Nigeria: Patriots Demand New Constitution, Support Independent Candidature
The National Constitutional Summit organised by Eminent Patriots of Nigeria on Thursday called for an immediate constitutional framework that will return Nigeria to a truly federal system of government, thenationonlineng.net reported.
The group, a gathering of elder statesmen and women, intellectuals and civic leaders, rejected the 1999 Constitution as amended, insisting that the existing document was imposed on Nigerians by the military.
Chaired by former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the summit demanded a new constitution to be drafted by elected members of the Constituent Assembly.
In the resolutions of the summit jointly read to newsmen by Profs Maxwell Gidado and Mike Ozokhome SAN, the group called for an immediate constitutional framework that will return Nigeria to “where the federating units will enjoy their autonomy as obtainable in the First Republic and in other genuine democracies of the world”.
In order to get legal backing for the proposal, the group requested President Bola Ahmed to introduce an executive bill to the National Assembly to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise an election into a Constituent Assembly.
On the mode of constituting the delegates to the proposed Constituent Assembly, the summit recommended that members should be elected on a non-partisan basis as well as representatives of special interest groups.
The resolutions read: “The Assembly will rewrite a People’s Democratic Constitution that will be subjected to a referendum of the Nigerian people before it is presented to the National Assembly.
“The Assembly, in formulating the Constitution, will take into full consideration the 1960, 1963, and 1999 constitutions, the 2014 National Conference recommendations and orders for a return to genuine federalism, and the future of the united states.”
Delegates to the summit frowned at the current system of government, describing it as “too expensive, prone to abuse, and a hindrance to people’s welfare”.
It recommended that the constituent assembly should closely examine the most appropriate system of government for Nigeria.
They called for rearrangement of the six geopolitical zones in such a way as to ensure a truly federal system of government.
The summit advocated that all elections should be conducted in a single day, as it is cheaper.
“It further recommended that electronic transmission of results should be made mandatory and demanded that all election matters should be concluded before swearing.
Attendance at the summit included General Ike Nwachukwu; Ambassador Godknows Igali; Elder Solomon Asemota, SAN; former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah; former Ogun Governor Senator Gbenga Daniel; Senator Aminu Tambuwal; Senator Azuta Mbata, represented by Okey Nwadinobi; Comrade Joe Ajaero of the NLC, represented by Benson Upah; and Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma.
Others were former ministers of education. Dr Oby Ezekwesili; Prof. Pat Utomi; Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN; Barrister Femi Falana, SAN; former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih; Senator Akerele Bucknor; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Labaran Makun; Dr Alfred Mulade; former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; Senator Adetunmbi; Ankio Briggs; Dr Salamatu Suleiman; and Olawale Okunniyi, among others.
