A non-partisan group of eminent Nigerians known as ‘The Patriots’, has reiterated the need to have a federal constitution that is people friendly in Nigeria.
The Chairman of The Patriots and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku who stated this at a hybrid event on Monday in Lagos, said there was a serious need for a new democratic constitution that will tackle the knotty issues of a pluralistic country like Nigeria.
Anyaoku stated that pluralistic countries exist when they have tackled issues that threaten their co-existence and have a constitution that is for the people.
The octogenarian who witnessed the inauguration of a committee for the processing of federal constitution, stated that, “Nigeria needs a federal constitution that tackles all the challenges we are having like insecurity, banditry, kidnapping and others faced by the people. Nigeria as a pluralistic country needs this constitution to prevent it from disintegrating like other nations that have diverse attributes of a pluralistic state and later disintegrated. Countries like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Susan.”
Anyaoku, while answering questions from journalists at the event, noted that the political group was not advocating for a detour to a regional government like it was decades before, but for the people to be governed under a constitution that protects and unites them as the present constitution was faulty in different areas.
Meanwhile, a 17-member constitution committee led by Prof. Anthony Kila was inaugurated even as Prof Remi Sonaiya, Dr Abduljaleel Tafawa- Balewa were physically in attendance to witness the inauguration.
General Secretary of The Patriots, Olawale Okunniyi said the Committee’s task is to engage major stakeholders and members of the public across the country on what people’s constitutions entail and its benefits.
For his part, Prof. Kila announced that the committee would do all it could to inform, engage, and get inputs from various segments of the populace.
Members of the committee include Senator Shehu Sanni, Dr. Bilikisu Magoro, who will serve as executive secretary; Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Dr Otive Igbuzor, Mr Samson Itodo, Madu Bright Alwell, Ms Ann Kio Briggs, Mr Fafa Dan Princewill, Mr Zaka Bala, Mr. Kayode Samuel, Barr Affiong Affiong, and Mr. Salvation Alibor.
Recall that The Patriots visited President Bola Tinubu recently where a request was tabled for the people’s democratic constitution for the country.
