The Nigerian Constitution, which has undergone several revisions since the country's independence, has often been criticized for favoring the political and economic elite at the expense of the broader population. I’m going to cite 5 examples why Nigeria constitution only favor the elites and not the common Nigerians citizens.
- Concentration of Power: The Nigerian Constitution grants significant power to the federal government, with the president holding extensive executive authority. This centralization of power has enabled a small group of political elites to dominate the decision-making process.
- Weaknesses in Checks and Balances: There are concerns that the system of checks and balances between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches is not robust enough to effectively hold the political elite accountable.
- Marginalization of Minority Groups: The Constitution has been criticized for failing to adequately protect the rights and interests of minority ethnic, religious, and regional groups, who often feel underrepresented in the political process.
- Economic Policies Benefiting Elites: Economic and fiscal policies enshrined in the Constitution have been perceived as favoring the business interests of the political elite, rather than promoting broad-based economic development and social welfare.
- Barriers to Political Participation: Aspects of the electoral system and political party structures established by the Constitution may create high barriers for non-elite groups to meaningfully participate in the political process.
So to me the Nigerian Constitution is primarily serving the interests of the political elite and economic elite, rather than promoting more inclusive and equitable governance. And that is why I said the constitution should be abolished, If we truly want a country that work for every Nigerians and not just the elites.
Here are some potential solutions or reforms that could address the issues of the Nigerian Constitution favoring the political and economic elite:
1. Decentralization and Devolution of Power:
- Devolve more power and decision-making authority to state and local governments to reduce the concentration of power at the federal level.
- Establish stronger federalist structures that give more autonomy to states and regions.
2. Strengthening Checks and Balances:
- Implement robust mechanisms to improve the oversight and accountability of the executive branch by the legislative and judicial branches.
- Ensure the independence and capacity of the judiciary to effectively check the power of the political elite.
3. Protecting Minority Rights:
- Enshrine stronger constitutional protections for the rights and representation of ethnic, religious, and regional minority groups.
- Establish inclusive decision-making processes that give marginalized groups a meaningful voice.
4. Economic Reforms:
- Revise economic and fiscal policies to prioritize broad-based development, job creation, and social welfare over the narrow interests of the elite.
- Promote policies that reduce economic inequality and ensure more equitable distribution of resources.
5. Political Reforms:
- Implement electoral reforms to reduce barriers to political participation and create more level playing field for non-elite groups.
- Strengthen regulations on political party financing and candidate selection to reduce the dominance of wealthy elites.
- Enhance transparency and anti-corruption measures in the political system.
6. Constitutional Review Process:
- Establish an inclusive, participatory process to review and amend the constitution to make it more representative of the diverse interests of all Nigerians.
- Ensure the constitutional review process is not dominated by the existing political elite.
These are some potential avenues for constitutional reforms and solutions that could help address the issues of elite capture and lack of inclusive governance in Nigeria. A combination of political, economic, and structural changes would likely be required to create a more equitable and representative system.
Credit: Hon. Abiodun Kayode