Is our constitution a fraud?

“We, the people of Nigeria, having firmly and solemnly resolved, to live together in unity and harmony as ONE INDIVISIBLE AND INDISSOLUBLE SOVEREIGN NATION under God, dedicated to the promotion of inter-African solidarity, world peace, international co-operation and understanding; and to provide for a CONSTITUTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING THE GOOD GOVERNMENT AND WELFARE OF ALL PERSONS IN OUR COUNTRY, ON THE PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE; AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSOLIDATING THE UNITY OF OUR PEOPLE, do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves the following constitution” The paragraph above is the preamble to the 1999 and 1979 constitution(s) of the federal republic of Nigeria. While the ideals set forth are as noble as you can get, there is a fundamental flaw. It is a blatant lie. We the people of Nigeria DID NOT firmly and solemnly resolve, to live together in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under God. We DID NOT promulgate the decree no. 24 which brought this constitution into force. The ‘Provisional Ruling Council of Nigeria’ (PRCN) did under the leadership of General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Our input was not sought during the drafting process, neither was our explicit consent sought. To say the constitution is based on a falsehood would be incorrect. The truth is; we accepted the constitution through our non-resistance cum participation in its provisions. During the February 1999 general elections which kick started the transition program overseen by general Abubakar to usher in the ‘new’ constitution; the 1999 constitution which is actually an abridged version of the 1979 constitution which was abolished by the military in 1984. About 50 million of an estimated 120 million Nigerians registered to vote in that election. In a country where minors and seniors constitute about 50% of the population, 50 million adults participating in any exercise is probably as much as you can ever get. THE 1999 CONSTITUTION IS AS LEGAL AS THE EXISTENCE OF NIGERIA AS A NATION. Nigeria was also created without the consent of majority of Nigerians but eventually, our actions signify acceptance of the status quo. We even went as far as fighting a civil war to keep the country intact. The obvious truth is that we have a constitution that has widespread acceptance; lasted more than any other we have had in this country. Therefore we should stop blaming the constitution and point the finger where it should point at; you and me. I firmly believe our constitution is good enough if the people we elect can really play by the rules laid down within it. We also as the electorate have to find ways to hold our candidates accountable to us because even God’s own constitution will not work if we do not uphold it. I know my last statement may have offended some religious people. I therefore offer my sincerest apology though I am not sorry because I believe I have made my point.