Emergency National Constitutional Summit Holds In Abuja
A wave of fiery speeches and bold declarations swept through Abuja on Wednesday as Nigeria’s top statesmen, legal minds, and political actors gathered for the opening of the National Constitutional Summit, an emergency conference convened to address the country’s growing constitutional, governance and security crises. The summit resumes Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at a new venue—the Conference Hall of NICON Luxury Hotel.
Organised by The Patriots in collaboration with the Nigerian Political Summit Group (NPSG), the summit’s first day was marked by blunt indictments of the 1999 Constitution, searing criticism of the judiciary and legislature, and urgent calls for a new people-driven constitutional order.
In a keynote address, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and Chairman of The Patriots, denounced the 1999 Constitution as a “military-imposed decree” that has failed Nigeria’s multi-ethnic makeup and stifled national development.
He cited Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, pervasive poverty, youth disillusionment, and weakening national unity as direct consequences of the current constitutional structure. Rejecting the argument that leadership alone is Nigeria’s problem, Anyaoku insisted that a flawed constitutional system breeds weak leadership.
In one of the most impassioned speeches of the day, prominent human rights lawyer Chief Femi Falana SAN accused Nigeria’s judiciary—especially the Supreme Court—of sabotaging efforts to introduce electronic voting technologies that would secure credible elections.
“I say without fear of contradiction that Nigerian courts are totally opposed to any form of electronic voting,” Falana said . “They ruled card readers illegal, made BVAS optional, and continue to frustrate reforms.”
He also blasted the National Assembly, describing its ongoing constitutional amendment process as a “sham” and expressing doubt in its willingness to pass legislation that would mandate electronic transmission of election results.
Falana concluded with a dire warning: “The only way you can throw away the 1999 Constitution is through a revolution. The current political class is too invested in this broken system.”
In a message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary General of The Patriots, former President Olusegun Obasanjo offered a counterpoint. While acknowledging the need for constitutional reforms, he asserted that the real challenge lies with those entrusted to operate the Constitution.
Obasanjo criticized the political leadership of the last 15 years for ignoring morality, decency, and national interest, warning that even a perfect constitution would be undermined under such conditions.
Co-Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee and Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the summit as a citizen-driven intervention, not a partisan or confrontational gathering.
He revealed that the summit’s recommendations will be formally presented to the Presidency and National Assembly, thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing a conducive atmosphere for the event to hold.
Summit Continues Thursday with Expanded Participation
