By Milcah Tanimu

In a move to reshape Nigeria’s constitutional framework, a group of prominent statesmen, The Patriots, led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a constituent assembly. The group met with the president at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, where they proposed drafting a “people’s democratic pluralistic constitution” to address the nation’s diverse challenges.

Following the meeting, Anyaoku urged President Tinubu to introduce an executive bill to the National Assembly, advocating for a national referendum to validate the proposed constitution. He emphasized that a 109-member constituent assembly should be formed, with individuals elected on a non-partisan basis, to draft the new constitution.

Anyaoku highlighted the importance of a pluralistic constitution, drawing comparisons to countries like India and Canada, which have successfully managed their diversity through federal systems. Conversely, he warned that nations such as Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Sudan faced disintegration due to their failure to address pluralism effectively.

The proposal is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring Nigeria’s stability and development amidst its complex social and political landscape.