During a speech at the Olabisi Onabanjo University’s convocation lecture, Wole Olanipekun, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, shared an incident where he advised ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to amend Nigeria’s constitution, which almost led to a physical altercation.

Olanipekun described the 1999 constitution as “fake” and argued that it lacked the necessary components to address the numerous challenges facing the country.

He acknowledged the paradox that lawyers and judges, including himself, are bound to apply the law as it is, rather than as it should be. However, he emphasized the need for constitutional amendment and overhaul.

Olanipekun recounted an incident from 2002 when he led a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association to meet with President Obasanjo. He stated that during the meeting, Obasanjo became angry and nearly engaged in a physical confrontation when Olanipekun suggested changing the constitution. Despite the heated exchange, Olanipekun expressed his views openly during his speech in Ogun State, where he emphasized that Obasanjo is still alive.

Furthermore, Olanipekun appealed to the current powers that be, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging them to seize the opportunity to restructure the country. He warned that if restructuring is not pursued, young Nigerians studying abroad may not return home, resulting in a loss of talent and potential for the nation.