A prominent group of Nigerian leaders known as The Patriots, led by former Commonwealth secretary-general Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has reiterated the urgent need for the establishment of a new democratic peoples’ Constitution, emphasizing a departure from the conventional process of amending the current document.
In a communique issued following their gathering tagged “National Constitutional Dialogue, 2024” held in Lagos, The Patriots outlined their stance, suggesting that key historical documents such as the 2014 National Confab, 1963 Constitution, Constituent Assembly, and National Reconciliation documents serve as focal points for crafting the new constitution. They proposed the formation of a high-powered team to engage the Presidency, National Assembly, and Political Leaders on this matter.
The group’s position comes amidst the National Assembly’s ongoing constitution amendment process. Notably, several elder statesmen, including first republic lawmaker Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Chief Edwin Clark, Segun Osoba, and Prof Ango Abdullahi, have expressed support for a return to the parliamentary system of government, as advocated by some House of Representatives members.
The Patriots emphasized that the prevailing 1999 Constitution, along with its presidential system, fosters politics of alienation and state capture, leading to disenchantment across the nation. They asserted that the constitution lacks legitimacy due to its flawed origin, rendering any number of amendments ineffective in acquiring legitimacy.
Furthermore, The Patriots endorsed the Draft constitution of the 2014 National Conference and the 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria as generally acceptable national documents suitable for deliberations towards a new democratic people’s constitution. They proposed the initiation of an elective Constituents Assembly or national referendum facilitated by the federal government to actualize this goal.
In addition to their call for a new constitution, The Patriots highlighted several recommendations for national progress. These include commitments to end political impunity, address security challenges, reform security infrastructure, reconfigure the country’s governance system, strengthen democratic institutions, and deepen democracy at the grassroots level.
The National Constitutional Dialogue, attended by elder statesmen, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former governors, lawmakers, ministers, traditional rulers, constitutional lawyers, and other stakeholders, emphasized a prosperous future for Nigeria through the establishment of a new democratic people’s constitution.
