By Rufus Aminu
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu on Friday received a delegation of eminent Nigerians known as The Patriots, led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, at the State House in Abuja. The meeting focused on the group’s appeal for a national constituent assembly to draft a new constitution and the president’s commitment to economic reform as a priority.
During the meeting, President Tinubu acknowledged the significance of The Patriots’ contributions to national discourse, stating, “This is not a group that I can ignore. This is a group of patriots reflecting the heart and aspirations of society.” He expressed gratitude for their presence and recognized the challenges inherent in navigating a democratic system, stating, “We have no other choice, and I also believe it is most difficult to manage the twists and turns of democratic governance.”
Chief Anyaoku, on behalf of The Patriots, presented two key requests to President Tinubu. The first involved the establishment of a national constituent assembly, comprised of directly elected representatives from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, tasked with drafting a new constitution. He emphasized the importance of a non-political approach, advocating for three representatives per state and one from the FCT, alongside seven constitutional lawyers representing each of the six geopolitical zones and the FCT.
“The deliberations of the constituent assembly should take into full account the 1960/63 constitutions, as well as the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference and indeed of the various national conferences that considered the Nigerian constitutions,” Chief Anyaoku stated.
The second request involved legislation for a national plebiscite, where the drafted constitution would be put to a public referendum for approval. “The draft constitution, produced by the constituent assembly, should be put to a national referendum, and if approved, should then be signed by the President as the genuine Nigerian people’s constitution,” he said.
President Tinubu, while respecting The Patriots’ concerns, highlighted his current focus on economic reform as a top priority. “I am currently preoccupied with economic reform. That is my first priority. Once this is in place, as soon as possible, I will look at other options, including constitutional review as you recommended and other options,” he said.
He also acknowledged the longstanding call for constitutional reforms in Nigeria, noting examples of pluralistic countries like Canada and India, which have successfully addressed diversity through their constitutions. “The avoidance of chaos is necessary to build this country and move its aspirations forward for the benefit of all of us,” he emphasized.
The President paid tribute to The Patriots’ founding chairman, Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN, and his successor, Professor Ben Nwabueze, recognizing their unwavering belief in Nigeria. He acknowledged the need for a constitution that effectively manages the country’s diversity and ensures a united future. “How will Nigeria be governed constitutionally, legitimately without unnecessary aches and pains of its diversity, and this needs to be addressed constitutionally so that we can build a nation that we can proudly hand over a banner without stain to our children,” he stated, quoting a line from the national anthem.
President Tinubu assured The Patriots that he would invite them for a more detailed discussion on their proposals, signifying his willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue.
Chief Anyaoku expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and his commitment to constitutional transformation, citing his strong track record as a champion of democracy in Nigeria. “We organized a well-attended colloquium in March 2024, at which it was unanimously agreed that Nigeria needs a new people’s constitution,” he said, highlighting the widespread support for the initiative.
This meeting signifies a crucial step towards addressing the complex issue of constitutional reform in Nigeria. President Tinubu’s commitment to economic reform, coupled with his open dialogue with The Patriots, suggests a potential path towards a more inclusive and representative future for the country. Gmtnewsng
