A national summit convened in Abuja has called for the immediate replacement of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, declaring it flawed, illegitimate, and incapable of addressing the country’s challenges.
The two-day summit, held from July 16 to 17, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton and Nicon Luxury Hotels, was organised by The Patriots — a coalition of elder statesmen, civic leaders, and intellectuals — led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in partnership with the Nigerian Political Summit Group (NPSG).
In a detailed communiqué issued at the end of the event, delegates from across Nigeria and the diaspora unanimously demanded a new, people-driven Constitution anchored on true federalism, equity, and inclusive governance.
The summit criticised the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for lacking legitimacy, stating it was imposed by the military and has failed to support genuine democracy and development.
Key resolutions include:
- A new Constitution to replace the 1999 version through a Constituent Assembly elected on a non-partisan basis.
- A national referendum on the draft Constitution before presidential assent.
- Return to true federalism, with devolution of powers to federating units and restructuring of the geopolitical zones.
- Reduction in the cost of governance, including scrapping the bicameral legislature and capping the number of political appointments.
- Creation of state police and restructuring of the judiciary for faster and more localized justice delivery.
- Electoral reforms, including single-day voting and mandatory use of electronic transmission of results.
- Ban on political defections, with seats automatically declared vacant upon cross-carpeting.
- Protection of women, youth, minorities and persons with special needs through constitutional guarantees.
- Diaspora voting rights, given the estimated 15 million Nigerians abroad.
The summit also demanded a constitutional provision affirming Nigeria's status as a secular state and called for a comprehensive restructuring of the country’s security and economic systems.
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, speaking on behalf of the organisers, described the summit as “a historic step toward national renewal,” and urged leaders to act swiftly on the resolutions.
The communiqué is to be forwarded to the Presidency, National Assembly, and relevant institutions as a citizen-backed framework for national transformation.
