“Tinubu Says New Constitution Can Wait, But.
President Bola Tinubu’s stance on a new Constitution was clarified by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, after a meeting with The Patriots, a group of elder statesmen led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, at the State House in Abuja. Ngelale conveyed that Tinubu is currently focused on economic reforms, considering them his top priority. However, the President acknowledged that once these reforms are in place, he would consider constitutional review among other options.
Chief Anyaoku had earlier urged Tinubu to propose an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, advocating for the creation of a National Constituent Assembly. This Assembly would be tasked with drafting a People’s Democratic Constitution and would consist of directly elected, non-political representatives from Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT. The assembly’s deliberations would include references to the 1960/63 constitutions, the 2014 National Conference, and previous constitutional discussions. Anyaoku also suggested that the new draft Constitution be subjected to a national referendum and, if approved, be signed into law by the President.
In response, Tinubu expressed his respect for The Patriots, acknowledging their significant contributions to national dialogue. He assured them that he would consider their requests, emphasizing his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and the importance of managing the country’s diversity through constitutional means. He recognized the historical importance of constitutional reforms in addressing the nation’s challenges and expressed his intent to review the proposals while focusing on economic stability and good governance.
Tinubu also highlighted the examples of pluralistic countries like Canada and India, which have successfully maintained unity through federal constitutions. He affirmed his belief in Nigeria’s unity and pledged to take necessary actions to ensure good governance and national stability.
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