Elder statesman and member of The Patriots, Professor Anya O. Anya, has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s political system, warning that even a saint would become corrupt under the country’s current structure.
In an interview monitored by DAILY GAZETTE, the 88-year-old scholar and national figure called for urgent constitutional reform and a return to values.
Anya emphasized the need for a completely new constitution, dismissing current efforts at piecemeal amendments as ineffective.
“We cannot have a constitution that is patch-patch work. Ultimately, each time you patch it up, a new leak or problem would arise,” he said.
He stressed that only a people-driven constitution can address the country’s foundational issues, noting the 1999 Constitution was a military decree lacking legitimacy.
Anya lamented the moral and value collapse in Nigeria’s political culture.
“The value system has collapsed. Drugs and other problems are all there because the fundamental thing that holds Nigeria together has collapsed,” he said.
He added that Nigeria now lacks red lines or consequences for wrongdoing:
“There must be things that if you cross that line you are on your own and will pay the price. Right now, there is no such rule in Nigeria.”
He partly blamed military regimes for eroding democratic principles and fostering selfish governance:
“The succession of military governments in our history has not helped us. It’s what prepared the ground for this other development of taking care of myself first rather than thinking of the country.”
Reacting to Obasanjo’s claim that Nigeria’s problem is not the constitution but bad leadership, Anya offered a nuanced take:
“Even if you take a saint and there is no value system that guides him, the saint will become just an ordinary looter.”
Anya, who played a leading role in the 2014 Confab, maintained that the summit was necessary:
“It became clear that if you went to elect people as had happened once, it doesn’t work… they now become the boss.”
Anya said it’s too early to judge President Bola Tinubu, given the “noise” and uncertainty surrounding governance today.
“Even if I told you what God himself has said… the atmosphere we have is not conducive to discuss what God wants us to take.”
On the registration of over 140 political groups with INEC, Anya was skeptical:
“Does it make sense? People are being attracted to the opportunity it gives them to look after themselves.”
He questioned whether the 2027 elections will even take place:
“The way it is going, are you sure there will be 2027 election? You are creating a new environment, a new set of problems… That is an invitation to chaos.”
Anya warned that Nigeria’s democracy lacks majority participation.
“Out of the 93 million registered voters, less than one-third actually voted… Of every three people that voted, one voted for Tinubu and two voted against him. But he is the President.”
He called this situation inconsistent with democracy:
“The minority is ruling the majority… You have to find a solution.”
Backing the idea of a single six-year term, he argued: “The disruptions that come in the process of looking for second term are themselves morally intolerable… If after six years you have not downloaded the great ideas you have, it means you have no idea.”
Despite his critiques, Anya sees potential in young Nigerians: “Have you wondered why young Nigerian men and women are winning laurels globally?… We should start looking at: What is it that God is telling us?”
Anya insisted that returning to foundational values is the only path to national healing.
“Let’s go back to the fundamentals… It will give you a path to the future… A society where there is no punishment is not a normal society.”
