Nigeria’s Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Calls for National Constituent Assembly to Reform Constitution

A prominent Nigerian figure, Emeka Anyaoku, has urged President Bola Tinubu to convene a national constituent assembly to produce a new draft constitution for the country. Anyaoku, a former Commonwealth Secretary-General and Chairman of the Patriots, made the call during a meeting with the President at the State House in Abuja.

According to Anyaoku, the proposed national constituent assembly would consist of individuals elected by the people on a non-party basis, with three representatives from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and one from the Federal Capital Territory. The assembly would be mandated to produce a new draft constitution, which would then be subject to a national referendum to give the people of Nigeria a chance to determine the new constitution.

Anyaoku also emphasized the importance of dialogue between the government and the leaders of ongoing protests across the country. He advised the President to take the initiative in dialogue with the protest leaders and for law enforcement agencies to avoid using lethal weapons in the management of the protests.

The proposals were part of a package put forward by Anyaoku and the Patriots during their meeting with the President. They also urged the President to send a president’s executive bill to the National Assembly, which would call for two essential measures: the convening of the national constituent assembly and the legislation of a national referendum.

Anyaoku’s call for constitutional reform comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with numerous challenges, including economic instability and political unrest. The country’s current constitution has been criticized for being outdated and in need of reform. Anyaoku’s proposal offers a potential solution to this issue and could pave the way for a more inclusive and representative government in Nigeria.