Ahead of the proposed National Political Summit on a New Constitution for Nigeria convened by the Patriots, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, eminent leaders from the North West, comprising leaders from all the states and representatives of various interest groups within the geopolitical zone, gathered in Kaduna at the Arewa House on June 8, 2025.
This was for a town hall meeting to deliberate on a position for the zone ahead of the Patriots National Constitution Summit scheduled for July 15 and 16, 2025.
It is to be held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The event, organised by the Patriots Zonal Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee, was chaired by Professor Ibrahim Garba and coordinated by Honourable Charity Shekari.
Professor Anthony Kila, the National Chairman of the Patriots Zonal Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee, was the guest speaker.
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The gathering, among other things, emphasised the need for the future constitution of Nigeria to pay special attention to the security of lives and property, as well as the diversity of the country’s people.
Professor Garba, in his remarks, reminded all that the North West, with its size and shape, should play a leading role in shaping a future constitution and in hosting the July Patriots National Constitution Summit.
He also encouraged participants to continue their efforts to raise awareness and gather input from all parts of the zone.
Leading participants who contributed during the meeting included the Hon. Mark Jacob, Prof. Murtala Abubakar, Prof. Richard Ayya, Alhaji Hamisu Sharifai, Dr. Nurudeen Lawal, Mallam Yusha’u Mani, and Shehu Isah.
In line with the position of the chairman, Prof. Abubakar noted: “This is a significant opportunity that the patriots have offered the people of the North West to express our thoughts, concerns and ideas about the new constitution for Nigeria and urged people to make the most of it.”
In her remarks, Hon. Shekari said: “The journey towards a people’s constitution undertaken by the patriots is a long road, started long ago, and we hope to achieve it soon.
“The country needs a constitution that guarantees security nationwide and allows people to move safely and freely from one part of the country to another.
“We must ensure our mothers and daughters feel safe and secure.”
Jacob pointed out that “we need a truly people’s constitution that reflects the will of the people”.
The former Attorney General of Kaduna State said the current constitution is not a genuine people’s constitution, adding: “What the National Assembly is doing is amendments that do not address the core of the constitution.”
He said the current constitution is effectively un-amendable because of the process that makes it dependent on the state houses of assembly, which are mostly absent.
He said: “We therefore need a new constitution that is more effective and easier to amend.”
In his remarks, Prof. Kila thanked the leadership of the North West Patriots Zonal Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee for their efforts, pointing out that the constitution project was not a partisan matter but a venture that must involve all Nigerians.
The don also explained that in suggesting demands and designs, “we must all ensure to ask for what we are willing to give others”.
Others leading participants who intervened at the meeting were Comrade Enoch Bala, Naomi Amwento, Emmanuel Alamu, Malama Sule Aliyu, Malama Fa’iza, and Samuel Wuya.
All the participants provided updated reports on the awareness and consultation projects in their states, as well as questions from people in their states and groups.
The leaders from each state and group committed to maintaining and even strengthening their awareness and consultation efforts, while also accelerating preparations for the July summit, which is organised by a committee co-chaired by Senator Gbenga Daniel and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
