Public Participation and Constitutional Impediments to Sustainable Development in Nigeria

A sustainable society is an imperative of good governance and constitutionality in the modern times. It is defined as one that can progress without catastrophic setbacks in the foreseeable future. This view is strengthened by pre-independence Africa when crude oil exploration has not destroyed the flora and fauna. The advent of military dictatorship and reliance on crude oil brought unwholesome development. Military rule is antithetical to constitutionalism. The constitution of nations should be a holistic document that gives palliative to citizens in time of need, most significantly when their fundamental inalienable rights are infringed either by the State, persons in high places or an individual. The citizens must have access to justice. This paper assesses the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 in terms of its contribution to sustainable society and development. Though there is no perfect constitution, yet its imperfections had been the source of a Constitution Review Conference held in 2014. Can the amendments proposed there justify sustainable society? It posits that the provisions of the constitution must be made justiciable for sustainable society and development to be achieved; else the constitution will be burdened for non-functionality and lack of societal sustainability. We must change from a worldview that places human beings at centre of the universe, and see sustenance of the integrity of the whole earth system as overriding concern. Thus, only an acceptable and functional constitution can bring about good governance which Nigerians presently seek.