00:00A growing number of voices across Nigeria are uniting to demand a new constitution,
00:09one that truly reflects the country's diversity and aspirations. At the heart of this call is
00:15a powerful coalition of elder statemen, political leaders, civil society groups,
00:20and regional advocates who gather in Abuja for the National Constitutional Summit.
00:26Organized by the Patriot in partnership with the Nigerian Political Summit group,
00:31the three-day dialogue seeks to address what many describe as deep-rooted flaws in the 1999 constitution.
00:46Leading the charge was former Commonwealth Secretary-General and Chair of the Patriot,
00:51Chief Emeka Anyonko, Umai Snowworth, as he described the 1999 constitution as military-imposed
00:58and lacking the spirit of true federalism.
01:02I welcome you all to this strictly non-partisan national summit,
01:14organized by the Patriots and the Nigerian Political Summit group.
01:20The Patriots, as you know, is a group of respected elder statesmen and women who are committed
01:36to achieving the unity and good governance of Nigeria under a suitable people's democratic constitution
01:50of its diverse peoples. Our present 1999 constitution, as amended, is not such a constitution.
02:07He argued that the pluralistic nature of Nigeria requires a people-driven document that ensures equity, unity, and accountable governance.
02:31Former President Ulushegwambasaja, in a good rule message, supported the call for reform but pointed the spotlight on the people operating the system.
02:41Also speaking, Senator Ogbenga Daniel, Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee and former Ogun State Governor,
02:48described the 1999 constitution as consistently inadequate, particularly in the areas of governance, inclusion, and national coercion.
02:57We are here because, as we have been told, the existing structure established by the 1999 constitution
03:05has consistently proven to be inadequate, ineffectively addressing the core issues related to governance, equity, inclusion, and national coercion.
03:20Former Akwaibom Governor, Ubong Victor Atta, went further, describing Nigeria's current political system as elite authoritarianism rather than democracy.
03:32Serpentry must return to the people. We must get rid of this unity system and instead the federal system of governance that our family fathers have agreed to.
03:46Through federalizing must be guaranteed maximum autonomy to the federality units.
03:54Cost of politics must be brought down to open space for inclusiveness and real leadership.
04:02In the Democratic legislature, with ministers appointed only from elected representatives, must be reinstated.
04:10Real mechanisms for contemplating recall and sanction for non-performing and deviant public officers must also be instituted.
04:22Regional Interest Group also made strong submissions. Pan-Niger Delta Forum, represented by Ambassador God knows eagerly, proposed a return to the principles of the 1963 constitution,
04:34calling for resource control, state police, a unicameral legislature, and a rotational presidency.
04:41With a very open heart to share the dialogue and to see how we can make a better country.
04:47The greatest black nation that has ever existed in history, we can do it, and this conference will set a queue for the future. I thank you very much.
04:56Afeniferi called for the adoption of the 2014 national conference report as a working document.
05:03And we hope that this summit will inspire the federal government to immediately start and expedite the process of retooling our current constitutional platform by popular participation beyond the normal annual talking amendments.
05:25In this regard, Afeniferi recommends to the organizers of this conference the reports of the 2014 national conference are drawn to the draft constitution based on it as working documents for this summit.
05:47In addressing the constitution, there are a few areas that are important to us. And those areas, I will just summarize, number one, is the creation of additional states in the southeast.
06:11Even the Nigerian Labour Congress weighed in. In a message delivered by Ben Sen Opa, the NLC argued that Nigeria's sovereignty is too important to be left solely to politicians.
06:23It urged Nigerians to reflect and demand a system that prioritizes the common good.
06:28As calls for a people-led constitutional process grew louder, can this summit ignite real change in the country?
06:36Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
06:38Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
