Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education and CEO of Human Capital Africa, sharply criticized the National Assembly on Thursday for its ongoing constitutional amendment process, calling it a “charade” and a misuse of public funds.
Speaking during her keynote address on “Reworking Nigeria’s Federalism: Perspectives on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism” at the 7th Penpushing anniversary, Ezekwesili lamented the current political landscape, which she claims is dominated by “criminal enterprise gangs” that distort governance to serve their interests while neglecting the needs of the populace.
She argued that instead of heeding calls for a new constitution to address the systemic imbalances and inequalities of the existing one, the National Assembly has opted for a superficial approach that fails to tackle urgent issues such as insecurity, unemployment, and maladministration.
Ezekwesili emphasized the necessity of a new constitution that prioritizes devolution of powers and equitable governance. “The ongoing constitutional amendment cannot work; it is a sheer waste of resources,” she stated, likening the situation to trying to fix a structurally defective building rather than starting anew.
She urged the media to champion the demand for a constitutional conference that would facilitate genuine dialogue about the nation’s governance, echoing the successful model employed by Kenya after its political turmoil.
In addition, Sarafadeen Ishola, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, noted that while Nigeria’s federalism exists in principle, it fails to deliver the expected autonomy and developmental competition essential for national growth.
Mr. Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, founder of Penpushing Media, highlighted the platform’s commitment to fostering important conversations around national issues and empowering future journalists through training initiatives.
The event also featured goodwill messages from notable figures, including former Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina and Deaconess Funke Fadugba, emphasizing the collective call for effective governance and structural reform in Nigeria.
