The former Secretary General of Commonwealth and chairman of the Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku has lauded the formal inauguration of the Advocacy Committee for a new constitution for Nigeria.
The members of the Advocacy Committee made up of over 30, cut across the federation with Professor Anthony Kila as chairman and co-chaired by Senator Shehu Sanni and Dr. Bilikisu Maguro is the executive secretary.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Committee on Monday in Lagos, Anyaoku stated that the task of the group is to mobilize the general public, different sectors of the general public, students, youth, the private sector, and all members of the general public, to sensitize them and get their support for the recommended new democratic people’s constitution.
“We in the Patriots have been happy that one of us, Professor Anthony Killa, is to be the chairman of the Advocacy Committee.
“And we’re leaving it to the Advocacy Committee to decide the ways and methods that they would choose for mobilizing the members of the public to understand and support the introduction of a new democratic people’s constitution.
“I don’t want to rehearse the grounds that we covered when we met with Mr. President as to the fact that Nigeria is a pluralistic country and that the pluralistic countries that have survived around the world have been countries that have adopted truly federal constitutions. What we’re operating now is a quasi-federal constitution, which has been in accord with the command structure of the army that equated the constitution to us,” Anyaoku said.
He added, “First, we believe that even if the wisest and best leaders on earth were sent to govern Nigeria with its present constitution, they would not be able to tackle effectively the serious challenges facing the country.
“It’s generally accepted that our country is currently under-performing in most aspects of its existence. There is insecurity of life and property fuelled by the activities of kidnappers, bandits and so called unknown gunmen. The economy is in the doldrums resulting in unprecedented mass poverty and hunger. The quality of education and health facilities has indisputably declined. The infrastructures have largely continued to delapidate. There is what one foreign leader has described as fantastic corruption in the land. And above all, there is a growing culture of divisiveness and hate which undermines the sense of national unity Altogether, the current situation in our country is driving our young people and even professionals to “japa” ie to seek greener pastures abroad.
“We appreciate the reasons for Mr. President’s prioritization of dealing with the economic challenge but we consider that a democratic people’s constitution will more assuredly facilitate the country’s pursuit of a more productive economy which will be more beneficial to the citizens.
“The truly federal constitution negotiated and agreed by Nigeria’s founding fathers of Nigeria served the country relatively well in the early years of its independence before the intervention of the military in governance which brought with it a constitutional practice that is in accordance with the command structure of the military.”
“The 1960/63 constitution gave the country more viable federating units (regions) that mostly took care of their internal security and economic development that focused on productivity. Without increase in productivity the national economy can never improve. The 1960/63 constitution enabled each federating region to give appreciable focus on education, provision of health facilities, infrastructural development, and on a healthy competition in socio-economic development which encouraged the growth of a sense of national unity.
In his remark, Kila noted that the spirit of the committee, which I has the privilege and honor of chairing, is well laid out. “The goal is to achieve a people’s democratic constitution.”
Members of the newly Inaugurated Patriots’ Strategy & Advocacy Committee are: Prof Anthony Kila – Chairman, Senator Shehu Sanni – Co – Chair, Dr Bilikisu Magoro – Secretary, Barr Tokunbo Rotimi Williams, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, Mrs Ene Obi, Barr Abubakar Azara, Ms Ann Kio Briggs, Barr Monday Ubani, SAN, Mr Samson Itodo, among others.
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