The Patriots, a group of prominent Nigerian figures led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, is set to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly in April, continuing their campaign for a new, people-driven democratic constitution.
This meeting, scheduled with both the Senate and the House of Representatives, follows a prior engagement with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on August 9, 2024.
The Patriots’ membership boasts an array of distinguished Nigerians, including Ike Nwachukwu, Tanko Yakasai, Olusegun Osoba, Alani Akinrinade, Anya O. Anya, Idika Kalu, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Philip Asiodu, Pat Utomi, Solomon Asemota (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Obong Attah, Anthony Kila, and Labaran Maku.
The group read earlier appealed to President Tinubu to convene a Constituent Assembly, enabling Nigerians from all regions to negotiate a constitution that reflects their collective will and aspirations. They maintain that only a constitution rooted in the people’s democratic mandate can effectively address the nation’s pressing challenges, including hardship, corruption, and insecurity.
These demands were reiterated during the 20th memorial anniversary of the group’s founding chairman, Chief FRA Williams, held at the FRA Williams Chambers in Lagos on Wednesday.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Mr. Olawale Okunniyi, General Secretary of The Patriots, outlined the group’s objective in engaging with the National Assembly: to urge lawmakers to amend Sections 8 and 9 of the 1999 Constitution to incorporate a Referendum/Plebiscite clause, empowering the people to demand constitutional changes at any time.
Addressing the question of whether the 2014 National Conference could serve as a Constituent Assembly, Okunniyi emphasized the necessity of a referendum to determine its membership composition. “On August 9, 2024, we met with President Bola Tinubu where we stressed that there is need to replace the 1999 Constitution which has impeded our progress as a nation. We demand the President to immediately convene a Constituent Assembly for people to negotiate their existence. A people’s democratic Constitution is way out of hardship, corruption and insecurity. The current Constitution is warped, fashioned after corruption and supports corruption. The foundation, which is the Constitution, is faulty. Only two percent of Nigerians are benefiting from the Constitution and we need to correct this anomaly. We need a Constitution of the people that works for the poorest of the poor,” Okunniyi said.
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He further detailed the group’s upcoming engagements: “Our next plan is to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly. We have made contact with the leadership of the National Assembly and the meeting will happen in April. We may meet the Senate and House of Representatives jointly or separately, however, it will happen on the same day. After meeting the National Assembly, we will, in the same April, begin zonal outreaches, advocacy to traditional rulers, influential leaders of geopolitical zones, labour leaders.”
Okunniyi criticized the failure of former President Goodluck Jonathan to submit the 2014 National Conference report as a bill to the National Assembly for a referendum by a Constituent Assembly. He noted that the 2014 Confab report, along with the 1963, 1979, 1989, and 1993 Constitutions, would serve as working documents for a future Constituent Assembly.
Beyond the National Assembly meeting, The Patriots plan to extend their advocacy to labour leaders, influential figures, leaders of thought across geopolitical zones, and traditional rulers, with zonal outreach initiatives commencing in April.
The memorial event also featured contributions from Prof Anthony Kila, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Fafa Dan-Princewill, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ezenwa, and Kayode Williams, son of the late FRA Williams.
Kayode Williams expressed optimism that The Patriots’ advocacy would succeed, affirming his belief in President Tinubu’s commitment to true federalism. Folarin Williams, another family representative, emphasized the critical role of a new constitution in establishing a sound federal structure.
