President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s economy, emphasizing that economic reform remains his top priority. The President made this declaration on Friday during a meeting at the State House in Abuja with The Patriots, a group of distinguished Nigerians led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
During the meeting, Chief Anyaoku, speaking on behalf of The Patriots, presented a request for the convening of a national constituent assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution for Nigeria. He proposed that the assembly be composed of directly elected representatives from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, supported by constitutional lawyers. Anyaoku highlighted that this assembly should consider previous constitutions and recommendations from past national conferences to produce a people’s democratic constitution.
Chief Anyaoku also urged President Tinubu to consider legislating for a national plebiscite to subject the draft constitution to a referendum. He emphasized that if the draft is approved by the public, it should be signed by the President as the genuine constitution of the Nigerian people.
In his response, President Tinubu expressed his deep respect for The Patriots and acknowledged their significant contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape. He assured the group that their requests would not be overlooked and that he recognized the importance of addressing Nigeria’s diverse needs through constitutional measures.
“I have listened to you carefully, and this is not a group that I can ignore,” Tinubu stated. “I want to assure all of you that as soon as the current economic reforms are in place, I will review the options for constitutional reforms as recommended by you and others.”
The President acknowledged that the call for constitutional reform is a long-standing issue in Nigeria’s national discourse. He also recognized the examples of other pluralistic nations like Canada and India, which have maintained unity by addressing their diversity through constitutional means.
While focusing on economic reforms as his immediate priority, President Tinubu assured The Patriots that the government would consider their recommendations in due time to ensure the unity and stability of Nigeria.
The President also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN, and Professor Ben Nwabueze, the founding members of The Patriots, lauding their dedication to Nigeria’s development.
In closing, President Tinubu assured Chief Anyaoku and The Patriots that their submissions would be reviewed and that they would be invited for further discussions on the matter. He reiterated his commitment to building a stable and prosperous Nigeria that could be proudly passed on to future generations.
Chief Anyaoku, in his remarks, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and ability to guide Nigeria through a constitutional transformation, citing his legacy as a champion of the country’s struggle for democracy.
The meeting ended with mutual assurances of collaboration toward achieving a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of its diverse populace.
