In a press conference held to kick off the 15th annual general conference of the Association of Muslim Lawyers in Nigeria (MULAN), it was highlighted that the current 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is riddled with numerous defects and flaws.
Dr. Kazeem Olajide Olaniyan, the National President of MULAN, emphasized the urgent need for a domestically produced Constitution that can effectively address the current challenges confronting the nation.
Dr. Olaniyan noted that the 1999 Constitution, which was formulated during the era of military rule, contains various imperfections that need to be rectified.
He underscored the importance of having a Constitution that is tailored to the specific needs and issues facing Nigeria in the present day.
During his address, Dr. Olaniyan reiterated that the conference’s theme, ‘National Development: The new dynamics and nuances’, was selected to offer practical solutions to the nation’s pressing challenges.
Furthermore, he urged the government to tackle the prevalent issues of fuel scarcity, food shortages, and inflation within the country.
“Any constitutional framework for Nigeria must be locally crafted. The current constitution was imposed by the military regime.
“There are numerous shortcomings and defects in the 1999 constitution.
“The removal of petroleum subsidies has had widespread effects, compounded by inflation. The country is currently grappling with fuel shortages.
“While we hold the government accountable, it is crucial to recognize that there are also societal factors contributing to the challenges we face. We implore the government to address the issue of food insecurity as well.”