1979 Constitution: When They Submitted To OBJ, He Inserted Things That Were Never Discussed—Opadokun

Pa Ayo Opadokun, a Nigerian pro-democracy activist, has alleged that provisions that were never discussed during the drafting process were introduced into Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution under the military government of former Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo, particularly the Land Use Act.

Opadokun made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television on Saturday, October 10, 2026, while discussing the military’s involvement in the process that led to Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1979.

The activist questioned the circumstances surrounding the country’s transition from military rule, recalling that the military remained in power for 13 years after the 1966 coup before transferring authority to a civilian government.

“When the army struck in 1966, they spent 13 years and they said they handed over to civilians,” Opadokun said.

He argued that the military exercised considerable influence over the constitutional drafting process, including the selection of members responsible for preparing the draft document.

According to him, the composition of the drafting body and the subsequent handling of its recommendations raised questions about whether the final constitution accurately reflected the issues considered during deliberations.

Opadokun alleged that changes were introduced after the draft was submitted to the commission operating under Obasanjo’s military administration, with the Land Use Act being one of the provisions he specifically questioned.

“The Army hand picked significant members of the body that produced the draft. When they submitted it to Obasanjo’s commission, Obasanjo’s government inserted quite a number of some things never discussed into that 1979 constitution particularly land use act,” he said.

The Land Use Act remains one of the most consequential laws governing land administration in Nigeria. It was originally promulgated as the Land Use Decree in March 1978 under Obasanjo’s military government and later became part of the 1979 constitutional framework.

Under the law, land in each state is vested in the governor, who holds it in trust for the use and benefit of Nigerians. The legislation also established a framework for the administration of rights of occupancy and the allocation of land.

The law has remained a subject of debate because of the authority it gives state governors over land administration and the procedures required to amend its provisions. Its inclusion in the Constitution means that altering it requires a constitutional amendment.

Nigeria’s transition programme was initiated under General Murtala Muhammed, who assumed power in 1975 and announced plans to return the country to civilian government. Following his assassination in 1976, Obasanjo continued the programme.

A 49-member Constitution Drafting Committee, chaired by legal scholar F.R.A. Williams, prepared a draft constitution. The document was subsequently considered by a Constituent Assembly chaired by Justice Udo Udoma before the 1979 Constitution came into effect on October 1 of that year.

Watch the video from stamp time 3:36 to 4:20.

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