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Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, insists that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, remains the biggest drawback to good governance, accountability, inclusiveness, productivity, and development in the country.
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Attah, who chaired the 2024 National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) held on Tuesday in Abuja, maintained that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which was an “installation by the military regime of a command structure,” defiled Nigeria’s federalism established in 1954.
He faulted the 2023 record of proceedings of the FFDGN National Conference & Summit, which stated that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is a good document that can lead the country to the expected eldorado.
“Those of you who have listened to some of my television interviews or read some of my published articles will know that I totally and completely disagree with the statement,” he noted.
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He charged participants drawn from across the country, irrespective of political affiliation, to provide the country with solutions desperately needed to bind it into a thriving nation that moves forward.
Attah, who administered Akwa Ibom State between 1999 and 2007, noted that the theme of the conference titled: “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security, and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria” and its five sub-themes clearly indicated that the participants have a clear awareness of the current situation in the country.
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Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Segun Osoba, threw his weight behind Attah’s position on the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Recalling how he, alongside Attah, traded tackles with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on issues relating to governance at the local council level, Osoba stressed the need for food sufficiency in the country.
He said the United States of America (USA) is regarded as the greatest country in the world because it enjoys food sufficiency.
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