President Bola Tinubu informed The Patriots, a group of distinguished Nigerians, that his administration’s primary focus is on restructuring the economy for sustainable growth and development, rather than pursuing a new Constitution.
However, he assured the group, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, during their visit to the State House on Friday, that their request for convening a national constituent assembly to draft a new constitution would be carefully considered.
Chief Anyaoku, speaking on behalf of The Patriots, appealed to the President to send an executive bill to the National Assembly, proposing two measures:
”The convening of a national constituent assembly with the mandate to produce a draft people’s democratic constitution. The constituent assembly should be of directly elected individuals, on a non-political basis, from the 36 states of the federation, possibly three individuals per state, and one from the FCT.
”They should be assisted by seven constitutional lawyers, one drawn from each of the six geo-political 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 also mentioned that The Patriots have requested the enactment of legislation for a national plebiscite, to which the draft constitution from the constituent assembly should be subjected.
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In response to their requests, President Tinubu expressed his respect for The Patriots and their significant contributions to national discourse.
‘He said, “I want to assure all of you that as I listened to your two major requests on the path to referendum and that should lead to constitutional measures that will fit our diversity and governance so that we avoid conflicts and break-ups.
”I believe in the unity of this country and I want to assure you that whatever is necessary to put happiness and good governance in the hands of all Nigerians is what I would do,” the President said.
President Tinubu acknowledged that the call for constitutional reforms is a longstanding topic in national discussions.
He also recognized the examples provided by The Patriots, citing pluralistic countries like Canada and India, which have successfully maintained unity by addressing their 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.
”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 recommended by you and other options,” the President said.
President Tinubu informed Chief Anyaoku that he would be invited for a more in-depth discussion on The Patriots’ submissions.
”As you present this, just believe that it will be reviewed, and I commit myself to the belief that you want a stable and prosperous Nigeria,” President Tinubu concluded.
