Summit Delegates Demand People-Driven Constitution

Participants at the national summit on the future of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy have called for a new, inclusive and democratic constitution in the country.

They said the summit convened by THE PATRIOTS in collaboration with the Nigeria Political Summit Group yesterday brought together delegates from civil society groups, academia, ethnic nationalities, faith-based organisations, youth groups among others to discuss the deep-rooted issues plaguing Nigeria.

In a draft communique read by the chairman of The Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, they said  prominent Nigerians from various sectors of society highlighted the urgent need for a constitutional overhaul to address the systemic challenges facing the country.

They said among the key resolutions reached at the summit was the demand for a new constitutional order that reflects true federalism and addresses the country’s diversity.

They also said the summit proposed a draft constitution be subjected to a referendum of the Nigerian people before being assented to by the president to ensure that the new constitution truly represents the will of the people.

Delegates also called for the establishment of a Constituent Assembly to draft the new constitution, with representatives elected on a non-partisan basis and from special interest groups.

The delegates expressed renewed commitment to demanding a new constitution that would promote fairness, justice, equity, security and sustainable development for Nigerians.

The summit agreed that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is deeply flawed and unrepresentative as it was not made by the people and is inadequate for addressing the country’s pluralism and the various challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation.