Anyaoku Warns Nigeria Against Delaying New Constitution, Says Diversity Must Be Properly Managed

Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has renewed his call for Nigeria to urgently produce a new constitution, warning that delaying the process could further deepen the country’s political and governance challenges.

Anyaoku, an elder statesman and prominent advocate of constitutional reform, said the next administration that emerges from the 2027 general elections must immediately begin the process of producing a new constitution.

In an interview published on Wednesday, Anyaoku argued that Nigeria’s existing constitutional framework is fundamentally defective and cannot adequately address the country’s diversity and longstanding governance problems.

According to him, the answer should not be another round of piecemeal amendments to the 1999 Constitution, which he described as incapable of providing the structural changes Nigeria requires.

“The 1999 Constitution (as amended) is unamendable,” Anyaoku said, arguing against continuing to modify what he considers a fundamentally defective document.

Anyaoku proposed the establishment of a Constituent Assembly made up of representatives of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities, faith and traditional institutions, professional bodies and other interest groups.

He said the assembly should draft a constitution that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians after broad consultations with relevant stakeholders.

The proposed constitution, according to Anyaoku, should draw from relevant provisions of Nigeria’s 1960 and 1963 constitutions, as well as recommendations contained in the 2014 National Conference report.

The elder statesman has made similar arguments in the past. In 2024, he told members of The Patriots that a new constitution could be produced within six to nine months if the National Assembly passed the necessary legislation and a constituent assembly was convened. He also advocated a referendum to give the new constitution legitimacy.

Anyaoku said a new constitutional framework should clearly define the relationship between the federal government and the federating units.

He specifically advocated devolution of powers and a clear formula for resource allocation, arguing that these issues are central to managing Nigeria’s diversity and strengthening the country’s federal system.

His latest warning comes as political parties commence campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, putting constitutional reform and the structure of governance back into the national political conversation.

Anyaoku cautioned that the major challenge would not end with the election itself.

“We all hope there would be elections in 2027,” he said, adding that the critical question would be what happens after the election.

‘Country is doomed’ without urgent action

Anyaoku warned that failure by the government that emerges after the 2027 election to immediately address the constitutional question could have serious consequences for Nigeria.

He argued that the country’s persistent insecurity, political tensions and developmental difficulties reinforce the need for a governance structure capable of better managing its diversity.

His position echoes his longstanding argument that Nigeria’s political and economic challenges cannot be adequately addressed without fundamental constitutional restructuring. In 2023, he similarly argued that the country needed a new constitution to tackle insecurity, economic difficulties, divisiveness and infrastructure challenges.

The latest intervention is likely to renew debate over whether Nigeria should pursue another amendment of the 1999 Constitution or embark on the more extensive process of drafting an entirely new constitutional framework.