Group Urges Nigerians to Demand New Constitution or Reversion to Republican Document

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has called on all Nigerians to demand for a new constitution, or at least, call on the executive and legislative arms of government to revert to the 1963 Republican Constitution.

It says a new constitution will benefit all Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnic affiliation and will promote justice in the country.

In a statement titled, “Resignation of INEC Chairman: A Call for Caution” and signed by the chairman, Governing Council of CSMN, Sunday Oibe, and the Chief Executive Officer, Bosun Emmanuel, the group said the call is in the wake of the demands made from certain quarters for the resignation of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Joseph Amupitan.

It says rather than demand for the resignation of a government official in a tone that smacks unpleasantly of religious intolerance, the decommissioning of the 1999 Constitution, which it alleged does not pass the test of a valid sovereign document for Nigeria needs to be changed.

It also noted the matter of Sharia has been carefully examined by legal luminaries in the country and their position does not support its insertion into the constitution.

It added that attempts to deepen the religious imbalance when the country should be seeking healing and fairness will only drag it deeper into mutual suspicion and sectarian violence.

The statement reads: “Instead of emphasizing what divides Nigeria, all citizens should jointly demand the decommissioning of the 1999 Constitution and the introduction of a new constitution for Nigeria, or at the least, a reversal to the 1963 Republican Constitution.

“A new constitution will benefit all Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnic affiliation.  We encourage the SCSN to join in the demand for a new constitution for the promotion of justice in the country rather than demand the resignation of a government official in a tone that smacks unpleasantly of religious intolerance.

“Sharia criminal law was inserted into the 1999 Constitution without national consensus. The 1999 Constitution itself does not pass the test of a valid sovereign document for Nigeria. It was neither negotiated nor approved by Nigerians. “It was unilaterally imposed on the country by a Muslim Military Head of State who used his position to unjustly promote his religion above other religions in the country”.