Current constitution can’t resolve economic challenges – Anyaoku

 



Mr Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the
Commonwealth, has said that Nigeria’s current constitution would not adequately
address the nation’s economic predicaments and other myriad challenges.

 

Anyaoku spoke to newsmen on Saturday in his country home,
Obosi village of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

 

He said the current challenges being faced in the nation
like poverty, insecurity, and dilapidated infrastructure, among others, were
serious challenges bedevilling the country.

 

“I am on record for saying that these challenges cannot be
effectively addressed under the constitution and governance system we have at
the moment.

 



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“We cannot effectively address these challenges that have
assumed nationwide dimension, especially insecurity which has pervaded the
Northern part of the country and other communities,” he said.

 

He stressed that the current constitution was a departure
from the constitution that the nation’s founding fathers negotiated and agreed
upon.

 

“The constitution for a pluralistic state as Nigeria; we
have to return to those principles of the constitution as earlier agreed by our
founding fathers.

 

“Until we do that, I am afraid that we cannot effectively
deal with the challenges facing the nation,” he added.

 

When asked about the Monday sit-at-home observed in the
Southeast region and the negative effects on the economy, the elder statesman
said that the sit-at-home was causing great damage to the economy of the
country.

 

 “The sit-at-home home
is doing great damage to the economy of the South East region. I do not support
the idea. I think it is doing great damage to the economy.

 

“We have to deal with the root cause of the sit-at-home,
which is the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

 

“Even though the court of law had ordered his release, that
word gives those who advocate and participate in sit-at-home the reason for
doing so.

 

“I think that the cause of the sit-at-home should be
addressed. I do not think that the sit-at-home should be maintained, it should
be stopped,” he suggested.

 

On the Ito-Ogoto traditional event that was being celebrated
every three years in the community, he observed that those who attained the age
of 80 years were celebrated.

 





He noted that the Igbo culture respects age because it was
believed that age brings wisdom.