A powerful alliance of elder statesmen, former presidents, regional leaders, civil society groups, and pro-democracy advocates have renewed calls for a new people-driven constitution that reflects Nigeria’s diversity and addresses structural flaws in governance.
This demand dominated proceedings at the National Constitutional Summit, which began Wednesday in Abuja. The event was convened by The Patriots in partnership with the Nigerian Political Summit Group (NPSG), under the theme “Actualising a Constitutional Democracy That Works for All in Nigeria.”
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General and Chair of The Patriots, opened the summit with a blistering critique of the 1999 Constitution. He described it as a “military-imposed” document that neither fosters true federalism nor represents the collective will of Nigerians.
“Our present 1999 Constitution was imposed by the military and not democratically formulated. It induces excessive administrative costs and weakens development. Nigeria needs a credible, truly federal constitution formulated by its people,” Anyaoku asserted.
He also blamed the current 36-state structure for Nigeria’s economic inefficiencies and growing insecurity.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a goodwill message, acknowledged the need for constitutional reform but insisted that leadership failure, rather than the Constitution itself, is Nigeria’s core problem.
“No matter what you do to the Nigerian Constitution, if the operators remain the same, the welfare of Nigerians will continue to suffer,” Obasanjo said.
Senator Gbenga Daniel, Co-Chairman of the Organising Committee and ex-Governor of Ogun State, described the 1999 Constitution as “consistently inadequate” and pushed for a citizen-led process to rebuild trust in governance.
Obong Victor Attah, former Akwa Ibom governor, slammed the prevailing political order as “elite authoritarianism,” arguing that true democracy remains elusive under a Constitution he described as a relic of military authoritarianism.
“Elections are no longer decided by ballots but by manipulation. Power flows from party barons, not the people,” Attah lamented.
PANDEF, represented by Ambassador Godknows Igali, called for a return to the 1963 Constitution’s federalist principles. The group demanded resource control, state policing, rotational presidency, increased derivation to oil-producing states, and a unicameral legislature.
Afenifere leaders Oba Oladipo Olaitan and Chief Femi Okurounmu backed the implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report as a blueprint for a restructured Nigeria.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, represented by Okey Nwadinobi, called for the creation of an additional state in the Southeast, state police, and an end to structural imbalance.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), through Benson Upah, stressed that Nigeria’s future cannot be left solely in the hands of political elites, urging active civic engagement and leadership accountability.
From the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Ambassador (Dr.) O. Awolọwọ Dosumu stressed the urgency of implementing the summit’s resolutions. Quoting Chief Awolowo, she said only a federal system can unite Nigeria in peace and progress.
“This summit must be a turning point,” she declared.
Notable Participants:
The summit drew a prestigious crowd, including General Ike Nwachukwu, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Barr. Femi Falana (SAN), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Chief Wole Olanipekun, among others.
As the summit continues over the next two days, expectations are high that it will chart a path toward a genuinely federal, inclusive, and people-owned constitutional framework for Nigeria’s future.
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