Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume’s ( APC Borno) suggestion that the media should downplay issues of constitution review is quite interesting.

The Nigerian Constitution has been a subject of debate, with many calling for its review to address pressing issues like federal restructuring, local government autonomy, state police, and national security ¹.

However, Ndume’s proposal raises questions about the role of the media in shaping public discourse. Should the media prioritize national unity over contentious issues, or should they continue to facilitate public debate and awareness about the constitution review process?

The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, and their influence can be significant.

Through agenda-setting, selective reporting, framing, opinion leaders, and social media, the media has the power to influence how people think and feel about certain topics ².

Some argue that the media should focus on promoting national unity and stability, especially during sensitive times.

Others believe that the media should continue to shed light on the complexities and challenges surrounding the constitution review process, even if it sparks controversy.

Ultimately, the media’s role is to inform and facilitate public debate, not to dictate or suppress discussions.

By doing so, they can help foster a more informed and engaged citizenry, capable of making informed decisions about the country’s future.

By Aminu Garko

Sen.Ali Ndume Member Senate, I have been in the National Assembly for 22 years.

Q: Constitutional Review, is the ripe for Nigeria, looking at what Nigeria is going through, and looking at the National Assembly and what is spent is there any need for review Constitution?

First of all you should know that have been in the National Assembly for the last 22 years, so you can see that I have been there, and on so many occasions, I tried to bring a new narrative through sponsoring of a bill like that of Corruption but they have not seen the light of the day

Democracy is not cheap, democracy is expensive, just because you want Federalism, you don’t go for Blank cheque, i don’t see problems so much with the Constitution, section 14(2) of the Constitution, clearly spelled out the needs for a government and the governed, I don’t see so many reasons for the review of the Constitution, no matter how many times you review the Constitution still the issues remains the vital needs of Security, poverty and unemployment welfare of the Citizens, strengthen the institutions of government, the Executive, that is the local Government, State and the Federal units, than Judiciary which supposed to have a check and balance. The legislature supposed to be an institution that checks the Government you don’t need to tinker with the Constitution with the National Assembly. Looking at the retreat three things that Center on the retreat Federalism, issues of State Police, Local Government Reforms and the Electoral Law.

Federalism we have 195 Countries in the World only 25 are practicing Federalism, so the clamorous for Federalism is not necessary, if it is better out of 195-100 will have taken it, Democracy that means Government of the people by the People are decision that will be taken should have been for the people.

The Media will do this Country great service if you down play the issues of constitution review instead of talking about the main issues of transparency, equity and justice and accountability with which citizens don’t care whoever governed this Country, than the President and the legislature are not above the law, but that is not what is happening in Nigeria, today if I talk they say Ndume, but I can’t talk to you if not that I’m a not Senator.

Federalism has it own advantage and disadvantages, and looking at Countries that have gone far ahead have own their system which is not Federalism and most important things. Our major challenges in this Country is Corruption, up till now there is no law that will cut Corruption it is only in Nigeria that you held and commended nobody is talking about where did you get the Money. In other developed Countries that they asked questions. I tried to passed a law in the National Assembly but it has not seen the light of the day, no law that talks about Corruption.

Q: The Local Governments Autonomy, how did the review intend to change the narratives?

I support the local government autonomy, when you say there are three Arms of government, that was why the President went to supreme court and got Judgment, up till now technicalities have started coming up, a whole state wear Uniforms and went to their Governor and said we don’t want autonomy, we grew up knowing Councils building Roads, what is not needed is Blank autonomy because of you do that some will died naturally, that is what we are looking in the Constitutional Reform to make them viable, I support the conducting of local government elections by the INEC, because INEC has been underutilized it could do other things while the elections was manipulated to the extent that one doesn’t understand what is going, the fundamental questions is fairness and justice.

Q: What is your position on State Police?

My Personal opinion I don’t support State Police for two reasons, right now we have less than 400,000 Police and less than 200,000 Army, all our Security forces are less than one million we don’t have reserve, and the Nigeria Police have performed credibility it is only now that you hear of Corruption, that is why I asked of Team, Training, equipped, Arm,and management.those that comes out of Police training School you paid them N50,000 without any other support.
Less increases the Police, Arm them, equipped them it doesn’t matter weather they are State Police or whatever.

Q: The Independent Days, what did you say about it?

I don’t support celebrating of Independent but I support the markings the independent days, by talking about not going to Stadium to wear Uniforms, but I support evaluation of the days and talking about them, by calling Journalists to ask questions and proper solution to the problems.

Q: What will you said about of Insecurities Problems?

Three challenges in the Country, Boko Haram, Bandits and Kidnapping and the Separative, if the Government is very serious about it can be address in six months at most one year. These Criminals are not trained what they used are those that is been taking from the Security. Today Nigeria Security knows where I’m I, if can do that to me by tracking Political enemies effectively who only want to talk on issues, why not these Criminals, I Commend Labaja the Chief of Army Staff that with the number of army less than 200,000 and mega Money, the response to these Problems is by recruiting more Nigeria Army, we have the Youths. I commend Nigerians especially the Youths who are willing to serve but no encouragement, when 70 percent of the Population are Youths is a collective problems we are facing, before our Fathers were captured for slave trade but today the Youths are going into slavery with their legs. Boko Haram reached its picks in 2014 somebody advised that private Military who were well paid, and in collaboration with the Nigeria Military and plush them out. Went they comes they collaborate with the Army and than recruit Civilians Army, right now in Borno it has gone down to Lake Chad, Mandara Mounting and Sambisa. Today all the Service Chiefs are in Sokoto but they cannot get Turji, the Nigeria Army are known for their ability but when you don’t have the welfares nothing will happened, these Army Chiefs if you gives them what they want just give them few days they will takes care of the situation. Nigeria Army I have gone Round but I have not seen them with new brand AK-47 talkless of Ak49. Mind own is let us concentrate on hunger by given farming what it takes, let us address poverty and unemployment. Agriculture we only cultivate 5percent or less than that.