PHARMACIST (Dr) Paul Osogbe Enebeli, FPSN, FNAPHARM, EPCPHARM, FPCPHARM. He was a member of the 492 man-delegates to the 2014 National Conference, under former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration; a delegation that was adjudged an assembly of some of Nigeria’s best to review the 1999 Constitution.
Aside being a frank and blunt analyst of contemporary socio-economic and political issues in the country, he is a political mobilizer, a mentor and community leader. Above all, he is a fine, honest, and accomplished pharmacist, and a recipient of the University of Benin Doctor of Science, DSc (Honoris Causa.)
He was the Chairman, First Pharmacy Alumi Association, Homecoming; member, membership committee, Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy; member, Elders Forum, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; Delta State Chairman, Political and Legislative Action Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; Chairman, Convener Iconic Pharmacy Forum; member, Governing Council of Nigeria Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and Member, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria Accreditation Committee to Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan. He was also the pioneer Chairman, May and Baker Award for Excellence in Pharmacy; Chairman, Board of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; he moved the motion for the adoption of Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy degree) as a way of enhancing the overall competence and training of pharmacists in Nigeria. The list of the strategic roles he had played, and is still playing in advancing the Pharmacy profession in Nigeria and beyond is a long one. Little wonder, therefore, he has been described by many as a Pharmacist per excellence.
In this interview with the Manager, Special Project, EDNA EMENI on The POINTER Platform, he spoke on his role as a delegate at the 2014 National Conference, the rigors of amending the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, the problems with the constitution, the amendments/ recommendations made by the conference; the on-going constitutional conference, capping with an advice that the Conference should adopt the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference in its entirety. Excerpts.
The current National Assembly is proposing amendments to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. In your opinion, is there anything fundamentally wrong with that Constitution that may warrant any amendment(s)?
The 1999 Constitution, though it has served as our foundational legal framework for over two decades, was not the product of a broad-based, people-driven process. It was largely a military decree handed down at the dawn of our current democratic dispensation. Many of its provisions are either ambiguous, outdated, or inadequate in addressing the realities of Nigeria’s diverse and evolving society.
For example, issues around true federalism, resource control, devolution of powers, state policing, and local government autonomy have remained contentious, because the Constitution either glosses over them or centralizes too much authority at the federal level.
Therefore, amending the Constitution is both necessary and overdue if we want our legal framework to reflect the aspirations of Nigerians today.
Nigeria has had several constitution review exercises and committees in the past. As a member of one of such committees, what specific role did you play, and what were the key outcomes or recommendations?
I was a member of the 2014 national conference, set up by the government of Former President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR. The conference comprised of 492 delegates, representing undoubtedly the widest spectrum of membership of all constitutional conferences ever convened in Nigeria.
There were representatives of retired military and security personnel, retired Police Officers Association, retired state security and NIA officers, traditional rulers, retired civil servants, labour leaders, organized private sector, youth organizations, National Council of Women’s Societies, Market Women Associations, FIDA, WINBIZ, political parties, religious organizations, people with disabilities, CSO’s, the academia, the delegates from the 6 geo-political zones and many more.
We met for 120 days, discussions were robust, convivial and genial; and almost all decisions were arrived at by consensus. The South-South caucus of which I was a member met regularly at the AIT, every night throughout the conference and most decisions taken were to promote true federalism and sustain the unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria.
Constitution a l amendments require the approval of two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before any proposed changes can take effect. To that effect, the National Assembly has indicated its readiness to transmit the current review report to all 36 State Assemblies before December 2025. Realistically, how likely is it that this two-thirds threshold will be met?
Meeting that threshold is always a challenge because constitutional amendments in Nigeria are deeply political. State Assemblies often act in line with the positions of their governors and party leaders, rather than based on independent deliberation.
That said, if there is a strong political will at the federal and state levels, and if the amendments align with popular demands like more local control or revenue fairness, it is possible to reach two-thirds.
However, contentious proposals, like state police or resource control, may struggle to gain consensus. Timing is also critical. With 2027 elections approaching, political interests might overshadow objective deliberations.
Having previously served on a Constitution Review Committee, if you had the opportunity now, what are the specific areas you would have personally pushed for amendment in the 1999 Constitution by the current National Assembly?
If I could, I would strongly advocate for the following: Adoption of the recommendations of the 2014 national conference in all its entirety.
The 2014 national conference took the extra mile to produce a brand new constitution for Nigeria, incorporating all its recommendations as well as the modus operandi for the enactment. It is sad that, eleven years after, the report is still gathering dust somewhere within government circles. Arise O Compatriots.
I strongly recommend that the press, which is the fourth estate should serialize the proposed constitution produced by the 2014 national conference for the public to interrogate and make informed opinion.
