Anyaoku-led Patriots Hold Constitutional Summit July 15

Concerned by the security state of Nigeria, eminent leaders of thought, under the aegis of The Patriots, have slated July 15, 2025, to convene an emergency National Constitutional Summit.

The group, led by former secretary general of The Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said while they are intensifying plans and consultations on the Summit, said it was initiated in collaboration with the Nigerian Political Summit Group, (NPSG).

The spokesperson of the summit, Prof Anthony Kila, said the emergency National Constitutional Summit is on the future of Nigeria.

The event which is held in Abuja will be chaired by Anyaoku and supported by key eminent leaders from the six geo political zones of Nigeria, Kila said.

He said a Confab Coordinating Committee inaugurated on May 1 in Lagos under the joint leadership of two former governors, Hon Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, are currently mobilising broad support from state governors, eminent leaders of thought and government gate keepers towards a successful Constitutional Confab that will enrich the ongoing constitution reform process of the National Assembly.

“Already confirmed to address the historic Summit on their reflections and experiences on the constitutional journey of Nigeria so far are Former Presidents of Nigeria, namely, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, while confirmation from General Yakubu Gowon is still being awaited.

“However, General Abdulsalami Abubakar is said to be currently out of the country at the moment. In the same vein, Goodwill Messages at the Summit will be given by key traditional and religious leaders from the six Geo political zones, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, Obi of Onitsha, Emir of Kano, Muslim and Christian clerics among others.

“Some Eminent thought leaders listed to make special interventions at the Summit are Prof Wole Soyinka, General TY Danjuma, Mallam Tanko Yakassai, Prof Ango Abdullahi, Chief Olu Falae, General Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Afe Babalola, Chief Phillip Asiodu, Oba Olaitan Oladipo, Obong Victor Attah, General Alani Akinriade, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Elder Solomon Asemota, SAN, Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma, Amb Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu among others.

“The Summit will also take a special address on security concern in the country from the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, representing the Nigerian Presidency, while a high-powered panel comprising, leaders of Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohaneze ndi Igbo and PANDEF will address the deep seated constitutional questions in Nigeria and offer proposals on urgent political reforms of the country

“The Summit Joint Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General of The Patriots, Olawale Okunniyi, is currently contacting State Governors to send their lists of 24 delegates each for the Summit to build consensus on the system and structure of the constitutional democracy most suitable for Nigeria, while other interest groups, including ethnic nationality movements are expected to send a delegation of not more than 20 representatives each to the historic national confab.

“A selected team of former Presidential candidates will be empanelled to propose viable electoral reforms for the country, while solidarity messages will be taken from the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, the organised civil society, Persons with Special Needs, Women and Youth Representatives, among other special interest bodies in the country.

“The three days National Confab on the future of Nigeria shall also be expected to x-ray ten crucial constitutional topics under the broad theme; Actualising A Constitutional Democracy that works for all in Nigeria to be moderated by a Summit Resolution Team, comprising seasoned Resource Persons and high level Rapporteurs that will produce a major stakeholders legislative bill that will be sent to the National Assembly for Constitution reform.”

He said the keynote Speakers are Prof Ibrahim Gambari, CFR and Prof Akin Oyebode, SAN, while Lead Discussants of the summit sessions are Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Dr Usman Bugaje, Dr Obby Ezekwesili, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Barr Femi Falana, SAN, Prof Jibrin Ibrahim, Hon Abdusamad Dasuki, Hon Abike Dabiri, Barr Clem Nwankwo, Sen Shehu Sanni, Comrade Ene Obi, Dr Otive Igbuzor, Hon Sodeeq Abdullahi, Dr Sam Amadi, Dr Idayat Hassan, Hajia Ramatu Usman, Samson Itodo, Barr Sola Ebiseni, Dr Jonathan Akuns, while Comrade Joe Ajaero of the NLC and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Festus Osifo are expected to lead solidarity messages by various delegations at the national dialogue.

At the end of the Summit on Thursday, 17th July, the Summit leadership in company of members of the summit coordinating committee shall be visiting the President to formally submit the Summit report to the Presidency in company of the leadership of the National Assembly for the buy in and support of the Federal Government.