..I’ll review your demands – Tinubu
..Says strengthening Nigeria’s economy topmost priority
A former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, has asked President Bola Tinubu to convene a national constituent assembly to produce a new draft constitution for the country.
Anyaoku, who is also the Chairman of the Patriots, said this was part of the proposals put forward during the meeting with the President at the State House in Abuja.
“We put some proposals to Mr. President and we urged him to send a president’s executive bill to the National Assembly, a bill that will call for two essential measures,” Anyaoku said
According to him, the National Constituent Assembly is to consist of individuals elected by the people on a non-party basis, three individuals per state and one from the Federal Capital Territory.
He stated, “One the convening of a National Constituent Assembly, to be mandated to produce a new draft constitution. We also suggested that such a National Constituent Assembly should consist of individuals elected by the people on a non-party basis.
“Say, for example, three individuals per state, per each of the 36 states and one from the Federal Capital Territory and they should be mandated to produce a new draft constitution. And we also suggested that in the bill, the National Assembly should be asked to legislate for a national referendum because as our laws stand at the moment, we have no provision for a national referendum.
“We concluded by saying that the Draft Constitution to emerge from the constituent assembly should be subjected to the national referendum to give the people of Nigeria a chance to determine the new constitution.”
“We also talked about the current crisis of protests throughout the country. And we advised the President that in our view, the government at the federal and state levels should dialogue with the leaders of the protests,” he said.
“The government should take the initiative in dialogue with the leaders of the protests. And secondly, we advised that law enforcement agencies, namely the police and the army, should avoid using lethal weapons in the management of the protests, so that we do not have casualties, or people killed because law and order enforcement agencies are managing the protests.”
.I’ll review your demands – Tinubu
..Says strengthening Nigeria’s economy topmost priority
President Bola Tinubu has assured a group of eminent Nigerians under the aegis of The Patriots that he will review their request to send an executive bill to the National Assembly for setting up National Constituent Assembly that will come up with a draft constitution and the insertion of referendum in the constitution.
“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,” President Tinubu told The Patriots, led by the former Commonwealth General Secretary, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
The president, while receiving The Patriots at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emphasized that retooling the economy for sustainable growth and development is a major priority of his administration.
The President also assured the group that their request for the convening of a national constituent assembly with the mandate to draft a new constitution would be reviewed.:
President Tinubu expressed his respect for The Patriots and their contributions to national discourse.
”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 that I 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 believe also that it is most difficult to manage the twist 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 referendum and 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,” the president said.
President Tinubu also noted that the clamour for constitutional reforms is a longstanding issue in national discourse.
He acknowledged the examples presented by the Patriots on pluralistic countries, such as Canada and India, which have maintained unity by addressing their diversity through their constitutions.
”The avoidance of chaos is necessary to build this country and move its aspirations forward for the benefit of all of us.
”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 recommended by you and other options,” the President said.
President Tinubu also used the occasion to pay glowing tribute to the founding chairman of The Patriots, Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN, and Professor Ben Nwabueze, who succeeded him.
Describing both men and other members of The Patriot as strong believers in Nigeria, the President said the question on the minds of many Nigerians is: ”How will Nigeria be governed constitutionally, legitimately without unnecessary aches and pains of its diversity, and this needs to be addressed constitutionally, so that we can build a nation that we can proudly hand over a banner without stain to our children,” the President said, quoting a line from the second stanza of the National Anthem.
In his remarks, Chief Anyaoku said The Patriots organized a well-attended colloquium in March 2024, where it was unanimously agreed that Nigeria needs a new people’s constitution.
Chief Anyaoku expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to lead the constitutional transformation, citing his personal record as one of the greatest champions of Nigeria’s struggle for democracy