Citing the success of electricity sector reforms as an example, the Chairman of the recent zonal public hearing on the 1999 Constitution amendment process, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, advocated for more legislative powers to be devolved to State Governments. He specifically suggested moving Solid Minerals, Labour, Drugs and Poisons, Telecommunications, and Stamp Duties from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List. What is your perspective on this proposal?
I fully agree with that position. The success seen in the power sector reforms where states can now generate and distribute electricity is proof that decentralization works when done right.
Moving sectors like Solid Minerals, Labour, and Telecommunications to the Concurrent List would allow states to harness local opportunities, create jobs, and be more innovative. It will also reduce bottlenecks, caused by over-centralization.
Of course, there must be clear frameworks to prevent conflicts and ensure that standards are maintained nationwide, but overall, it is a progressive step towards true federalism.
Some critics have described constitutional reviews in Nigeria as mere talk shops or political jamborees with little practical impact. Do you agree with this view?
Why or why not? I understand the frustration. Many Nigerians have every right to see these processes as repetitive talk shops because, we often spend huge resources on consultations and committees, yet implementation lags behind. However, I believe that the solution is not to abandon the process,
but to make it more transparent, more binding, and more driven by citizens rather than by politics.
If the political class listens genuinely and acts on the people’s recommendations, constitutional reviews can become a powerful tool for nation-building. The alternative is continued disillusionment and we can’t afford that.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently expressed the view that “there is nothing wrong with the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, positing that “the problem is with those entrusted with the implementation”. Do you agree with him on this?
Thank you. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is an elder statesman with experience, and whatever he says should not be brushed aside.
To a large extent, he has a point in saying that. The problem with Nigeria is leadership selection process, which does not give room for the brightest and the best to emerge. You can’t give what you don’t have.
The 1999 Constitution may not be the best, but most of us play politics with everything. Whether you are a Christian or Muslim in this country, both Christianity or Islam preach the love of God and love for our neighbors. Even when the constitution does not give the best, as Christians or Muslims, we should know that what is wrong is wrong, and what is right is right. For instance, someone is sentenced to death by a competent Court of Jurisdiction for committing an offence. Hardly can any governor sign the death warrant, even when the constitution approves of it. So, the implementation of the constitution should be guided by our conscience and the love of God a n d love of man. The constitution emphasizes the protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians and the protection of life and property.
And what’s your take on the creation of State Police as advocated by some Nigerians?
The 2014 National Constitution Conference, of which I was a delegate approved the creation of State Police. That’s the way to go in this country. What we have is a centralist police policy. We have a situation where a police officer is sent from the North to the South for an operation, he does not know the terrain; he doesn’t know the culture and traditions of the people. So, there is not much he can do in terms of security. The situation would be different when you have a police force whose men are familiar with the terrain or environment they operate in, and that is why we need to decentralize for local or state police.
We have a situation where the level of insecurity is very high, to the extent that our farmers can’t go to their farms, and people can’t move freely without the fear of being molested or killed. So, we need the state police to checkmate the rate of crimes in this country. What I also think we need do is to get the right framework. The fear of it being abused by state governors should not be a reason for not creating State Police, because the advantages are far more than the disadvantages.
And what is your take on the creation of more states in the country?
The 2014 National Conference recommended the creation of new states. Nigeria is a massive country, and I think the challenge we have is over centralization, and this is a setback.
At this point, let me make this analogy. Nigeria is like a country whose foundation was built for a 3 storey- building, and over the years, it was moved to 4 storey-building; thereafter to 12 storey-building (By the military); again to 19 storey-building, and now it is 36 storey- building, with the same constitutional foundation. Definitely the structure cannot stand. So, there is the need for constitution review and creation of more states.
Until we restructure, we’ll continue to have the challenge of nationhood. Once the ground norm is faulty, anything you put on it cannot stand.
I am an advocate of devolution of more powers to the federating units (states), with the constitution specifying the areas the Federal Government and states should be in charge of. With more powers to the federating units, there would be a healthy competition among the states, and less friction in the country, the result of which would be a healthy nationhood that would foster meaningful growth, unity and development.
As a matter of fact, I think Unicameral legislature is the best for Nigeria now at the federal level because, it is more cost-effective. The Senate and House of Representatives are a duplication of functions that is costing the country so much resources. It slows down growth, so we need to slim fit the government.
Finally, what do you have to say about the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference and your expectations from the on-going constitutional amendment conference?
Talking about the 2014 National Conference and the outcome is a huge burden to me. When you think of the quantum of work, the calibre of people that formed the delegates (Some of the finest of Nigerians), the time spent and wasted, and funds expended, one would say, it’s a sad commentary for Nigeria. The recommendations are in the cupboard, covered with dust, waiting to be resurrected. It’s a sad one indeed.
And on my expectations from the on-going constitution amendments, I call for sincerity. It has become like a four yearly- ritual that every class of legislature wants to see the constitution amended, spend huge funds that could have been used for the growth and development of this country. But in all, I wish it’s members a happy and fruitful deliberations.
