Prominent elder statesmen from the northern region have reacted to recent calls for a new Nigerian constitution.
The Patriots, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Forum have demanded a new constitution for the peace and progress of the country.
But in a swift reaction, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who is also a member of The Patriots, urged President Bola Tinubu to proceed cautiously.
Yakasai, in a statement, stressed the importance of broad consultations and careful consideration, warning that neglecting these steps could lead to national chaos and instability.
He noted that “due process was not followed in articulating the views presented to the president,” noting that a matter of such national significance demands inclusive deliberation and consensus among all founding members.
The northern elder argued that excluding key voices undermines the credibility and unity of the mission, insisting that decisions of this magnitude must be rooted in collective wisdom rather than rushed actions.
He further aligned with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s view that Nigeria’s core issue is not the constitution itself but the “character and attitude of those who operate it”.
Yakasai asserted that without a change in the mindset and conduct of the country’s leaders, even the most well-crafted constitution would fail to bring about the desired progress and stability.
He advised that efforts should be directed towards promoting ethical leadership, accountability, and civic responsibility among those in governance.
He advised that efforts should be directed towards promoting ethical leadership, accountability, and civic responsibility among those in governance.
Similarly, Professor Auwalu Yadudu also cautioned that any reworking of the constitution and restructuring of the polity “must conform to constitutional processes to be legitimate”.
“Deviating from this path can lead to chaos and disorder,” Yadugu said.
Another northern elder statesman who craved anonymity told Daily Trust that the proposal for a new constitution was disruptive and an “attempt to exacerbate existing tensions”.
He alleged that the leader of The Patriots might be trying to “achieve Biafra through the back door” with the demand for a new constitution for Nigerian.
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