Ex-Head of State Abdulsalami calls for removal of military decrees from 1999 Constitution
Former Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar urged the removal of military decrees incorporated into Nigeria's Constitution to strengthen democracy, stating such changes should happen through democratic processes. The retired army general made this call in his autobiography "Call of Duty" launched in Abuja last Saturday, acknowledging that some provisions were embedded in the 1999 document but arguing they should be amended to align with democratic principles.
Abdulsalami, who supervised Nigeria's transition to civilian rule in 1999, defended the Constitution's legitimacy while admitting it requires updates to reflect Nigerians' aspirations. He specifically addressed criticisms of the Land Use Act and NYSC provisions, arguing these criticisms are largely misplaced. Since 1999, the National Assembly has amended the Constitution five times, though some proposed changes were rejected at state legislatures.
The current review, led by the Constitution Review Committee chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, aims to complete before December 2026. Abdulsalami emphasized that constitutional democracy allows for continuous adjustments through proper procedures, noting that even celebrated pre-independence constitutions were never subjected to referendums.
This constitutional review process affects all Nigerians as citizens, taxpayers, and governed subjects. Understanding proposed changes helps you engage meaningfully in civic discourse and prepare for potential policy shifts that could impact land ownership, youth service requirements, and federal-state powers. The review timeline extends through next year—consider following the process through official National Assembly channels.