•Says no number of amendments to the 1999 Constitution can serve Nigeria’s collective interest
•As former VP Osinbajo, Governor Bago, hail Dakuku Peterside on launch of new books
Sunday Ehigiator
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major-General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd.), has called for the creation of a new, “people’s federal constitution”, stating that no amount of reforms or amendments made to the 1999 Constitution could transform it into a truly free, federal constitution with shared collective interests.
Nwachukwu made the call at the public presentation of Dr. Dakuku Peterside’s new books, “Beneath the Surface” and “Leading in a Storm”, held yesterday in Lagos.
In his remarks, as the chairman of the occasion, Nwachukwu described the current political framework in Nigeria as inadequate to meet the country’s aspirations for justice, equity, and development.
He renewed calls for a comprehensive restructuring of Nigeria’s federal system, insisting that only the creation of a “People’s Federal Constitution” can deliver true federalism and inclusive national progress.
Nwachukwu stated, “No amount of amendments to the 1999 Constitution will transform it into a truly free, federal, negotiated government reflecting the consent of our diverse nationalities.
“We must, as a people, sit together, negotiate on various issues, and agree on a constitution that best serves our collective interest.”
He stated that the existing constitution limited the autonomy and creativity of Nigeria’s federating units, thereby stifling growth.
Nwachukwu said, “To unlock our people’s potential, we must remove these shackles and allow the states greater control over their destinies.”
He added that a restructured federation would “foster innovation, strengthen unity, and extinguish separatist tendencies”.
Nwachukwu described Dakuku’s books as “intellectual and patriotic offerings” that challenged Nigerians “to reflect, rethink, and rebuild our future”.
He commended Dakuku’s consistency in advocating fairness, justice, and visionary leadership, urging Nigerians to embrace such ideas as blueprints for national renewal.
“Let us celebrate not only a great writer but a believer in the possibilities of our country. We need courageous and thoughtful voices to shape our national decisions,” Nwachukwu stated.
Equally speaking at the event, former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, lauded Dakuku for his thought-provoking work, especially his essay titled, “Justice as an Economic Opportunity,” contained in “Beneath the Surface”.
Quoting directly from the essay, Osinbajo highlighted the corrosive impact of corruption and undue influence within Nigeria’s justice system.
“If money, proximity, and muscle influence power, courts then cease to be institutions of order and become markets of our governments,” he read.
he added, “Entrepreneurs learn to calculate a new line in their projects called friction, the cost of adjournments, the premium for speed, and the fee for outcomes. Politicians focus not on the votes of the people but on the votes of judicial officers.”
The former vice president described the essay as a profound reflection on the link between justice and economic progress, stating that inefficiencies in the justice system discourage investors and weaken democracy.
“In commercial law, the ease with which enforcement can be stalled tells investors everything they need to know,” he said.
Osinbajo said Dakuku’s writings were remarkable, not only for their depth of critique but also for their constructive proposals.
“What stands out in his work is not merely the sharpness of his observations, but the quality of his ideas for reform. He offers solutions, and that is the mark of a true patriot and thinker,” Osinbajo said.
In his remarks, Dakuku said the books were conceived as a response to the growing need for informed leadership and active citizenship in an era marked by volatility, uncertainty, and complexity.
He explained that “Beneath the Surface” and “Leading in a Storm” were not just literary works but collections of ideas that spoke directly to the promise and potential of Nigeria.
He said, “My heart’s desire is simple yet ambitious, to equip a generation of leaders and citizens to inspire transformative change and refine our political narratives.”
Dakuku described Leading in a Storm as a guide for leaders navigating complex environments, offering transformational insights and practical tools that can be applied immediately.
He said the true value of leadership lied in the courage to act, the foresight to anticipate change, and the wisdom to create solutions rather than surrender to crisis.
On Beneath the Surface, he stated that its essence lied in challenging citizens and policymakers alike to dig deeper into the systemic and cultural issues that shaped Nigeria’s governance and social realities.
“The ultimate worth of these books is their power to inspire meaningful action and awaken the courage to shape our future,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, congratulated Dakuku for producing what he described as “a wonderful intellectual offering” to Nigeria’s national discourse.
Bago stated that although he had not yet read the books, he attended the event to honour Dakuku, whom he described as a personal friend and a man of great intellect.
The governor said Dakuku’s works reflected the resilience and thoughtful that leadership required, particularly in an era dominated by hasty judgments and superficial debates.
He urged Nigerians to embrace the author’s call for deeper reflection on national and personal issues, saying that such critical thinking is essential for shaping a responsible and visionary society.
Bago said, “We must stop being judgmental and probe issues more deeply. That is how we can nurture the leadership and values our country truly needs.”
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