A Nation at a Crossroads: Eminent Nigerians Renew Calls for a New Constitution at 2025 Patriots’ Summit

In what many are already describing as a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history, the 2025 National Constitutional Summit—organized by The Patriots and the Nigerian Political Summit Group—gathered together an extraordinary coalition of elder statesmen, intellectuals, civil society leaders, youth advocates, and traditional authorities on the 16th at the Transcorp Hotel and 17th at Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja. Their mission: to reignite Nigeria’s constitutional destiny by demanding the replacement of the 1999 Constitution with a people-driven, inclusive, and enduring document that genuinely reflects the aspirations of its diverse citizens.

The Patriots, led by the distinguished elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, have long served as a moral compass in Nigeria’s search for democratic maturity. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the group has been at the forefront of advocating for genuine federalism, constitutional reform, and good governance.

In previous years, The Patriots held town halls meetings, submitted memoranda to government panels, and consistently challenged the legitimacy of the 1999 Constitution, describing it as a military imposition rather than a consensual social contract. The 2025 summit builds upon these efforts, expanding the dialogue and intensifying the urgency.

Participants at the Summit at Transcorp, Abuja

Held under the theme “Reclaiming Our Sovereignty; Rebuilding Our Nation,” the summit opened with a powerful address from Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who reiterated that Nigeria’s current constitutional framework was “not democratically formulated” and thus ill-suited to the country’s pluralistic composition. He condemned persistent national ailments—escalating insecurity, economic hardship, widespread corruption, and infrastructural decline—as symptoms of a flawed system.

Anyaoku called for a national constitutional convention, where representatives are specifically elected to draft a new constitution, with its final adoption ratified by a nationwide referendum.

“The time has come to entrust the Nigerian people with the authority to define how they want to be governed. This is the essence of democracy,” he declared to thunderous applause.

“The time has come to entrust the Nigerian people with the authority to define how they want to be governed. This is the essence of democracy,”

— Chief Emeka Anyaoku

Participants at the Summit

Former Akwa Ibom Governor and Chairman of The Compatriots, Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, offered one of the most sobering reflections of the day. He labeled the 1999 Constitution “a fraudulent military decree” that nullifies the principle of sovereignty and warned that failing to correct this foundational flaw could result in national disintegration.

He advocated for a return to the more regionally empowering 1963 Constitution, restoration of true federalism, and a move towards a unicameral legislature for efficiency and accountability.

“This summit may be the last peaceful opportunity to fix Nigeria. We must define a timeline and roadmap to birth a truly people’s Constitution.”

— Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah

In a written speech delivered on his behalf, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State and co-chair of the Organising Committee, framed the summit as a historic turning point in Nigeria’s struggle for equity, justice, and sustainable governance.

Tambuwal celebrated the diverse and participatory nature of the summit, emphasizing that the effort is more than an elite exercise—it is the people’s constitutional rebirth.

“Our task is not just about cosmetic amendments, but profound transformation. We must listen not only to the loudest voices, but also to the unheard—across all regions, age groups, and social strata.”

— Sen. Aminu Tambuwal

He paid tribute to the leadership of Chief Anyaoku and the tireless grassroots mobilization by Professor Anthony Kila and the Patriots Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee. Tambuwal appealed for open dialogue, warning against partisan rigidity and emphasizing unity over division.

Renowned constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN) called for a state of emergency to revamp Nigeria’s fractured political party system. He described himself as “a Made-in-Nigeria product” who cannot endorse a return to the 1999 Constitution under any guise.

Asemota advocated for a national Oputa Panel-style approach—named after the famous 1999 Truth and Reconciliation Commission—as a framework for resolving grievances and initiating healing.

Co-Chair of the Organising Committee and former Ogun State Governor, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, highlighted the summit’s deeply participatory essence.

“This moment is not an end, but a new beginning,”

Chief Solomon Asemota, SAN

“This moment is not an end, but a new beginning,” Daniel said, emphasizing that the summit’s final resolutions would be submitted to the Presidency and the National Assembly for legislative action.

He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing an enabling environment for such a critical national discourse.

In his message, the prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Femi Falana, asserts that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution will not be changed by the current political establishment, arguing that the only path to a new foundational document is “through a revolution.”

Falana claimed that the nation’s executive and legislative arms of government are “very, very comfortable” with the current constitution and its inherent flaws, which enable electoral manipulation and the concentration of power at the centre.

In a speech that challenged the efficacy of conventional reform efforts, Falana dismissed the ongoing constitutional review by the National Assembly as a disingenuous charade.

“Let’s not deceive ourselves. The constitution will be subjected to periodic review. As long as you have the current political system in place,” Falana stated, before making his most provocative point:

“The only way you can throw away the 1999 constitution is through a revolution. And I’m saying this, only the current political system, the executives and the legislative organs of government are very, very comfortable with the current constitution.”

Also lending their voices were prominent national figures including: Prof. Pat Utomi, renowned political economist and democracy advocate; Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former World Bank Vice President and vocal reformist; Prof. Osagie Anyaoku, academic and political thinker; Chief Akerele Bucknor, former Lagos Deputy Governor and patriot of longstanding.

As deliberations progress, key national issues such as electoral reforms, state policing, fiscal federalism, gender representation, and youth inclusion remain at the heart of discussions. With participants drawn from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including traditional rulers, women leaders, and civil society groups, the summit’s outputs are expected to catalyze a structured campaign for constitutional restructuring.

While doubts linger about the political will to implement far-reaching changes, the summit has already achieved something significant: rekindling the national conversation about identity, governance, and justice.

Chief Anyaoku closed his remarks with a call to history and conscience:

“If this effort fails, let it not be because we lacked the vision or courage. Let it not be because we failed to act when the opportunity came.”

For Nigeria, that opportunity may well have arrived at the 2025 Patriots’ Summit.

The Patriots is formed in the early 2000s, it is a group of respected elder statesmen, legal minds, and intellectuals advocating for a just and federal Nigeria. Over the years, it has included members such as the late Chief Rotimi Williams, Justice Kayode Eso, and Prof. Ben Nwabueze. The group seeks a restructured Nigeria where power is decentralized, the constitution is people-based, and every ethnic group has a fair stake in the union.