Worried by the current state of the nation, leaders of The Patriots, ethnic nationality groups, in conjunction with the Nigerian Political Summit Group (NPSG), plan to convoke a meeting aimed at addressing constitutional issues confronting the country.
Details of the plan made available to the Nigerian Tribune by the organizers, however, showed that the leaders have yet to decide on if the two-day summit should hold in Lagos or Abuja.
The exercise is coming in the wake of outrage trailing the resurgence of banditry and killings, particularly in Plateau, Benue and Kwara states lately.
According to the national secretary of The Patriots, Comrade Olawale Okunniyi, who released the details of the event on behalf of the Joint Secretariat of The Patriots and NPSG, the leaders are to discuss the future of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
The programme indicated that 14 categories of prominent persons and professional organisations will partake at the summit to chart the way forward for the country.
These include frontline traditional rulers from each of the geo political zones; religious leaders, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the National Council for Islamic Affairs; representatives, major players in the private sector and captains of Industry, chairmen and secretaries of the 18 registered political parties, as well as leaders of the civil society and the organised Labour, leaders of ethnic nationality groups and representatives of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The summit, which is under a broad theme: Constitutional democracy that works for all in Nigeria, has been proposed for May 28 and 29, 2025 with a former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as chairman.
The convening committee, which comprises nominees from each of the six geo-political zones in the country, will be inaugurated on May 1, 2025.
While Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed will speak on: Essentials of Democratic Federalism in Nigeria; Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) will tackle the sub-theme: Actualising a new democratic Constitution for Nigeria, Senator Femi Okurounmu will treat the topic: Rotational government leadership.
Dr Oby Ezekwesili and Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo will handle; Tenure of elected political office holders and proportional representation in the Parliament, respectively.
The organisers stated that a former Chief of Defence Staff, General TY Danjuma, chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Professor Ango Abdullahi, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, founding member of The Patriots, Lieutenant Gen Alani Akinriade (retd), former chairman of the Independent National electoral commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, Major Gen Ike Nwachukwu (retd), founding member of The Patriots and ex-governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah and the chairman of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu, will deliver key note addresses.
The convening committee, which comprises nominees from each of the six geo-political zones in the country, will be inaugurated on May 1, 2025.
The members include a former governor of Ogun State and serving senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and another former governor of Sokoto State and serving senator, Senator Aminu Tambuwal as co-chairmen.
Other names on the 22-member committee consist of former Governors Boni Haruna; Donald Duke and Dr Kayode Fayemi, as well as ex-Minister Labaran maku; Professor Pat Utomi; Madam Pauline Tallen; Madam Josephine Anenih; Senator Dassy Danjuma, Senator Shehu Sani, Madam Shekari Charity, Hajia Dr Aisha Ismail, Senator Chris Anyawu; and Professor Anthony Kila, with Obongawan Barbara Etim James as secretary.
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