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We need brand new constitution to restructure Nigeria: Sowore

The presidential candidate of the AAC said that the current 1999 Constitution was not in the best interest of Nigerians.

• January 7, 2023
Omoyele Sowore
Omoyele Sowore. [CREDIT: Tech Crunch]

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), says that the best way to “restructure” Nigeria was to have a brand new constitution for the country.

Mr Sowore, who is also the founder and publisher of the online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, said the current 1999 Constitution, wasn’t in Nigerians’ best interest.

“Restructuring is another aphorism for confusion. The best way to restructure Nigeria is to first have a brand new constitution.

“The constitution at hand wasn’t sovereign. If it was sovereign, the conference itself would have determined how the constitution would have been promulgated,” he said on Saturday.

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), comprising Afenifere, Ohanaze Ndigbo, and Middle Belt Forum, has been at the forefront of the campaign for the restructuring of the country.

Aside from the Pan socio-political groups, political pundits have also called for the restructuring of the country, noting that for peace to reign in any society, people must be involved actively.

Speaking further on a political programme aired on Fresh FM, Ibadan, Mr Sowore said major political parties in the country run on “stomach infrastructure” in the guise of having political structures to win elections.

He also stated that politicians have turned politics into a business venture, noting that many now see politics as a means to amass wealth rather than working.

“Politics should not be for political jobbers, those who see politics as a job to feed themselves to survive. Politicians should also have a dignified job.

“As a politician, I am also a journalist and I have taught as a lecturer in two universities in New York, US.”

According to him “They (politicians) come after four years to discuss elections in the neighborhood and when the transaction is over, they move on to only return after four years again. This hasn’t worked for the country.”

The AAC flagbearer noted that the ideologies of his political party had always been different from others and had really been about personal convictions.

Mr Sowore added that “It is based on ideology and based on personalities who are of convictions. People who have distinguished themselves radically, who believe Nigeria should not be run this way.”

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