Eminent Patriots Call For Democratically-Formulated Constitution That Reflects True Federalism.

By Ferdinand Olise

Public spirited national leaders of like minds under the auspices of The Eminent Patriots, have convened in Abuja, deliberated and proffered ways to deepen Nigeria’s democracy that is all encompassing.

In line with this, The Patriots commenced a crusade for a truly people’s Constitution that reflects Nigerians identity without any form of discrimination. The Founding leaders of Patriots agreed that the best way to govern Nigeria with its multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-national, and multi-religious mix, is to provide for an unhindered federal system of government that is people-oriented, and all-inclusive.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the opening session of the National Constitutional Summit on The Future of Nigeria, jointly organised by The Patriots, and the Nigerian Political Summit Group, with the theme, “Actualising a Constitutional Democracy that Works for All in Nigeria”, the Chairman, Eminent Patriots, and the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, pointed out some shortfalls in the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), and stressed the need for an inclusive and democratically-formulated constitution that reflects Nigeria’s diversity, and as well addresses its developmental challenges.

Chief Anyaoku emphasised that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is no longer fit for it’s purpose, describing it as a military-imposed framework that fails to recognise the country’s pluralism.

“Nigeria is a pluralistic country. Like all successful pluralistic nations, our constitution must be crafted by representatives elected specifically for that purpose. The 1999 Constitution was not democratically formulated. Its governance structure is non-inclusive and encourages excessive administrative spending at the expense of capital development. Hence, the need for a truly people-driven constitution”, Chief Anyaoku said.

He also called for the drafting of a new constitution that would be ratified through a national referendum to ensure legitimacy and ownership by the people, with a candid reference to the present persistent insecurity, poverty, the disillusionment of Nigerian youth, infrastructure gaps, and proper basic amenities.

On his part, the Founding Member, The Patriots, Major General Ike Nwachukwu, hinted that the first meeting of The Patriots resolved to commence the crusade for a truly people’s Constitution negotiated by all the peoples (ethnic nationalities), and interest groups to fashion out agreeable and happy-to-live-with values, codes and rules for governing them and Nigeria.

“The 1999 Constitution is not a peoples Constitution, It makes it impossible for our various peoples to express themselves, develop as they should and largely suppresses initiatives thus Impoverishing the people in most aspect of human development indices. I daresay, that contrary to the opinions held by some, no State in this country (no area in this country) is unviable. Every part of this country can boast of expansive land, tremendous number of mineral resources and capable human beings.

“What we need and must do, is to allow those entities and humans the free access to their mineral resources and the release of their motive power to develop their resources and their peoples as necessary to build a strong and responsible humans: and economies, that cannot but be to the good of themselves, there entities and our dear country Nigeria.

“Our founding fathers got it right at the inception in October 1960 of a decolonised Nigeria. We got it wrong by reversing the conditionality on which our independence was granted. The need to have a truly people’s Constitution is immediate for Nigeria to survive. And survive we should, God being our Helper.
It is also necessary to buttress the need to decentralize the security apparati by giving States (Federating units) the full responsibility for security and development in their areas of influence. For instance, State and Local Policing.

“There is also the need to reform our present Government structure and adopt a less expensive parliamentary system. We should adopt the French model. must strengthen the Judiciary and make INEC truly independent”, General Nwachukwu said.

Also, the Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented by the Secretary General of the Eminent Patriots, Mr. Olawale Okunniyi, highlighted some shortcomings in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), but noted that even the best-drafted laws are vulnerable to abuse by selfish leadership.

“No constitution is perfect, but bad leadership can subvert even the best constitutional provisions. Getting the right leaders is critical to building the Nigeria we all dream of.”

Meanwhile, the Co-Chairman of the Organising Committee, and former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, said the Summit was a bold citizen-led constitutional intervention built on years of advocacy and public dissatisfaction with the current governance framework.

“The 1999 Constitution has repeatedly shown its limitations in fostering equity, inclusion, national cohesion, and effective governance. This summit will critically examine fundamental themes including the structure of the federation, local government reform, resource control, fiscal federalism, judicial and electoral reform, and national security”, he said.

“This is not an act of rebellion. It is an invitation to constructive collaboration and democratic renewal. No voice is too small, and no group should be left behind,” he added.
According to Senator Daniel, all resolutions from the summit will be meticulously compiled and submitted to the Presidency, and the National Assembly for consideration.

While speaking on national security and other related matters, the Chairman of the North Central Zone of The Patriots, Dr Mike Omeri, said the amendment they suggested should reflect the federal character of Nigeria, so as to ensure proportional representation for each geopolitical zone in senior command positions from the ranks of Brigadier General, which includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

“Our position insists that this should apply to all federal security and Paramilitary institutions”, he said.
Dr Omeri added that, to promote true federal and parliamentary services for the nation, Nigeria needs to promote national unity.

The stakeholders therefore agreed that, addressing the longstanding structural imbalances in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and building a constitutional framework that is all-inclusive and fosters unity, justice, and sustainable development, is a way forward to deepening Nigeria’s democracy.