President Bola Tinubu welcomed The Patriots, a distinguished group of eminent Nigerians, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth.
The meeting also highlighted a pivotal discussion on the potential drafting of a new constitution, a request brought forth by the group.
President Tinubu emphasized that strengthening Nigeria’s economy remains the foremost priority of his administration. He acknowledged the complex challenges of democratic governance and expressed his dedication to implementing necessary economic reforms.
“I am currently preoccupied with economic reform. That is my first priority,” Tinubu stated. “Once this is in place, as soon as possible, I will look at other options, including constitutional review.”
Led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General,
The Patriots appealed to President Tinubu to consider the convening of a national constituent assembly. This assembly would be tasked with drafting a new people’s democratic constitution, composed of directly elected individuals from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with seven constitutional lawyers representing the six geopolitical zones and the FCT.
Chief Anyaoku outlined the group’s vision, stating, “The constituent assembly should take into full account the 1960/63 constitutions, the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, and various other national conferences that have considered the Nigerian constitutions.”
The Patriots further proposed that the draft constitution, once completed, should undergo a national plebiscite. If approved, it would then be signed into law by the President, ensuring it reflects the genuine will of the Nigerian people.
This approach aims to address the nation’s diversity and foster unity, drawing on examples from pluralistic countries like Canada and India.
President Tinubu expressed his respect for The Patriots and their significant contributions to national discourse. He assured the group that their requests would be carefully reviewed. “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,” Tinubu remarked.
He also paid tribute to the founding chairman of The Patriots, Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN, and Professor Ben Nwabueze, highlighting their unwavering belief in Nigeria. Tinubu acknowledged the need for constitutional measures that address the nation’s diversity, promising, “Whatever is necessary to put happiness and good governance in the hands of all Nigerians is what I would do.”
President Tinubu invited Chief Anyaoku and The Patriots for further discussions to delve deeper into their proposals.
“As you present this, just believe that it will be reviewed, and I commit myself to the belief that you want a stable and prosperous Nigeria,” he concluded.
Chief Anyaoku expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, citing his record as a champion of Nigeria’s struggle for democracy. The Patriots organized a well-attended colloquium in March 2024, where it was unanimously agreed that Nigeria needs a new people’s constitution.
