Popular leaders, civil society voices, and academics from Nigeria’s North West zone converged at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna on Tuesday, July 8.
The gathering was for an important summit town hall ahead of the National Political Summit on a New Constitution scheduled to be held in Abuja from July 15 to 16.
The meeting, organized by the Patriots Zonal Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee, is part of a nationwide consultation drive led by the Patriots group, spearheaded by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
The programme will help to seek consensus on the creation of a people-driven constitution for the nation.
The chairman of the Kaduna gathering was Professor Ibrahim Garba, with coordination by Honourable Charity Shekari. Keynote speaker, Professor Anthony Kila, who heads the national Patriots Zonal Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee, clamoured for inclusive participation and emphasised the need for a fresh constitution that transcends selfish interests.
“This is not a partisan issue. We are here to shape the kind of Nigeria we want, one that guarantees rights, security, and justice for all,” Kila said, begging Nigerians to request for what they are ready to give others.
Prof. Garba urged the North West to play its own role to shape Nigeria’s constitutional future, especially with its size, diversity, and political significance.
Speaking to stakeholders, he reiterated the need to keep educating the grassroots and increasing consultative efforts ahead of the summit.
Ex Kaduna State Attorney General, Honourable Mark Jacob, blasted the present 1999 Constitution, describing it as unworkable.
“What the National Assembly is doing amounts to patchwork. We need a brand-new constitution that reflects the genuine will of the Nigerian people,” Mark disclosed, citing the difficult amendment process as a major flaw.
Prof. Murtala Abubakar said that the summit is a crucial opportunity for the North West to bring its vision to life.
Meanwhile, Hon. Shekari stressed the need for the constitution to guarantee safety and freedom of movement, particularly for women and children.
“We must ensure our mothers and daughters feel safe and secure in every part of Nigeria,” she declared.
Other important participants were Professor Richard Ayya, Alhaji Hamisu Sharifai, Dr. Nurudeen Lawal, Mallam Yusha’u Mani, Shehu Isah, Comrade Enoch Bala, Naomi Amwento, Malama Sule Aliyu, Malama Fa’iza, Mr. Emmanuel Alamu, and Samuel Wuya.
They delivered reports on the ongoing mobilization efforts in their respective states and communities.
With major support promised for the upcoming Abuja summit, the North West stakeholders reiterated their dedication to dialogue, grassroots engagement, and national unity in their fight for a constitution “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
The National Summit is being organized by a top-level committee co-chaired by Senator Gbenga Daniel and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
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