We must restore the 1963 Constitution to move forward — Ighile, ex-UPN secretary

Alhaji Mohammed Ighile, Secretary of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) of the Second Republic in Oredo Central Constituency in the former Bendel State and Chairman of the Nigerian Democratic Alliance (NDA) ) in Boston, USA, spoke with HENDRIX OLIOMOGBE on the preparation of the 2023 elections, the politics of money, among others.

What do you have to say about the 2023 elections in a few months?

The next presidential election in Nigeria could end in a breakdown of the legal order. So progressives need a united plan to save the country. An executive presidency is not part of the solution but part of the problem. Therefore, the only alternative to dictatorship is parliamentary democracy.

But, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the Labor Party (LP) and the other parties have all conducted their primaries and the stage is set for the elections.

No one can deny the serial failure of the DPP and APC to govern Nigeria for the benefit of its people. Since the return to "arranged democracy" in 1999, the executive presidency has mismanaged public affairs while converting national wealth into political rent. It would be madness to continue to choose between two flavors of incompetence, much like a diabetic switching between consuming two brands of soft drinks. The executive presidency is political junk food. If the 2023 election ends in a stalemate, the fault lies with the parties whose nominations were purchased with funds of unknown origin by dubious recycled figures above retirement age.

You are known to be a strong supporter of the LP presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. What about him and how do you rate his chances?

Miscalculations by wealthy and affluent candidates from other parties gave Labor Presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi two big advantages: the “religion card” and the “youth card”. But, I'm afraid no third party can beat the big machines unlimited casino money.

How would you rate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)?

INEC may also lack the logistical and technical capacity to organize a timely second ballot, particularly if voter turnout is high, and a third-party victory may never be “allowed” by the ruling class . I therefore call on progressive forces to prepare for a possible impending collapse of the presidential engine. It will be futile to wait for a foreseeable disaster before running down the street with signs to be shot and beaten by uniformed thugs and revelers. Our task now is to unite around a common platform to advance the struggle for democracy and national liberation. The two coups of 1966 abolished our legitimate constitution, which was drafted after the 1956-57 regional elections that Chief Obafemi Awolowo described as "free and fair" and was approved by the elected parliament on October 1. 1963 before it was repealed at gunpoint.

Against the backdrop of various separatist movements in some parts of the country campaigning for a break, what do you see as the way forward?

Today, separatists speaking with different ethnic accents are the loudest in denouncing the 1979 and 1999 army constitutions, but those who remember the Nigerian civil war know that separatism cannot solve social and economic problems. The 1963 Constitution conveys three strong advantages: on the one hand, a federalism based on "four regions, that is to say, Northern Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria, Western Nigeria and of the Center-West”. Of these, only the Midwest was voted by plebiscite but the other three were accepted by Parliament. Realistically, today's unviable 'states' cannot be abolished overnight, but under the 1963 constitution, the 36 governors will not interact directly with Abuja, only as peers. in their respective regions where they can choose a Prime Minister pending regional elections. Two is a non-executive president, chosen by parliament and limited to commanding the armed forces. Let the president focus on ending open warfare across the country - that's more than enough work for one person. The third is a Parliament (House of Representatives and Senate) with the exclusive power to make laws above the authority of the Regions. The number of senators may briefly increase from the original 20 to the current 109, but the number of members of the House of Representatives may remain at 360 because the 1963 Constitution did not specify the exact number of constituencies. The Prime Minister, representing the parliamentary majority, chooses the federal cabinet within Parliament. Thus, the restoration of Nigeria's last legitimate constitution will bring legality back into the "national space" and reduce the waste of a bloated central government. We still hope that the 2023 elections will allow for a peaceful and just political transition. But history warns us to prepare for...