Former Secretary -General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and former minister of Foreign Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu(Rtd.) have called for restructuring of Nigeria and amendment of the Nigerian constitution to create true federalism, noting that genuine Constitution would bring about good governance as witnessed in Enugu state.
They made the call on Tuesday, during the 14Th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Annual Lecture 2025 Themed, “The Imperative of Good Governance: Nigeria in a Global Comparative perspective” organised by the Board of Youth Affairs International Foundation at the International Conference Centre , Enugu.
The duo in their separate speeches lauded the Governor of Enugu state, Dr Peter Mbah on his good governance in the state.
Anyaoku described Governor Mbah as ” a truly performing Governor” . He said the Governor was genuinely and quietly transforming Enugu state.
He pointed out that visionary leadership and speedy development, such as being witnessed in Enugu State under Mbah, would become a mere routine with a genuine federal constitution.
“Allow me the privilege of describing him as a truly performing governor. Yesterday, I was given glimpses of projects that have either been completed or in active progress towards completion. I saw, for example, this magnificent International Conference Centre. I saw an array of CNG buses at the Okpara Square. I saw the Smart Green Schools, which I gather that the governor’s plan is to replicate in every electoral constituency (wards), and I learnt that there are as many as 260 of them. I was also able to visit a state-of-the-art bus station, the Holy Ghost Terminal.
“So, I would say that Governor Peter Mbah is genuinely transforming Enugu State, which used to be described as a civil service state. He is transforming it into an industrial, educational hub and agricultural innovation.
“The surprising thing is that all these developments are going on with little publicity. I had expected, as my experience visiting many other states in this country has shown me that in places where you have two to three projects going, you will have massive publicity of them. But not so in Enugu. So, Governor Peter Mbah is not just a performing governor, but he is also a quite and noiseless performing governor,” he said.
Pix: Emeka Anyaoku
Focusing on the Theme,” Good governance, ” Anyaoku said Nigeria is a pluralistic country which was struggling with her pluralism and numerous challenges to be a nation, with success and failure of other pluralistic countries to learn from..He said that many countries that failed to address their pluralism with genuine federal constitution had since disintegrated.
“So, I have been quite consistent in advocating for a new democratic constitution for Nigeria, which addresses our plurality. This country was more peaceful and was developing faster in the first six years of our independence because it had a genuine federal constitution, which allowed the four regions to take care of their regional development, their social amenities,y education, health, and internal security,” the 92 years elder statesman said.
Pix: Prof Gambari
In his Keynote address, the Guest Speaker and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, called for a radical restructuring of the Nigerian federal arrangement to s devolve power to the people, a rejig of the leadership recruitment process, retooling of the state as a guarantor of security, unity, and ideals of equal citizenship as well as fashioning out of a new elite consensus, a complete overhaul of political parties, and a greater attention to constitutionalism, among others.
In his address, the Governor of Enugu state, Dr . Peter Mbah said ,“good governance – or lack of it – is often the fine margins between an ascendant state and one on a downward trajectory.” He, therefore, charged leaders to move beyond the realm of ideas into the realm of practicality and renewed his call for people-centred governance and investment in the youth.
“Good intentions alone do not translate to good leadership. Good leadership proceeds from the understanding that the people should be the centerpiece of state policies and projects,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, and Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd.), stressed the need for transformative leadership, which he said could not happen under the present structure of Nigeria.
Pix: Gen Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd.)
“This is why I have long been advocating for the restructuring of Nigeria to become a proper federation, allowing State autonomy and bringing governance closer to the people. This also allows access to the mineral, natural, and human resources for their development.
“I stand for respect for the Rule of Law, the need for a forthright and independent Judiciary, a more effective, and responsive military, police and intelligence services.
“I also stand for the creation of State Police and local policing for our communities. And above all, a school system that allows relevant human resource development,” Nwachukwu stated.
He said, ” it is through our shared commitment and collaborative efforts that we can envisage and actualize a Nigeria where leadership is not a position of privilege but a mandate of service.
“Together, we can chart a course towards a future where governance is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people “, Gen Nwachukwu said.
The event attracted the political class and students from different parts of the state.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama