A pro-democracy group,The Patriots andorganisers of the recent national summit, has called for an urgent interface with the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS)to ensure alignment with the aspirations of the Nigeriansfor a new democratic people’s constitution.
The group said it was concerned about the ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to further amend the 1999 Constitution.
Its secretary-general, Olawale Okunniyi, at a press briefing with newsmen yesterday in Abuja, acknowledged the widespread enthusiasm and national attention of Nigerians, especially from the North for constitutional reforms, describing it as a demonstration of the people’s desire to see Nigeria work.
However, he cautioned that no amount of amendment can transform the 1999 Constitution—which he described as fundamentally flawed by its origin — into a legitimate people’s constitution.
He further said that the eminent body took time to applaud the attendance and participation of top Northern Delegates and Stakeholders at the just concluded Summit, making special mention of Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma, Engr Suleman Bello, representing Rt Hon HE Aminu Tambuwal, who was in Daura for the burial of the former President Buhari, Dr Bitrus Pogu, HE Labaran Maku, Dr Usman Bugaje, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Prof Maxwell Giddado, HE Charity Shekari, Hajia Edna Azura, President, National Council of Women Society, NCWS, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Prof Ibrahim Garba, Dr Jonathan Akuns, Engr Bala Zakka, Hon Mike Omerie, Mallam Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Dr. Nuruddeen Lawal Katsina, Prof. Richard Auta, Maiwurno Mohammed Dauran, Zamfara, Mallam Shehu Isah, Ambassador Pear Buba, Kabiru, Sokoto, Elder Peter Buba among other northern delegates who attended the National Confab in massive numbers.
He said “We recognise that the efforts of the National Assembly and the passion shown by Nigerians for constitution reforms demonstrate collective yearning of Nigerians for a country that works for all.
“However, we must remind ourselves that amending a military decree of false constitution like Nigeria 1999 Constitution can never make a constitution of the people of Nigeria. The 1999 Constitution was neither written by the people nor adopted through a democratic process but was imposed by the military in 1999 through decree 24.
It again falsely claims, ‘We the people…’ gave it to ourselves, when in fact it was imposed without popular participation or consent.”
He emphasised that the legitimacy of any constitution lies in its origin, ownership, and popular ratification, none of which the 1999 Constitution can credibly claim. The organisation reiterated the outcome of the recently concluded Emergency National Constitutional Summit on the Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy, which emphasized the urgent need for a new, people-driven constitution as the foundation for a stable and inclusive democratic federation.
“We insist, and history will vindicate us, that it is in the best interest of all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria—on whose behalf today’s leaders hold office as stewards—to support the making of a new constitution by Nigerians, for Nigerians.
“The current patchwork of amending a deeply faulty document cannot address the foundational deficits of the constitution, which is at the root of Nigeria’s national challenges,” he said.
He further said that the Patriots is ready for an urgent engagement with the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that lawmakers are truly in sync with the desires, aspirations, and fundamental needs of Nigeria’s diverse peoples currently at crossroads.
He said, “We call on the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently initiate a formal engagement with The Patriots and other concerned stakeholders to chart a genuine, inclusive path forward. Nigeria cannot afford another lost opportunity. What we need is not another amendment of a fundamentally flawed document, but the democratic birth of a legitimate, people’s constitution.”
He also reaffirmed the Patriots unwavering commitment to the advancement of constitutional democracy, federalism, and national unity and pledged to continue engaging all critical stakeholders until a people-driven constitution becomes the foundation of governance in Nigeria.
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