A comprehensive constitutional reform is imperative for Nigeria if it must become a truly inclusive and prosperous country, the Patriots said at the weekend.
This was contained in a message delivered at a national dialogue organised by the Apostolic Round Table 2025 held in Lagos.
The Patriots, which comprises elder statesmen and leaders of thought under the leadership of a former secretary general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, applauded the organisers for their foresight in choosing what it described as the critical theme of One Nigeria for the roundtable.
The contribution of The Patriots was conveyed by the Under-Secretary in charge of Administration, Salvation Alibor, in which it restated its demand tabled before President Bola Tinubu, for “restructuring and people-centred constitution.”
The organisation noted that the crises currently confronting the country make it imperative for serious engagement among the stakeholders and their commitment to national unity and progress.
The Patriots submitted that fundamental restructuring was critical in tackling the severe challenges besetting Nigeria and the bid to chart the way forward.
“The challenges facing our nation today are complex and multifaceted, demanding thoughtful dialogue and a renewed commitment to unity and progress.
“The Patriots believe that a fundamental restructuring of our nation is essential to address these challenges and build a truly inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
In line with this belief, we reiterate our call for a comprehensive constitutional reform process.”
It recalled that during a courtesy visit to President Tinubu in Abuja shortly after he assumed office, Chief Anyaoku and the other leaders of The Patriots also underlined the need for National Constituent Assembly with a mandate to draft a truly people-centered constitution, that will replace the existing one produced by the military known for its command structure.
Shedding light on the proposal, the Patriots stated: “As stated in our recent appeal to the President, H.E. Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we believe that a National Constituent Assembly, comprising directly elected individuals from across the nation, is crucial to drafting a truly people-centered constitution.
“This process should be inclusive, transparent, and guided by the principles of justice, equity, and fairness.
“We further emphasise the importance of a national plebiscite to ensure that the final draft constitution reflects the genuine will of the Nigerian people.’
The Patriots expressed confidence that the deliberations and resolutions of the ART 2025 would contribute significantly to the national discourse on these critical issues, adding: “We pray that the wisdom and insights shared at this gathering will inspire concrete actions towards building a more just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens.”
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