July 07, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s eminent leaders of thought, statesmen and women under the umbrella of The Patriots led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of The Commonwealth, are currently intensifying plans and consultations to convene an emergency National Constitutional Summit initiated in collaboration with the Nigerian Political Summit Group, NPSG.
Coming at a time the Nigerian National Assembly (NASS) is holding town hall meetings as part of a constitutional amendment process across the six geo-political zones in the country, the summit has a chance to make informed inputs into the ongoing amendment debates designed to gather input from citizens across the country on proposed changes to the 1999 Constitution.
The NASS aims to conclude the constitutional and electoral reform process by the end of 2025.
According to the National Assembly leaders, the town hall meetings are part of a broader effort to review and potentially amend the Nigerian Constitution, with a focus on issues like devolution of powers, fiscal federalism and electoral reforms.
Similarly, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is actively engaging in a National Dialogue focused on constitutional amendments, specifically regarding local government reform, the national summit may have the opportunity to make inputs into the ongoing constitutional town hall meetings across the country.
The NASS dialogue, which a collaborative effort with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), involves various stakeholders and aims to address key issues like financial and administrative autonomy for local government councils, ensuring fair elections and promoting accountability.
The Committee plans to hold a plenary debate in October, with voting in mid-October and transmission of the bills to State Assemblies by the end of the month, with the goal of completing the entire process by December 2025.
The House Committee on Constitution Review has been actively engaging with various stakeholders, including women’s groups and civil society organisations, to gather input and feedback on proposed amendments. The dialogue is expected to address several critical areas, including local government reforms in the areas of financial and administrative autonomy, ensuring free and fair elections and promoting accountability and transparency; women’s participation in governance with a focus on promoting women’s involvement in politics and governance through constitutional amendments, alongside support from organizations like the European Union in Nigeria.
The committee aims to complete the constitutional amendment process by December 2025, with a plenary debate, voting and transmission of bills to State Assemblies expected in the coming months.
Spokesman of the NPSG, Prof Anthony Kila, said the statesmen are concerned about the worsening insecurity in the country.
According to him, the emergency National Constitutional Summit on the future of Nigeria, which was initially scheduled for June, will now formally take place between Tuesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 17, 2025 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “The Confab will be chaired by Mr Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, Chairman of The Patriots and supported by key eminent leaders from the six geo political zones of Nigeria.
“A Confab Coordinating Committee inaugurated on May 1 in Lagos under the joint leadership of two former Governors, who are presently serving as Senators, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State are currently mobilising broad support from state governors, eminent leaders of thought and government gate keepers towards a successful Constitutional Confab that will enrich the ongoing constitution reform process of the National Assembly,” the statement added.
“Already confirmed to address the historic Summit on their reflections and experiences on the constitutional journey of Nigeria so far are former Presidents Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, while confirmation from General Yakubu Gowon is still being awaited.
“However, General Abdulsalami Abubakar is said to be currently out of the country at the moment. In the same vein, Goodwill Messages at the Summit will be given by key traditional and religious leaders from the six Geo political zones, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, Obi of Onitsha, Emir of Kano, Muslim and Christian clerics among others.
Some eminent leaders of thought listed to make special interventions at the Summit are Prof Wole Soyinka, General TY Danjuma, Mallam Tanko Yakassai, Prof Ango Abdullahi, Chief Olu Falae, General Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Afe Babalola, Chief Phillip Asiodu, Oba Olaitan Oladipo, Obong Victor Attah, General Alani Akinriade, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Elder Solomon Asemota, SAN, Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma and Amb Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, among others.
The Summit will also take a special address on security concerns in the country from the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, representing the Nigerian Presidency, while a high-powered panel comprising, leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo and PANDEF will address the deep-seated constitutional questions in Nigeria and offer proposals on urgent political reforms of the country.
The Summit Joint Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General of The Patriots, Olawale Okunniyi, is currently contacting state governors to send their lists of 24 delegates each for the summit to build consensus on the system and structure of the constitutional democracy most suitable for Nigeria, while other interest groups, including ethnic nationality movements, are expected to send a delegation of not more than 20 representatives each to the historic national confab.
“A selected team of former presidential candidates will be empaneled to propose viable electoral reforms for the country, while solidarity messages will be taken from the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, the organised civil society, Persons with Special Needs, Women and Youth Representatives, among other special interest bodies in the country,” Kila said.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
