Constitution: Nigerians, US Congressmen Want Reforms Before Elections

FOLLOWING the postponement of the General elections originally slated to begin on February 14, Nigerians have intensified calls for a holistic review of the nation’s statutes to pave way for peaceful co-existence between the North and the South.

In a different breath, international observers, including U.S. congress men have expressed the concern that Nigeria might actually be “on the brink,’ unless something strategic is done before the elections. In fact, the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organisations recently held a hearing on Nigeria, themed, “Nigeria on the Brink? 

     The Southern Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities, at its Town Hall Meeting, organised by the Oporoza House in conjunction with the Federation of O’odua People (FOP) and Lower Niger Congress (LNC), in Lagos called for restructuring of the country before elections. 

  Tony Nnadi, Secretary General of the LNC, said there is need to put the elections on hold until the country is able to design a new constitution that will engender peaceful co-existence between the North and the South. According to him, unfolding events in the country down to the 2015 general elections are reminiscent of the confusion that birthed the 1967 civil war and should, therefore, be clinically resolved by proffering a lasting solution.

Timi KaiseriWilhem, the Chairman of the Oporoza House, Ogoriba, re-echoed Nnadi’s concern, saying Constitutional amendment should be given utmost attention over any form of election, especially as the Northeastern part of the country has been partially overrun.    

Similarly, Akinmodiro Leye of the Federation of Oduduwa People, noted that the Yoruba race is anxious for a better Nigeria and would not subscribe to half measures. 

 Emeka Ugwu-Oju, President of the South East/South South professionals, at the invitation of a high-ranking member of the US House of Representatives Sub-committee on Africa, Rep. Karen Bass of the 33rd District, California, attended the hearing organised on Nigeria on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. 

  Ugwu-Oju is also the convener concerned Nigerian professional and entrepreneurs forum on the 2015 Presidential election.  He told The Guardian that the Chairman of the Sub-committee, Chris Smith, and Chairman, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ed Royce set the tone for the hearing, which, in his view, was balanced.

   According to Ugwu-Oju, seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives and five witnesses from the State Department and Non Governmental Organisations made submissions and comments during the hearing. Rep. Bass, he said, mentioned that she had a discussion with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, who expressed her reservation about the title of the hearing. 

  “A panelist suggested that, maybe, it should have been:” Nigeria on the Cusp.”  The representative of the State Department was questioned on why the U.S. Government refused to sell the cobra helicopters to Nigeria. His answer was not too satisfactory to the committee and it was agreed that, going forward, both governments should increase their military cooperation to ensure that Boko Haram is defeated, since it has become a menace, not only to Nigeria but the entire sub region.”

   Ugwu-Oju disclosed that most of the discussions centered on the forthcoming elections “and a comprehensive statement of the Joint NDI/IRI pre-election assessment mission to Nigeria.

   He, however, observed that “the National Conference Resolutions were not highlighted during the hearing, which in my opinion, was a major omission; and I then decided to hold private discussions with Ed Royce, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs and some high-ranking committee members on the importance of the National Conference to majority of Nigerians and how the U.S. Government can constructively engage the Nigerian State on using the implementation of the National Conference resolutions to minimise pre and post-election tensions in Nigeria.”