The Patriots call for referendum, new constitution, in meeting with President Tinubu

By Kunle Sanni

The Patriots, a respected group of Nigerian statesmen led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, has called on President Bola Tinubu to convene a constituent assembly aimed at drafting a new democratic and pluralistic constitution for the nation.

During a meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Friday, Anyaoku and his delegation presented a detailed proposal to the president, emphasizing the urgent need for a federal constitution that reflects Nigeria’s diverse makeup.

Speaking to the press afterward, Anyaoku urged President Tinubu to introduce an executive bill to the National Assembly. This bill, he noted, would initiate a national referendum to secure public approval for the proposed constitution.

The proposal outlines the formation of a 109-member constituent assembly, composed of representatives elected on a non-party basis—three from each of the 36 states and one from the Federal Capital Territory. The assembly would be tasked with drafting the new constitution, which would then be put to a national vote to ensure its legitimacy and acceptance by the Nigerian populace.

“We presented several proposals to Mr. President, urging him to send a president’s executive bill to the National Assembly. This bill should call for two essential measures: the convening of a National Constituent Assembly and the mandate to produce a new draft constitution,” Anyaoku stated.

He emphasized the necessity of a pluralistic constitution for Nigeria to address its multifaceted development challenges. Drawing comparisons with countries like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Sudan—nations that faced disintegration due to their failure to manage pluralism through a federal constitution—Anyaoku highlighted the stability of countries like India and Canada, which have thrived under pluralistic constitutions.

“Nigeria is inherently a pluralistic country,” Anyaoku emphasized. “History shows that countries addressing their pluralism through true federal constitutions have survived, as seen in India and Canada. Conversely, those that neglected this critical aspect, like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Sudan, have faced disintegration.”

On a related note, The Patriots also addressed the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, urging President Tinubu to engage in dialogue with the protest leaders. The group called on both federal and state governments to prioritize peaceful engagement and advised security agencies to refrain from using lethal force in managing the crisis.