Some delegates at the ongoing National Conference have said that the present 1999 constitution adopted by government in Nigeria is the bane of corruption in all sectors of the economy, saying the constitution encourages corrupt practices.
One of the delegates, Alani Akinrinade, said this yesterday at the floor of the conference when he was asked to speak on the President Jonathan’s inaugural speech.
He said Nigeria needs to throw away the 1999 constitution “that mandated corruption and draw a new constitution for our people.”
He added that he will sacrifice anything to make the ongoing conference to “come up with a constitution” that will move the country forward, saying for now Nigeria does not have one.
Also towing Akinrinade’s path, Mrs. Abiola Akinyode, a representative of Civil society organization said the 1999 constitution systematically excluded most Nigerians, especially, persons living with disability, women and youth from being part of schemes of events.
The delegate therefore called for a rewrite of a new constitution at the end of the ongoing conference.
In his own remarks, Prof. Dora Akunyili, described the Conference as “President Jonathan’s best centenary gift to Nigerians”, adding that she was fully convinced that Nigeria should remain as a nation after 100 years togetherness.
She raised alarm that millions of Nigerians were being discriminated against in the name of state of origin, urging the conference to work together to bring such act to an end in the country.
