Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has, again, restated that a new, people-oriented constitution is the only antidote to the myriads of problems bedeviling Nigeria and its people.
This was as the retired Navy Commodore and former military of the old Ondo State warned against calls for military intervention in the polity, saying coup would end up derailing democratic development.
Bode George stated these while speaking as the chairman at the 9th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday.
The PDP chieftain said the theme of the conference, “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects,” was timely and apt.
He said the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is warped and not people-oriented, declaring that it must be changed to truly serve the interest and welfare of Nigerians.
“The constitution we are currently using is a warped constitution and is not democratic at all. It must be changed.
“Power must come from the people, from the bottom to the top. Let us work out a constitution that will devolve power to the state governors and local government areas.
“It is true, the military created the problems we are currently facing. The constitution we are operating was written by the military, and without the consent of the people.
“There are three tripods in a democracy: there is the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. But what we had in the military was the Executive and the Judiciary, with the Legislature glaringly.
“This defect reflected in the constitution bequeathed by the military to the country at the inception of the current democratic experience. Our current constitution is not democratic at all,” he said.
Chief George, admitted that there is no perfect institution in any part of the world and, quoting the late Indian leader, Mahatma Ghandi, declared “Freedom is not worth having, if the freedom cannot be allowed to make mistakes.”
He, however, emphasised that civilian rule, despite its imperfections, provides checks and balances through its three arms of government, unlike the military, which had a single, central authority.
Bode George stressed the need for a comprehensive review of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
“The Nigerian electoral system is shambolic. In my own personal view, we must go and revisit the electoral process of INEC. We must get rid of tribal and religious sentiments,” he added.
He said there is a huge disconnect between campaign promises and realities of governance, and urged the Nigerian Government to improve the lives of citizens who, he said, are victims of poor governance.
He advised that the diverse and abundant resources and human potential available to the country should be harnessed responsibly for national progress.
He said: “There is no part of Nigeria that is not endowed with human and natural resources. The essence of true democracy means the utilisation of the resources for the benefit of the people.
“Our leaders at all levels must remember that power is transient and that posterity will judge them by their actions,” the PDP chieftain said.
Chief George was, however, full of praise for GOCOP, saying he has been following the Guild right from its inception, adding that he was happy that “GOCOP is still very strong, in spite of the national frailties.”
He charged members of GOCOP to take the lead in clearing the obstacles facing journalism, particularly the menace of fake news and unprofessional conduct among impostors in the industry.
He expressed displeasure over the growing number of untrained individuals masquerading as journalists, and commended GOCOP for its consistent efforts in promoting professionalism and integrity in digital journalism.
“I am extremely happy that GOCOP continues to grow stronger despite the odds. I have followed your activities since inception, and I am proud to be associated with a body of credible professionals,” he stated.
Meanwhile, GOCOP, on Thursday, admitted and inducted eight new members into the organisation, as part of its 9th Annual Conference.
They included Dapo Falade, anipr (Publisher, Newscoven.com); Olayinka Agboola (PM Parrot and Parrot Xtra Magazine); Olugbenga Kayode (Consumer Connect);
Olumuyiwa Akintunde (BreezyNewsNG); Tola Akinmutimi (BRTNews.ng); Tony Amokeodo (TheIdealNews); Ofonime Umanah (Today’sNewsNow, TNN) and Dele Aderibigbe (Maritime First).
The newly-inducted members were charged to adhere strictly to the ethics of journalism, espoused by GOCOP.
In the same vein, the tenure of the President Maureen Chigbo-led GOCOP exco ended on Thursday as it formally handed over to a new exco under the leadership of President Danlami Nmodu, mni.
The change of baton from Chigbo to Nmodu followed a peaceful election which was conducted during the Day One of the GOCOP 9th Annual Conference.
GOCOP is a body of online publishing organisations, run by professional journalists with backgrounds in broadcasting, print and new media.
Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it is a self-regulating professional body that subscribes to the ethics of journalism, holding facts, truth, fairness and balanced reporting as sacred in the discharge of its duties.
GOCOP put in place structures for effective peer review and regulation of its members-Constitution Review, Welfare, Finance, Membership Screening and Disciplinary/Ombudsman committees, among other measures.
