The Patriots, in partnership with the Nigerian Political Summit Group (NPSG), is set to convene the National Summit on the future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy from Tuesday, July 15.
This was disclosed yesterday, in a press statement by the Head, Summit Joint Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi.
The Patriots, led by former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, will at the end of the meeting on Thursday, July 17, present the Draft Bill on the New Constitution to President Bola Tinubu and the 10th National Assembly.
According to the statement, the historic gathering is bringing together some of Nigeria’s most respected elder statesmen, former Presidents, serving and former Governors, national icons, captains of industry, civic leaders, and institutional stakeholders in an urgent effort to lay the foundation for a new, democratic people’s constitution that truly reflects the will, diversity, and aspirations of Nigerians.
At the heart of the summit is the endorsement and presentation of a Draft Legislative Bill for a New Constitution, a product of nationwide consultations, intellectual rigour, and inclusive political dialogue, will be submitted to both the presidency and the National Assembly.
The summit, themed: ‘Actualising a Constitutional Democracy That Works for All in Nigeria’, aims to consolidate ongoing efforts to create a viable, inclusive, and future-ready constitutional framework – moving the country away from the widely criticized and overly centralised 1999 Constitution.
“Eminent Nigerians scheduled to address the summit include Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Wole Soyinka, General T.Y. Danjuma, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Tanko Yakasai, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chief Mamman Osuman, SAN, Ambassador Godknows Igali, Elder Solomon Asemota, (SAN), Obong Victor Attah, Senator Azuta Mbata, Prof. Akin Oyebode, (SAN), Comrade Joe Ajaero of the NLC, Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Barr. Femi Falana, (SAN), and National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribaɗu, among others.
“Co-chairing the Organising Committee for the summit are, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Sokoto State. The Summit Resolutions Committee is led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, (SAN)”.
The 1999 Constitution, enacted in the twilight of military rule without extensive public consultation, has long been faulted for entrenching a unitary system that stifles federalism, undermines local governance, and fails to reflect Nigeria’s multi-ethnic, pluralistic realities.
The Summit Joint Secretariat, through its Head, Sir. Olawale Okunniyi, has already invited all stakeholders, institutions, political actors, civil society organisations (CSOs), the Media, and the general public to support and participate in the proceedings of this historic summit as Nigeria takes a decisive step towards a more equitable, participatory, and prosperous future.
