Stakeholders have suggested adopting the 1964 Republican Constitution and the 2014 National Confab Report as platforms for discussions of a new Constitution, pointing out the illegitimacy of the 1999 Constitution, in response to a National Constitution Dialogue organized by the think-tank known as The Patriots.

This was stated in a press release that The Patriots’ general secretary, Olawale Okunniyi, signed on Sunday.

Those present at the meeting also decided that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and its particular brand of presidential government had encouraged a “politics of alienation and increasing appetite for state capture,” which had caused discontent throughout the nation.

They further decided that the Constitution lacked legitimacy that could not be gained through amendments.

“The national dialogue concluded that: the prevailing 1999 Constitution and its brand of presidential system fosters politics of alienation and increasing appetite for state capture amongst the ruling elite to the exclusion of a large section of Nigerian citizens; leading to disenchantment across the country, while also asserting that the constitution, by its flawed origin, lacks legitimacy, which it cannot acquire from any number of amendments.

“The dialogue also affirmed that the draft Constitution of the 2014 National Conference and the 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria, by their representative and popular character, are generally acceptable national documents as platforms for popular deliberations and consensual recommendations towards birthing a new democratic people’s constitution for Nigeria through an elective Constituents Assembly or national referendum to be initiated by the Federal Government through relevant provisions of the extant laws of Nigeria”, the communique read.

Along with other recommendations, the Forum called for a sincere commitment to abolishing political impunity, restructuring the nation’s governance structure and system to address the imbalance in the current federalism, and reforming the security infrastructure by establishing state police.

“There is a need for a genuine commitment to ending the culture of political impunity which engenders corruption, promotes monetisation of politics and undermines competence and commitment to patriotism.

“Urgent holistic appraisal of the security situation in Nigeria to engender decisive and robust intervention in the pervasive insecurity ravaging the country.

“Reform of existing security infrastructure through the creation of state police and localisation of police command structure to enhance inclusive participation in community and neighbourhood security across Nigeria.” It added