has become imperative to curb the rising and frightening incidents of insecurity across the country.
Rev Adeleye said urgent and all-inclusive measures must be taken by the Federal government and all stakeholders to tackle growing incidents of criminality, kidnapping, armed robbery and other such vices bedevilling the country.
He maintained that the Boko Haram insurgency; Rising waves of kidnappings, banditry; militancy in the Niger Delta Region, distasteful activities of killer herdsmen across the length and breadth of Nigeria are serious security challenges too grave to be left in the hands of the federal government alone.
