According to a report by The Sun on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Akin Osuntokun, former Political Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed concern that many Nigerians are placing excessive emphasis on the race for the presidency while paying insufficient attention to the need for constitutional reform.
According to him, the country’s political discourse has become heavily centered on personalities and electoral contests, while deeper structural issues that affect governance continue to receive less consideration.
Speaking on the importance of constitutional reform, Osuntokun argued that meaningful progress in the country cannot be achieved solely through the election of a new president.
He maintained that governance is shaped by a broader institutional framework and that addressing weaknesses within that framework should be a priority for those seeking lasting political and economic change.
Responding to a question on why he considers constitutional reform more important than electing a new president, Osuntokun explained that the powers and effectiveness of any president are influenced by the institutions with which the office must interact.
He noted that the executive arm of government does not operate in isolation and must work alongside other arms of government to implement policies and reforms.
He pointed out that even if a candidate widely regarded as capable were elected president, the individual would still be required to collaborate with the National Assembly and the judiciary.
In his view, the success of any administration would depend significantly on the willingness and ability of these institutions to support or facilitate proposed reforms and programmes.
Osuntokun further stated that the composition and orientation of the current National Assembly could pose challenges for a new administration.
He suggested that without significant structural changes, the same political dynamics that currently exist would likely continue, thereby limiting the ability of any president to introduce far-reaching reforms.
According to him, institutional obstacles could hinder the implementation of policies, regardless of the intentions or vision of the president.
He stressed that constitutional reform would help address systemic issues and create a more effective framework for governance, rather than relying solely on the election of a different leader to bring about change.
In his words: “If Obi becomes president, he has to work with the National Assembly and the judiciary. The National Assembly that we have today will be replicated and they will be a cog in the wheel of whatever Obi wants to do. He will encounter a lot of frustration.”….Read_More…