How Tinubu, Akande, Osoba, And Other Failed Nigerians In 1999 — Adebanjo

Pa Ayo Adebanjo

President Bola Tinubu and his fellow South-West governors when Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, according to Afenifere chieftain and elder statesman Pa Ayo Adebanjo, failed Nigerians because they were too afraid to demand a people's constitution when they had the chance.

The nonagenarian appeared as a guest on Channels Television's inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Friday.

Adebanjo stated that Tinubu, now in office as the Commander-in-Chief of the Federation, has the chance to rewrite the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having failed to push on federalism while serving as governor of Lagos State in 1999.

Adebanjo stated that Tinubu, who held the office of governor of Lagos State from May 1999 to May 2007, was one of the six governors of the South-West who "chickened out" of calling for a Sovereign National Conference after Abdulsalami Abubakar, the country's then-military Head of State, made the decision to usher in democracy following the ouster of former military dictator Sani Abacha.

According to the elder statesman, Tinubu has the chance to ensure that Nigerians choose a constitution that they can live under and correct the mistakes of the past.

In contrast to what he called the “military-imposed constitution” that is still in effect in the nation 24 years later, the elder statesman claimed Tinubu now has the chance to correct the mistakes of the past by making sure that Nigerians decide on a constitution they agree upon to govern their coexistence.

He stated that a new people's constitution would put a stop to some of the nation's existential issues, particularly the threat of insecurity because it would allow for the establishment of state police.

Looking back, the retired attorney stated, “There was a clamour for a Sovereign National Conference at that time (in the buildup to the 1999 election). The military said they were going back to the barracks and we said, 'Well, go back to the barracks with your constitution; it's your baggage and return us to where you met us. If you are not going to do that, schedule another conference, and we will agree on how to live together.”