Prominent Nigerians Oppose Fapohunda, Seek Restructuring, True Democracy, Republicanism

DR AKIN FAPOHUNDA 

The Movement for National Reform, MNR, today rationalised its hostility towards the actions of the initiator of a draft bill seeking the restructuring and new model of government in Nigeria, Dr Akin Fapohunda.

‘’The attention of MNR has been drawn to a strident advocacy that seeks to convert an annexure of decree 24 of 1999 to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, CFRN. 

“The champion of the said advocacy is Dr Akin Fapohunda, who has zealously offered himself as a consultant to Mr President by substantiating a draft earlier rumoured in the public and denied by the government. 

“This is curious and worrisome as such a matter of national interest affects the collective destiny of all of us as citizens of Nigeria.’’

The movement also contended that it would not be improper to lift the suspension of the 1963 CFRN to amend it with contemporary realities for seamless reversion to true democracy and republicanism.

‘’Let it be known that We the People in MNR share the same sentiments about the need to restructure the FRN to one that works for all, but we differ significantly in strategy with the position of Dr Akin Fapohunda. 

“We wish to caution that the art of statecraft requires cautious attention to details to eschew social dislocation of the life and livelihoods of citizens by succumbing to fleeting clannish sentiments. 

“We hold the views that all Nigerians will benefit from lifting the suspension of the 1963 CFRN to amend it with contemporary realities for seamless reversion to true democracy and republicanism. We firmly stand on this premise.’’

The Movement in a statement in Abuja accused Fapohunda of seeking to convert an annexure of decree 24 of 1999 to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN).

‘’The catchphrase, ‘We the People’ is the DNA from which any democratic constitution must draw its life. 

“As a result, it is important to interrogate the position of Dr Akin Fapohunda in seeking for a conversion of an annexure of Decree 24 of 1999 to the CFRN via a private member Bill at the National Assembly (NASS),’’ the statement added.

Titled: An addendum to the Memorandum of the Movement for National Reform, MNR, to the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee of April 6, 2024, the Movement said it was unfortunate that Fapohunda who has zealously offered himself as a consultant to Mr President descended so low to making unguarded statements.

‘’MNR hereby wishes to consider the altruism of Dr Fapohunda’s motivation against other schools of thought in the ongoing public discourse on the CFRN. 

“It is very revealing and indeed interesting that NINAS with over 25 years of research and advocacy issuing a brand new CFRN and not such a quick fix of Dr Fapohunda. 

“MNR's view on the subject is rooting for a repeal of four junta decrees to pave the way for the lifting of the suspension of the 1963 republican CFRN for amendment with contemporary realities to rejuvenate the existing presidential style federation akin to that of the USA plus necessary modifications that suit our cultural environment. The silence of Patriots about their preference for the 2014 Confab report cum draft constitution should not be disregarded,’’ the group added.

The statement signed by MNR Constitution Review Committee Chair, Prof. O. Igho Natufe and Secretary, Dr Yemi Adegoke reiterated that the MNR is focused on the democratic exigencies for NASS to restore the suspended 1963 republican CFRN for amendment rather than the so-called 1999 CFRN.

‘’Our stand gives due recognition to NASS as elected legislative representatives of We the People’. 

“The solo effort of Dr Akin Fapohunda in his second coming on the subject is curious. In his first coming of 2021, Dr Akin Fapohunda was Secretary of an erstwhile Eminent Elders Forum that made a presentation to NASS on 9/2/2021, which did not prosper. That exercise focused on the 1963 CFRN,’’ the statement posited.

The group said events so far pointed to the fact that it is obvious that the tackle act of Fapohunda is a plot to redefine the federating units from the existing structure of littoral states to shadow notional geopolitical regions.

‘’At his second coming in 2024, the same Dr Akin Fapohunda position has shifted from his support for the 1963 CFRN to now push a narrative that seeks to convert an annexure of decree 24 of 1999 as the CFRN and to redefine the federating units from the existing structure of littoral states to shadow notional geopolitical regions. 

“How a draft by an individual will be different from decrees by few under the military that has rendered the democratic tenets of the nation impotent should be of deep concern to every true democrat,’’ the group maintained.

The Movement urged Fapohunda to stop throwing caution to the wind.

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