Jonathan promises Nigerians a people-oriented constitution

The President spoke at the maiden “Presidential Retreat for Civil Society Organisations and Professional Associations”, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

According to him, in a true democracy, sovereignty lies with the people and the people should be given the opportunity to create the constitution that governs their daily affairs.

``I believe that a Constitution worthy of our efforts must originate from the people themselves and bear clear imprint of their contributions.

``Constitution-making or review in a democracy should not be an elitist undertaking. It must be processed through a strategic and far-reaching consultation with the people. That is the spirit of democracy.

``A Constitution that can guarantee true democracy must flow from the ideas and experiences of the people, not just the people in the corridors of power, but also the people in the market places and in the public squares.

``The attraction of democracy is that it affords the people the chance to contribute to the design of institutions that determine the quality of their lives. The Constitution is the most fundamental building block of these institutions.’’

The President said the retreat was organised as part of the 2012 Independence Anniversary and in order to enhance the foundation of Nigeria’s nationhood.

He said government acknowledged that civil society groups had tremendous knowledge of constitutional review and therefore ready to partner with them in the amendment process.

Jonathan said the retreat was to enable participants to share knowledge.

“We have brought you together to share our passion for the transformation of the institutions of the Nigerian state.

``We have not brought you to this retreat to negotiate any political settlement. We do not want to extract from you any commitment on any of the proposals for review of the Constitution.

“You have been invited to this retreat because you are close to the people and understand their fears and desires.

“There is a compelling need for us to work together in this historic enterprise of constitution making. We cannot complete the Constitutional review process until we hear all the voices of the people of Nigeria.’’

He urged the participants to contribute positively and meaningfully in the debate and assured them that their opinions and suggestions would be put to judicious use.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion and retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, had decried the constant amendments made to the Constitution.

He also faulted the modeling of the 1999 Constitution to that of America without considering our peculiar values and traditions.

``In my observation, I have never come across any constitution of any country that has been constantly battered as the Nigerian constitution.

``I keep on asking if there is any constitution that can survive for three years in Nigeria without being constantly criticised.’’

Belgore observed that the greatest problem with the country was constant internal instability in governance.

He said the country was endowed with human and natural resources that could transform it, adding: ``what this country has suffered from is not economic mismanagement but political instability.

``Our poverty level is caused by instability. We must have a constitution to allow for stability.

``If there I stability there is enough on the ground for the happiness and unity of Nigerians wherever they are and we shall be more stable, united and be able to make the country great.”

Belgore also assured that the country would not break up as predicted by pessimists