Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku has joined in calling for the immediate abolition of the 1999 Constitution.

Mr Anyaoku spoke during the launch of ‘The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun’ at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos on Wednesday.

“As long as Nigeria continues to operate under this constitution, even an angel like Gabriel cannot save it,” Mr Anyaoku declared.

According to him, Nigeria was more united and prosperous before the military’s adoption of a unitary system in 1966.

“The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries that have remained unified and progressive as single political entities are those that embrace their diversity with genuine federal constitutions,” said Mr Anyaoku.

The elder statesman further cited countries that have successfully managed diversity through true federalism, urging the Nigerian government to heed the call for a more democratic system that reflects the country’s unique diversity.

Mr Anyaoku added, “I believe that for Nigeria to achieve true unity, political stability, and effectively address its current challenges, it must adopt a truly federal constitution.

“The divisiveness, the struggling economy, widespread poverty, insecurity, and rampant corruption are among the significant issues facing Nigeria.”

Mr Anyaoku stressed that “for the sake of preserving our nation, the federal government and National Assembly must heed this universal lesson without further delay.”

“As many will recall, Nigeria was more united, stable, and on a path of development under that constitution until military intervention in January 1966 brought in a unitary system, which, in various forms, has persisted to this day,” Mr Anyaoku noted.