The Ijaw National Congress has urged President Bola Tinubu to revert Nigeria to the 1963 constitution, following his decision to revert to the old national anthem.
Recall that the President recently signed the Old National Anthem Bill into law, adopting “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the national anthem, replacing “Arise O Compatriots”.
The old anthem, written by British citizen Lillian Williams, was used from the 1960s to 1978. Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, INC’s National Publicity Secretary, commended the President’s action, saying it’s a step in the right direction, according to the Punch.
The INC opined that reverting to the 1963 constitution will promote true federalism, regional autonomy, and address lingering issues in the country.
They hope the President will consider their call and take necessary steps towards constitutional reform.
He said, “The Ijaw National Congress Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the ljaw nation, supports the reverting to the old National Anthem. It is a welcome development.
“We believe that it’s a bold step by the President, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, to correct most of the wrongs by the military junta.”
He, however, urged Tinubu to extend this initiative to the 1963 constitution, which had a parliamentary system of government.
According to the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw people, the 1999 Constitution currently being in use was “rudely and forcibly” introduced to Nigerians to enslave the people.
The group urged the President to take urgent steps in reverting to the 1963 constitution to avert imminent anarchy.
He said, “We strongly believe that in the nearest time, there will be a call for the abolition of the 1999 Constitution, which was rudely and forcibly introduced to the Nigerian people, particularly to enslave the Niger Delta people, where their God-given resources and wealth are taken away.
“We call for the reintroduction of the 1963 constitution, where states are empowered to totally control their resources and pay tax to the Federal Government. We have deviated from these ideal norms and derailed them. All constitutions after 1963 should be abolished. Nobody changes a winning team.”
Speaking further, he said, “The 1963 constitution was winning, where the minorities and the majorities were carried along respectively, free of oppression of the minority. All the recognised regions were carried along.
“We can revert and take the right route instead of continuing en route to lead us to doom. It’s never too late to correct our mistakes instead of continuing with these mistakes.
“The INC calls for the speedy restructuring of the country and bringing to the people the reality of the renewed hope as promised by the President. The suffering of the common people is unbearable. This may lead to anarchy if not resolved urgently. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Supporting the INC’s stance on the matter, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, said reverting to the 1963 legal framework would enhance stability, reduce insecurity, and promote equitable development.
He also affirmed that the Niger Delta region had suffered from an inability to control its resources, adding that a change of the constitution would strengthen the 36 states.
He said, “The President should do everything good to take Nigeria back to the way it was in 1963 by restructuring the country back to regionalism.
“If he does this, it will strengthen the states so that the states will be able to control their resources. They will stop the process of coming to Abuja to take money monthly; rather it will be the state that will give part of what they have earned to the Federal Government.”
Speaking further, he said, “If there is restructuring, issues of insecurity will be reduced. Also, the issues of using the money of some states to develop others will stop.”
