By Goodluck Ikiebe
Participants in AfriHeritage Big Ideas Podium have emphasised the need for respect to the principles of Separation of Powers that allow each of the three arms of government assert its independence for good governance.
The decision is part of recommendations at the end of the Big Ideas Podium entitled, Reworking the Nigerian constitution for National Transformation and Integration, in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement signed by Professor Ufo Okeke-Uzodike, Executive Director, African Heritage Institution and Barrister Justice Uhuegbu, President, Association of Good Governance in Nigeria.
The duo stessed the need for re orientation of Nigerians by reestablishing value systems that tolerate cultural differences and support principles of honesty, integrity and justice.
The participants emphasised the need for full decentralisation of powers between the constituent states and the federal government,noting that concentration of power at the centre had rendered positive transformation impossible.
They recommended that no matter how good the Nigerian constitution is crafted, it would remain unworkable without full respect to the rule of law, accountability and a free press.
Participants also observed that the major challenges associated with the current constitution was the non implementation or lack of strict adherence to its provisions by the government.
They questioned the sincerity of the executive arm of government “when key officials say that Nigeria’s unity is non negotiable without providing any concrete steps to ensure concord.”
According to the participants, the transformation and Integration of Nigeria depends on a working constitution, where it is respected as a supreme document.
