‎Nigeria’s problem is not about 1999 Constitution – IBM Haruna

A former Chairman of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Retired Maj.-Gen. IBM Haruna, has said that Nigeria’s problem is not solely about the 1999 Constitution.

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‎Haruna, who was also a member of the Constitutional Conference between 1988 and 1989, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

‎He said that the problems confronting the country were not necessarily created by the constitution ‘enacted or decreed in 1999’.

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‎The retired military officer, who was a member of the 1994 National Constitutional Conference Commission, said while the constitution was not perfect, it, however, made provisions for addressing the current challenges.

‎Among the provisions, he said, was the principle of separation of powers among the three organs of government.

‎“The problems that face us fundamentally and constitutionally are just evolving,” he said.

‎Haruna cited the current Nigerian population which he put at over 200, with about 400 ethnic groups, among which are the dominant ones and the minorities.

‎According to him,`they are all seeking for their rightful place and constitutionally-stipulated roles within the Federal Republic.

‎“But through processes and growth as well as the progressive development of social, political and economic processes, we will make changes; therefore, the constitution is not static.

‎“However, certain fundamentals have been provided for it in the structure, the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers and things like that.

‎“Each one has to play its role as conceived and provided for within the constitution and the laws of the federation,’’ he said.

‎Haruna, however, said that irrespective of the numerous challenges, Nigerians should prioritise what they want and how to go about it.

‎“We’ve decided on federalism; this is imperfect. We’ve decided on electoral bodies and the laws that govern them. The performance and implementation of the electoral law is also not perfect.

‎“We’ve equally decided on certain instrumentality of modern mechanisms or equipment for use during elections. It is all toward providing or making sure that elections are free, fair and dependable.

‎“But we know, from where we started, that ballot boxes were being snatched, and we have also experimented Option A4, with people queueing behind their candidates,’’ he said.

‎Haruna said there was no guarantee that those systems would not be faulted, particularly in an atmosphere where corruption and cheating prevailed.

‎The retired general said while there was no commitment to perfecting the procedures and processes, there could be guarantee that the rule of law and regulations would be followed.

‎He expressed concerns about the challenges being faced by some institutions in the country, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and political parties.

‎He avered that the situation could have been better if those institutions could be put in proper shape.

‎“Of course we see how elections in other places and countries are being carried out and the time during which results are announced.

‎“Take India, for example, with over a billion population; they are able to conduct elections and announce the results within the specified time,’’ he said.

‎According to him, the perfection of the forces and institutions starts with the people, including those expected to review the constitution.

‎“The people make the party; the people make the election; the people do the transactions that amount to corruption or defiling the election results.

‎“So, we ourselves, as a people, have to begin to change our perceptions,” he said.

‎Haruna called on Nigerians to do away with ethnic and personality biases, snatching of ballot boxes during elections and disefranchising in certain areas.

‎“Basically, we, the people who will enact the constitution, also have to sanitise ourselves,’’ he said. (NAN)