OLANIPEKUN CALLS FOR REFERENDUM, WANTS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO HALT CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

By Ademola Adekusibe
October 21, 2025

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has called on the National Assembly to suspend ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution, urging instead for a national referendum to produce a people-driven constitution.

Olanipekun made the call while delivering the convocation lecture at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, titled “Nigeria Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Imperative of a Sober and Definitive Recalibration.”

He described the 1999 Constitution as a “military albatross” imposed on Nigerians without their consent, noting that it had outlived its usefulness and no longer reflected the nation’s diversity and realities.

The senior advocate argued that repeated amendments could not solve Nigeria’s structural problems, stressing that only a new constitution emerging from broad national consultation and a referendum could guarantee true federalism and equitable development.

Olanipekun proposed a transitional phase extending to 2031, during which elections could continue under the current constitution, pending the drafting and adoption of a new one through a people-driven process.

He maintained that power remains overly concentrated at the centre, calling for genuine devolution of authority to states and communities, alongside the creation of state and community policing systems to strengthen internal security.

Olanipekun also cited global examples such as referendums in Italy, Britain, and other countries, where citizens directly determined major national decisions, insisting that sovereignty ultimately resides with the people.

His remarks come as the National Assembly continues the process of reviewing sections of the 1999 Constitution, an exercise he believes will not address the fundamental issues affecting Nigeria’s governance structure.