Christian Elders Push for New Constitution, Power Devolution to End Terrorism

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has continued to push for a new constitution that would devolve the concentration of power at the centre to federating units in order to enable them take charge of their security.

In view of this, they have pledged to liaise with the ethnic nationalities and commence the process of giving Nigeria a new constitution in 2024.

The National Secretary of NCEF, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, reeled out the suggestions in a communique issued after its meeting on the ‘State of The Nation: Racial Displacement Invasion’, chaired by former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Samuel Gani, where they called on the indigenous ethnic nationalities to come together to renegotiate Nigeria.

The communique read: “The Forum of Christian Elders alerted Nigerians that the nationwide activities of terrorists are deliberate acts of displacing indigenous ethnic nationalities from their ancestral lands for non-indigenes and foreigners to occupy the lands. The owners of the land end up as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their own country.

“The relentless attacks of the terrorists and the inability of the government to check them have placed every indigenous ethnic nationality at the risk of racial extermination.

“As an immediate step to halt further destruction of lives and property, NCEF advocated a new constitution for Nigeria without any further delay, rather than an amended constitution. The Christian Elders aligned with the conference resolution of the Patriots Group in March 2024 that Nigeria requires a new constitution, not an amended constitution.

“The new constitution would devolve power, which is currently concentrated at the centre, to the federating units and enable them to take charge of their security.

“The conference pointed out that the role of the National Assembly is to make laws not to produce a constitution for the country. The responsibility of producing the constitution rests on the ethnic nationalities, not on the National Assembly. participants called on the ethnic nationalities to organise and give Nigeria a new constitution.

“The meeting encouraged NCEF to liaise with the ethnic nationalities and commence the process of giving Nigeria a new constitution in 2024. The meeting noted the comments of the representative of NINAS at the event and agreed that the five propositions of the group aimed at resolving the constitutional dispute in Nigeria should receive fresh consideration by the ethnic nationalities.”

Apart from Gani and Emmanuel, other members of NCEF are Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North); Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South); Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Hon. Treasurer; Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. (Mrs.) Kate Okparaeke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Hon. Justice James Ogebe (rtd); Elder Moses Ihonde, Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Nat Okoro, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) and Elder Matthew Owojaiye.

Others are DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, late Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Dr. Taiwo Idemudia (Diaspora), Elder Minso Gadzama, Apostle Bulus Musa Kewa, Admiral Peter Adeniyi (rtd), Hon. Justice Goddy Anunihu (rtd) and Chief Sir Ferdinand Anikwe.