Your Periodic Attempts To Review 1999 Constitution, A Waste Of Resources, Gov Diri Tells Lawmakers

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has faulted the repeated efforts by the National Assembly to review the 1999 Constitution, describing them as a wasteful venture that continues to drain national resources without delivering meaningful results. Governor Diri made the remarks on Thursday at the South-South zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution. Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor stated that past attempts to amend the constitution had not yielded the desired transformation, adding that the core problems of Nigeria remain unaddressed due to the fundamentally flawed nature of the existing document. He said the 1999 Constitution, which was enacted by the military, lacks popular legitimacy and has failed to reflect the genuine aspirations and diversity of the Nigerian people. He argued that constitutional amendment has become a ritual with no real intention of structural change. “We have had these sessions over and over. The same stories are told, the same recommendations are made, but they end up as mere documents gathering dust,” Diri said. “What the country needs is not just another amendment, but a new constitution that truly reflects the will and aspirations of Nigerians.” Diri stressed the need for a new, people-oriented constitution through the convocation of a national dialogue or constituent assembly. He said only a fresh process driven by the people can effectively address issues such as marginalisation, insecurity, restructuring, and resource control. He called on lawmakers to look beyond routine amendments and focus on fundamental reforms that can reposition the country towards true federalism, fairness, and equity. According to him, the current centralised system undermines development and local governance. The governor’s remarks echo concerns from across the country that constitutional reviews have become an expensive cycle that achieves little, with billions spent over the years on public hearings and consultations that have failed to produce transformative change