Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, has faulted Nigeria’s political structure, insisting that the country cannot achieve peace or stability without a constitution genuinely made by its people.
Attah made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television, where he spoke on national politics and controversies surrounding a possible state of emergency in Rivers State.
He argued that governance in Nigeria has drifted away from democratic ideals, with elected officials serving vested interests rather than the electorate.
“What is the governor? Who is the governor expected to serve? An elected person is expected to serve the people who elected him. But today, governors are bound by agreements and undertakings, not the will of the people. It makes nonsense of the office of a governor,” Attah said.
The former governor further criticised the 1999 Constitution, describing it as a military imposition rather than a product of popular consensus.
“Nigerians didn’t make the present constitution. It was literally dictated by the military. The last time Nigerians came together to decide their own constitution was in 1963,” he added.
Attah maintained that only a people-driven constitution could guarantee genuine federalism, restore public trust, and lay the foundation for lasting peace and stability in the country.
Ex-Governor Attah: Nigeria Needs People-Driven Constitution for Peace, Stability
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, has faulted Nigeria’s political structure, insisting that the country cannot achieve peace or stability without a constitution genuinely made by its people.
Attah made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television, where he spoke on national politics and controversies surrounding a possible state of emergency in Rivers State.
He argued that governance in Nigeria has drifted away from democratic ideals, with elected officials serving vested interests rather than the electorate.
“What is the governor? Who is the governor expected to serve? An elected person is expected to serve the people who elected him. But today, governors are bound by agreements and undertakings, not the will of the people. It makes nonsense of the office of a governor,” Attah said.
The former governor further criticised the 1999 Constitution, describing it as a military imposition rather than a product of popular consensus.
“Nigerians didn’t make the present constitution. It was literally dictated by the military. The last time Nigerians came together to decide their own constitution was in 1963,” he added.
Attah maintained that only a people-driven constitution could guarantee genuine federalism, restore public trust, and lay the foundation for lasting peace and stability in the country.
