By Editor
In a scathing press release dated May 31, 2024, the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS) has blasted Akin Fapohunda’s draft bill aimed at substituting the 1999 Constitution. Describing the document as a fraudulent and sacrilegious proposal, NINAS accuses Fapohunda and his co-conspirators of attempting to smuggle a new constitution through the back door, bypassing the legitimate constitutional process. This sensational revelation has sparked a storm of controversy, as NINAS exposes the machinations behind this covert operation and reaffirms its commitment to genuine constitutional reconstruction.
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A Bogus Document with Dark Intentions
On May 30, 2024, the internet buzzed with the circulation of a dubious document dated May 29, 2024. Titled “A Bill for an Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the bill, purportedly authored by Akin Fapohunda, bears Nigeria’s Coat of Arms. NINAS wasted no time in denouncing this document as patently bogus and a blatant attempt at grand deceit. Fapohunda, described as a “notorious agent of darkness,” is accused of attempting to replace the already contentious 1999 Constitution with an even more fraudulent one.
NINAS Exposes the Conspiracy
In response to the flood of public inquiries about this illicit draft bill, NINAS has released a comprehensive statement detailing the sharp resemblance between Fapohunda’s proposal and previous sacrilegious attempts to manipulate Nigeria’s constitutional framework. In December 2023, Olisa Agbakoba publicly proposed to Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, a scheme for the National Assembly to unilaterally write and enact a new constitution. This proposal, made in the presence of Nigeria’s “interim” President Bola Tinubu, was promptly rebuked by NINAS.
In early 2024, Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, audaciously declared that the National Assembly would write a new constitution within 24 months. This statement further compounded the confusion and controversy surrounding Nigeria’s constitutional future. Now, with Fapohunda’s latest proposition, NINAS is convinced that there is a coordinated effort to create the impression that the National Assembly is indeed processing a bill to introduce a new, unnegotiated constitution.
Treasonous Acts and Grand Deceit
NINAS does not mince words in its condemnation of these actions. The use of Nigeria’s Coat of Arms on Fapohunda’s document is seen as a deliberate attempt to lend legitimacy to an illegitimate proposal. NINAS asserts that the National Assembly, or its principal officers, are part of a conspiracy to deceive the Nigerian public. This, according to NINAS, is a treasonable act.
The organization is particularly alarmed by the triangular interface between Agbakoba’s December 2023 proposal, Kalu’s February 2024 declaration, and Fapohunda’s May 2024 draft bill. This sequence of events, NINAS argues, reveals a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional integrity.
The Fraud Alert
NINAS’s response to Fapohunda’s draft bill is rooted in its February 28, 2024, Reprimand to the National Assembly, titled “FRAUD ALERT-2.” This alert followed an earlier warning issued in December 2023, when NINAS rebuked Olisa Agbakoba for his sacrilegious proposal. These alerts underscore NINAS’s unwavering stance that the National Assembly lacks the authority to unilaterally create a new constitution.
In its December 16, 2020, Constitutional Force Majeure Proclamation, NINAS made it clear that the constituent peoples of Nigeria have never agreed upon or made any constitution themselves, contrary to the claims made in the preamble of the fraudulent 1999 Constitution. NINAS posits unequivocally that constitution-making requires constituent powers, which the National Assembly does not possess.
A Historical Context of Deceit
NINAS’s rejection of the 1999 Constitution is based on the indisputable fraudulence of its basis. The preamble falsely claims that the constituent peoples of Nigeria firmly and solemnly agreed to be in one indivisible and indissoluble political union. This fraudulent claim, coupled with the illicit enactment of the constitution by Military Decree No. 24 of 1999, has long been a point of contention.
The 9th National Assembly formally admitted that it lacked the power to make a constitution for Nigeria. Despite this, the 10th National Assembly appears to be following a misguided script, driven by ignorance, arrogance, or mischief, to manufacture a new constitution.
The Sovereignty of the People
NINAS emphasizes that the constituent powers required to make federating constitutional arrangements reside exclusively with the constituent peoples of Nigeria. The National Assembly’s legislative mandate is limited to law-making and does not extend to constitution-making. Any attempt by the National Assembly to usurp these powers is viewed as a compounding of the treason and fraud of 1999.
Reaffirming NINAS’s Position
NINAS’s statement of May 31, 2024, reiterates its December 2023 Rejoinder and Note of Caution to the National Assembly. This document firmly rejects any new constitution or constitutional instrument made by the National Assembly, pursuant to any provisions of the 1999 Constitution. NINAS makes it clear that no alphabet will be taken from the fraudulent 1999 Constitution, and any attempt to foist another illegitimate constitution on Nigeria will be met with staunch opposition.
The Call for Genuine Constitutional Reconstruction
NINAS invites the government, members of the National Assembly, political parties, and the general public to engage with its 5-Point Proposition for the immediate constitutional reconstruction of Nigeria. This proposition is seen as a necessary step to replace the endless voyage in the ocean of affliction that unitary Nigeria has been sailing for decades.
Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads
Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The fraudulent attempts to manipulate the constitutional process underscore the urgent need for genuine and inclusive constitutional reconstruction. NINAS’s vehement opposition to the back-door substitution of the 1999 Constitution highlights the stakes involved in this struggle for Nigeria’s future.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, the call for a transparent and legitimate constitutional process becomes ever more critical. The constituent peoples of Nigeria must reclaim their sovereignty and actively participate in shaping the nation’s constitutional future. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but with unwavering determination, Nigeria can navigate this turbulent period and emerge stronger and more united.
Final Thoughts
The saga of Nigeria’s constitutional crisis is a testament to the enduring struggle for genuine self-determination and democratic governance. NINAS’s relentless advocacy for constitutional integrity and sovereignty is a beacon of hope for a nation in search of its true identity. As the world watches, Nigeria’s journey towards constitutional reconstruction will undoubtedly shape the future of its people and its place on the global stage.
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