Save Democracy: Tunji Abayomi Call For People’s Constitution, Not Elites’ Charter

In what appears to be a crucial turning point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, prominent constitutional lawyer and political analyst, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, has made a bold call for a comprehensive, intelligent, and people-centered constitutional review, warning that anything short of that would amount to “another wasteful political drama.”

In an interview, Abayomi emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution, in its current form, is largely a military decree masquerading as a democratic charter. He stressed the urgent need for a true constitutional overhaul, not just another round of elite-tweaked amendments lacking public legitimacy or depth.

“The Constitution is not the same as a bill. A bill is a temporary legal proposition passed into law, but a constitution is the foundational covenant of a nation. It defines not just laws, but the soul and direction of a people,” Dr. Abayomi noted.

No Constitution Review Without the Right Brains

Abayomi insisted that any serious constitutional review must go beyond the confines of political ambition and include those who deeply understand constitutional architecture.

“The National Assembly must understand that it is not the repository of constitutional wisdom. If they are truly serious, they must open the door to seasoned constitutional lawyers, political historians, and scholars who have studied the nature and failures of this document for decades,” he added.

This sentiment was echoed by Prof. Akin Oyebode, a respected Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, who warned against what he described as the “ritualistic tinkering” of the Nigerian Constitution.

“What Nigeria needs is not patchwork. What we need is a total overhaul by experts. You can’t fix a faulty foundation by painting the walls. The people must be involved, and the legal intelligentsia must drive the process,” Prof. Oyebode stated.

Constitution – Rule of Law

Another vital point raised by Abayomi is the common misconception that the rule of law is synonymous with the constitution.

“The rule of law is the principle that everyone is subject to the law. The Constitution, however, defines what those laws are and the powers behind them. When the constitution is flawed, the rule of law becomes compromised. That’s why Nigeria is often lawless, not because we lack laws, but because we operate from a broken constitution,” he explained.

The Real Cost of Change: Not Millions, But Will

One of the most critical revelations in the ongoing constitutional debate is the ridiculous cost Nigeria has incurred in previous attempts to review its constitution, often running into billions.

But according to Abayomi, that shouldn’t be the case.

“Proper constitutional review doesn’t need to cost millions or billions of naira. What it needs is political will, sincerity of purpose, and the inclusion of the right minds. We’ve had thousands of town halls and bogus reports in the past with no impact. That is why people are losing faith,” he declared.

Constitutional Law expert Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) has also previously spoken about the bloated expenditures attached to constitutional reviews, calling for “a leaner, more transparent and focused process” that centers the Nigerian people, not political contracts.

Why Now? The Moment is Ripe

The consensus among legal scholars and political analysts is that Nigeria’s democracy is wobbling, not just because of leadership failure, but because the foundation it rests on, the 1999 Constitution, is shaky, undemocratic, and outdated.

“The Constitution was not made by ‘We the people.’ It was handed down by the military. Until we fix that lie, Nigeria will continue to walk in circles,” Abayomi warned.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising insecurity, ethnic discontent, and institutional decay, many believe that a genuine, people-driven constitutional review might just be the last lifeline for the country’s democracy.

“This is not about parties or politics,” Abayomi concluded. “It’s about survival. If we fail to create a true Constitution now, we may not have a nation to argue over tomorrow.”

For Nigeria, the choice is stark: Reform or regress.

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By Folake Sokoya