President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to economic reform as the top priority of his administration, while also acknowledging the need for a review of Nigeria’s constitution. This came during a meeting with The Patriots, a group of distinguished Nigerians led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
The group, which has been vocal about the need for constitutional changes, visited President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
Chief Anyaoku presented two main requests on behalf of The Patriots. Firstly, he asked for the establishment of a national constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.
This assembly, he suggested, should be composed of individuals directly elected from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Additionally, he proposed that the assembly be supported by seven constitutional lawyers from various regions of the country.
Chief Anyaoku also called for a national plebiscite to be held, allowing the Nigerian people to vote on the proposed draft constitution once it is completed.
He emphasised that the new constitution should take into account the 1960 and 1963 constitutions, as well as the recommendations from the 2014 National Conference and other previous discussions on constitutional reforms.
In response, President Tinubu acknowledged the importance of The Patriots’ proposals and their role in national discourse. He expressed respect for their efforts and reassured them that their request would be reviewed.
However, he made it clear that his current focus is on economic reform, which he considers a more immediate priority.
“I want to assure you that as I listened to your two major requests on the path to referendum and constitutional measures, I believe in the unity of this country and will do what is necessary to ensure good governance and happiness for all Nigerians,” President Tinubu stated. He acknowledged that the issue of constitutional reform is a longstanding one, often debated in Nigerian politics.
The President highlighted the need to avoid chaos and promote national stability by learning from the experiences of other diverse countries like Canada and India. He stressed that while constitutional reform is important, his administration’s immediate focus is on strengthening the economy to ensure sustainable growth.
“We must first address the economic challenges facing our country. Once we have made progress in this area, I will consider other options, including the constitutional review as you have recommended,” he added.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also paid tribute to Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN, and Professor Ben Nwabueze, former leaders of The Patriots. He acknowledged their significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey and their dedication to the country’s development.
Chief Anyaoku expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and his ability to handle the constitutional transformation. He noted that The Patriots had organized a well-attended colloquium in March 2024, where the consensus was that Nigeria needs a new constitution drafted by the people.
Responding, President Tinubu assured Chief Anyaoku that further discussions on the proposals would be arranged. “You can be sure that your suggestions will be reviewed, and I remain committed to the vision of a stable and prosperous Nigeria,” he concluded.
This meeting marks a crucial point in the ongoing national debate about Nigeria’s constitution and economic strategy.
