The call for another constitution review in Nigeria has once again ignited debates among the public and political elites. Many Nigerians perceive the exercise as another wasteful venture by the National Assembly, whose members live in affluence while the average citizen continues to struggle for economic survival. Senator Ali Ndume, a prominent figure in the Senate, offers insights into this issue and sheds light on the role of governance in tackling the nation's challenges.
Ndume candidly acknowledges the disconnect between the lawmakers and the general populace. While democracy, especially the presidential system Nigeria adopts, is inherently expensive, he stresses that this should not be a blanket justification for unchecked spending. The National Assembly’s budget has surged from less than N100 billion to around N300 billion, a figure that represents a fraction of Nigeria’s N30 trillion national budget. However, given the harsh economic realities faced by citizens, there is growing concern over the lifestyle of lawmakers. Ndume agrees that the National Assembly’s expenses should be reassessed to align more closely with the people’s struggles.
Ndume argues that Nigeria’s problem does not primarily lie in the constitution but in governance. According to him, the fundamental purpose of government ensuring the security and welfare of citizens is already clearly outlined in Section 14 of the Nigerian constitution. Rather than endlessly tinkering with the constitution, the focus should be on strengthening government institutions to deliver on these mandates.
The three branches of government the executive, judiciary, and legislature must work independently yet interdependently to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice. Without strong institutions, no system of government will work effectively, Ndume asserts. He emphasizes that even in countries with less than perfect systems, good governance is achievable if the institutions are robust and impartial.
While federalism has become a hot topic in the ongoing debate, Ndume feels it is not Nigeria’s most pressing concern. Though federalism might be a good idea, he cautions against putting too much focus on it at the expense of good governance. Whether Nigeria practices federalism or not, the key is to ensure accountability, equity, and justice. These are the pillars that will make any system work, not just a change in structure.
On the issue of state police, Ndume remains firm in his opposition. Instead of creating state police forces, he advocates for strengthening the existing police force. He points out that Nigeria currently has less than 400,000 police officers for a population of over 230 million, which is grossly inadequate. Rather than splitting resources between federal and state police, Ndume proposes increasing the number of police personnel, improving their training, equipment, and motivation to enhance security.
Local government autonomy is another contentious issue. While the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of autonomy, Ndume warns that it cannot be implemented in isolation. Many local governments lack the financial capacity to function independently, hence the need for joint accounts. This is particularly true in states like Borno, where some local governments can’t even pay their teachers salaries. Ndume supports local government autonomy but believes that for it to be effective, local governments must first become financially viable.
The idea of allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections also finds favor with Ndume. He sees no reason to create another commission when INEC, which already conducts presidential and governorship elections, can easily handle local government polls.
Corruption remains Nigeria’s greatest challenge, according to Ndume. The absence of proactive laws to combat corruption has allowed it to thrive, particularly in politics. The senator laments that despite his efforts to push for an Unexplained Wealth Act, which would require public officials to account for sudden wealth, such legislation has failed to gain traction in the National Assembly. He points out that in Nigeria, people can acquire wealth overnight without scrutiny, a phenomenon that would be questioned in other countries.
Ndume believes that the fight against corruption is being hampered by insincerity and a lack of fear of God among the political class. Until there are serious consequences for corruption, good governance will remain elusive.
Senator Ndume’s perspective on the constitution review and governance in Nigeria is clear: the country does not necessarily need a new constitution but stronger institutions. Whether it’s federalism, state police, or local government autonomy, none of these will work without robust institutions that uphold accountability, transparency, and justice. At the core of Nigeria’s challenges is corruption, and without a concerted effort to tackle this menace, the constitution review may just be another costly exercise with little to show for it.
For Nigeria to move forward, the focus should be on improving governance, not just changing the laws. Only then can the country begin to see real progress.