An obvious need for reform in the Nigerian’s constitution to address lack of sufficient accountability mechanisms for leaders has been hinted at by Senator Seriake Dickson.
Speaking at Channels Television bulletin, the Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly stated that the 1999 Constitution inadvertently empowered leaders at the expense of accountability.
Having been the governor of Bayelsa State before his emergence as a Senator, Dickson expressed concern over the constitution’s framing, which, according to him, elevates the President and governors to the status of ’emperors’ by failing to incorporate adequate checks and balances on the use of power.
In his words: “The 1999 Constitution created emperors as President and governors because the drafters of the document omitted accountability in terms of the use of power by public office holders,” Dickson noted, emphasizing the urgent need for constitutional reforms that would enforce greater accountability among Nigeria’s elected officials.
“There are 37 emperors because of the insufficient mechanism for accountability built into the constitution, which is what we must address. Accountability in terms of the use of power,” Dickson elaborated.
The Senator, while speaking, also hinted on the contentious issue of financial autonomy for local governments, a topic that has seen considerable debate and resistance among state governors.
Attributing the obstruction to the overarching power the constitution grants state leaders, underscoring the necessity for a recalibration of power dynamics within the country’s governance structure.
