State Of The Nation: Anyaoku-Led Patriots Meet Tinubu, Demand ‘Peoples’ Constitution

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to push for for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

But this will be done after the ongoing economic reform, the president said.

Tinubu made the remark when he met with The Patriots, a group of eminent Nigerians led by a former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the group had requested that the president send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, for the amendment of the Constitution, and formation of a Constituent Assembly to draft a new “peoples’ constitution’ for the country, after the draft document has been approved by Nigerians through a referendum.

Speaking President Tinubu said the ongoing reform by his government is necessary to turn the country around, saying as a country ‘we have no other choice” if Nigerians want a better and more prosperous nation to emerge from current economic quagmire.

He said once the administration is through with the reforms he will send a bill to the NASS to change the constitution.

The Patriots demands, the  statement said include, ”The convening of a national constituent assembly with the mandate to produce a draft people’s democratic constitution. On a non-political basis, the constituent assembly should be of directly elected individuals from the 36 states of the federation, possibly three individuals per state and one from the FCT.

”They should be assisted by seven constitutional lawyers, one drawn from each of the six geopolitical zones and the FCT.  The deliberations of the constituent assembly should take into full account the 1960/63 constitutions, as well as the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference and indeed of the various national conferences that considered the Nigerian constitutions.

”The draft constitution, produced by the constituent assembly, should be put to a national referendum, and if approved, should then be signed by the President as the genuine Nigerian people’s constitution.”

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Responding President Tinubu said, ”I have listened to you carefully, and this is not a group that I can ignore. This is a group of patriots reflecting the heart and aspirations of society. I thank all of you for being here.

”I have faced the challenge of this democracy inherited from your struggles. I must recognise the fact that these challenges are most required for good governance.

”We have no other choice, and I also believe it is most difficult to manage the twists and turns of democratic governance.

”I want to assure all of you that, as I listened to your two major requests on the path to a referendum, that should lead to constitutional measures that will fit our diversity and governance so that we avoid conflicts and break-ups.

”I believe in the unity of this country, and I want to assure you that whatever is necessary to put happiness and good governance in the hands of all Nigerians is what I would do.

”I am currently preoccupied with economic reform. That is my first priority. Once this is in place, as soon as possible, I will look at other options, including constitutional review as you recommended and other options,” Tinubu said.