Patriots Inaugurate 31-Member Constitution Committee, Demand Reduction in Cost of Governance, Reiterate Support for Nigeria’s Unity

A group of eminent Nigerians under the platform known as The Patriots has inaugurated an Advocacy Committee with the mandate to produce an all-inclusive, people-oriented constitution that will chart a new beginning for the country.

The group, led by the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, also reiterated their strong belief in the unity of Nigeria, noting that the reference to the 1914 amalgamation that brought the Northern and Southern Protectorates together is a historical fact that The Patriots intend to address.

While inaugurating the 31-member committee led by renowned political economist Prof. Anthony Kila in the Ilupeju area of Lagos, Chief Anyaoku expressed optimism that the new constitution will address the endemic corruption and mismanagement of resources in the system.

According to him, the task of the Advocacy Committee is to spread the message that Nigeria needs a new constitution to resolve the myriad challenges confronting the nation.

Chief Anyaoku further stated that the country is underperforming in almost all sectors, including internal security, where kidnapping, armed banditry, and terrorism are rampant, while the economic, social, and education sectors are in shambles, leading to widespread hunger.

He concluded that these are the reasons driving young Nigerians, even professionals, to seek better opportunities abroad, commonly referred to as “japa.”

The leader of The Patriots insists that a truly federal constitution is what the country needs, citing the one during independence that the founding fathers negotiated and agreed to abide by.

He noted that Alhaji Ahmadu Bello used the groundnut pyramid to develop the North, while Chief Obafemi Awolowo focused on education and revenue from cocoa to spur development in the West. He added that the East developed from palm produce under Dr. Michael Okpara, with a sense of national unity being much stronger due to healthy competition among the regions.

He lamented that divisiveness and a culture of hate now undermine the unity and progress of the country.

The foremost diplomat noted that Nigeria is a pluralistic country with different cultures, religions, and ethnic biases brought together by the colonial masters in 1914 through amalgamation.

He cited some pluralistic countries that disintegrated, including Yugoslavia, which split into seven independent states, and Czechoslovakia, which divided into two countries because they could not manage their pluralistic nature.

Another country he mentioned was Sudan, which had existed for over 3,000 years but is now divided into two countries. He was quick to add examples of those who survived, including India, which has existed for almost 5,000 years, and even Canada, which adopted a constitution that has enabled it to survive to date.

In his response, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Anthony Kila, disclosed that the task before them will be to engage major stakeholders and members of the public across the country.

He said that the committee will soon be reaching out to various sectors, starting with members of the National Assembly, traditional leaders, civil society, students, as well as corporate Nigeria.

Some of the leaders of The Patriots who attended the inauguration online include General Ike Nwachukwu, Obong Victor Attah, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Dr. Bilikisu Magaro, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, Elder Solomon Asemota, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, and Senator Ben Obi.

In his acceptance speech, the new chairman of the Constitution Committee, Prof. Anthony Kila, thanked the chairman and leaders of The Patriots on behalf of his committee for the honor and privilege to serve the nation.

Kila also announced that his committee will do all they can to inform, engage, and get input from various members of the public in delivering on the mandate given to them.

Other members of the Kila Constitution Committee include Senator Shehu Sani, Dr. Bilikisu Magoro – Executive Secretary, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Mr. Samson Itodo, Madu Bright O. Alwell, Ms. Ann Kio Briggs, Mr. Fafa Dan Princewill, Mr. Zaka Bala, Mr. Kayode Samuel, Barr. Affiong L. Affiong, and Mr. Salvation Alibor.

It will be recalled that The Patriots recently visited President Bola Tinubu at the Villa to demand a people’s democratic constitution.