Why We Demand A New Constitution – The Patriots

The Patriots, a group of prominent Nigerians and elder statesmen, have reiterated their call for a new constitution to address the country’s challenges.

Following concerns about their recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu on August 9, the group, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, emphasized that the 1999 Constitution is fundamentally flawed and too undemocratic to be effectively amended.

The Patriots agreed with a statement by Mallam Tanko Yakassai regarding the need for broad consultations to develop a truly federal constitution for Nigeria.

The group believes that combining elements from the 1963 Constitution with recommendations from various stakeholders could result in a much-needed new constitution.

In a statement issued by its Secretary, Comrade Wale Okunniyi, the group clarified to Yakassai that their proposal to the President was the result of extensive consultations, including a National Dialogue (Colloquium) in March 2024.

During this event, participants from across the country resolved to push for a new constitution to address the flaws in the current military-imposed document, which they believe has hindered good governance and stability in Nigeria.

The Patriots expressed regret that Mallam Yakassai was unable to attend the colloquium after following due process and consultations with the group’s Secretariat.

They urged all Nigerians to freely share their views on the Proposed Constitutional Conference, emphasizing that the current unitary and undemocratic constitution has made effective governance in Nigeria, a diverse nation, highly problematic.

The Patriots said: “Most Nigerians are aware of the country’s leadership deficit at all levels as a nation, and the lack of discipline and commitment at all levels to make sacrifice for the country. However, it’s the considered view of Stakeholders at the last National Dialogue (Colloquium ) that the problems of good and effective governance in Nigeria go far beyond the conduct of the operators of the constitution and that the failures and impunity of the operators of the constitution is aided by the fundamental flaws in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

“The need for our leaders and citizens to work on our values and commitment to good governance at all levels is self evident. But a coherent, democratic and workable federal constitution that guarantees and takes into account our pluralism and peculiarities as a nation is a sine qua non to the unity, stability, security, orderly governance and rapid development of Nigeria.

“As many experts and opinion molders have pointed out, the Republican constitution of 1963 and the summation of the 2014 National Constitutional Conference offer a possible pathway to arriving at a truly federal constitution which should be negotiated by all the peoples of Nigeria and approved in a referendum as is the case in all democratic federations around the Word.

“The argument by some other commentators that there is nothing wrong with the present constitution, and that all the problems of Nigeria come from the operators is self serving and far from the truth. Our difficulties as a nation come from both the operators and from the various military imposed constitutions, including the present one, foisting unitary autocratic system of governance on the country instead of democratic federalism which Nigerians desire.

“A new democratic people’s Constitution of Nigeria will, no doubt, inspire and encourage a wave of patriotic values and commitments from our leaders and citizens at all levels to make our country work again. So, Let the debate go on without the normal blackmail and that often distracts our nation from normal, healthy national conversations.”