The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) on Tuesday wrote a letter to President Bola Tinubu calling for Nigeria’s return to the republican constitution.
It is the 1963 Republican Constitution that provides for true federalism and protects peace among the tiers of government in this country.
The letter signed by NADECO spokesperson Ayo Opadokun states: Nigeria is not yet a country because the military failed to get democratic consent, illegally suspended Nigerians, abolished our negotiated independent constitution and replaced it with a unitary constitution – until now.
NADECO believes that the return to the independent/republican constitution will produce a responsive and responsible government as we rebuild our country that has suffered from the personal interests of politicians since January 15, 1966. The correction of the various aberrations imposed by the military dictators can be achieved over time.
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The letter states:
NADECO congratulates you on your inauguration as President of Nigeria while recognising the right of your opponents to challenge the election results in court. NADECO is pleased that one of its leaders who played an important role in the campaign for democracy in Nigeria has been elected President of the country. Our main demand was the restoration of a federal constitutional form of government in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a nation because the military illegally replaced the negotiated independent constitution with a unitary constitution without democratic consent.
The 1979 and 1999 constitutions mask the damage done to Nigeria by the military regimes, which has led to poverty and stagnation. NADECO is campaigning for a return to the Independence Constitution/Republican Constitution to rebuild the country that was destroyed by power-hungry politicians in uniform since 1966. The aberrations of the military dictatorship in Nigeria can be corrected gradually over time. Mr President, you have experienced the same difficulties as we did when we were fighting the oppressive powers. Thankfully, your party set up the El-Rufai Governorship Committee which proposed to the APC government to fulfil its promise to introduce a federal constitutional form of government as stated in your manifesto. Please remain faithful to the promises you made when you were elected.
