President Bola Tinubu has expressed his willingness to consider the proposal for a new constitution put forth by a distinguished group known as ‘The Patriots’.
During their visit to Abuja on Friday, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, led this influential group in their appeal to the President.
While welcoming the delegation, President Tinubu stressed that his administration prioritizes the revitalization of the economy to foster sustainable growth and development.
The President assured the group that their request for a national constituent assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution would be thoroughly evaluated.
Chief Anyaoku, representing The Patriots, urged the President to forward an executive bill to the National Assembly with two key proposals: the establishment of a national constituent assembly composed of directly elected representatives from the 36 states (three from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory)
Theu inclusion of seven constitutional lawyers from various geopolitical zones to assist in the drafting process. Their work would take into account the historical 1960 and 1963 constitutions, along with insights from the 2014 National Conference and other relevant national discussions.
Additionally, The Patriots called for legislation to enable a national plebiscite, where the draft constitution from the assembly would be submitted for public approval. “This new constitution, once ratified by the people through a referendum, should be officially signed by the President as the authentic constitution of the Nigerian people,” Chief Anyaoku articulated.
In response, President Tinubu conveyed his respect for The Patriots and acknowledged their valuable contributions to national dialogue. “This is not a group I can overlook. You represent the heart and aspirations of our society,” he remarked.
He acknowledged the challenges of the democratic landscape he inherited, emphasizing that good governance requires confronting these difficulties head-on. “I assure you that your requests for a path to a referendum and constitutional measures will be considered seriously, as they align with our goal of unity and effective governance,” he asserted.
President Tinubu noted that the quest for constitutional reform has been a longstanding topic in Nigeria. He reflected on the examples of pluralistic nations like Canada and India, which have successfully navigated their diversity through constitutional frameworks.
“To avoid chaos and advance the aspirations of our nation, I recognize the importance of constitutional reform. However, I am currently focused on economic reforms, which are my top priority. Once these are underway, I will explore other avenues, including the constitutional review you proposed,” he stated.
The President also took a moment to honor Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN, the founding chairman of The Patriots, and Professor Ben Nwabueze, commending their unwavering belief in Nigeria’s potential. He posed the critical question: “How can Nigeria be governed in a constitutionally sound manner that respects our diversity without causing unnecessary strife?”
He concluded by promising to invite Chief Anyaoku for further discussions regarding The Patriots’ proposals, reaffirming his commitment to fostering a stable and prosperous Nigeria.
In his remarks, Chief Anyaoku highlighted a recent colloquium organized by The Patriots, where a consensus was reached on the need for a new people’s constitution.
He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s capacity to spearhead this constitutional transformation, citing his exemplary record as a defender of democracy in Nigeria.
