By Barth Ikiebe
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.
A statement by the organisers signed by the spokesman, Prof Anthony Kila, on Thursday in Abuja, says the Statesmen are concerned about the rising insecurity in the country.
According to the statement, the emergency National Constitutional Summit on the future of Nigeria initially slated for June is now formally scheduled to hold between Tuesday and Thursday, July 15 and 17, 2025 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
“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 thought leaders 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, Amb Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu among others.
The Summit will also take a special address on security concern in the country from the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, representing the Nigerian Presidency, while a high-powered panel comprising, leaders of Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo 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 empanelled 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,” the statement confirmed.
