On Friday, August 9, 2024, National Leaders of Thought, under the banner of The Patriots, an eminent group led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Their mission was to address the troubling state of Nigeria, characterised by deepening instability, insecurity, political mistrust, and significant economic challenges.
Chief Anyaoku, who led the delegation, expressed the urgency of the situation during a briefing with State House Correspondents. The meeting, attended by top government officials including the Vice President, Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief of Staff to the President, National Security Adviser, and Minister of Information, focused on the critical need for national healing and reconciliation. Chief Anyaoku emphasised that, “The interaction with the President was essentially focused on the need to encourage government to find an urgent panacea to heightening instability and insecurity in the country through a profound process of National Healing and Reconciliation.”
A press release by Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, General Secretary of The Patriots, highlighted the group’s call for a new democratic constitution, reflecting the desires expressed during the National Colloquium organised by The Patriots in March 2024. The release stated, “Nigerian Stakeholders, who participated in the Patriots organised National Colloquium held in March 2024, are massively desirous of a democratic people’s constitution for the country and therefore want the government to immediately initiate and drive the process of a fundamental political reform for the country through a major national constitutional dialogue to be consummated by an elected National Constituent Assembly in fostering national consensus and harmony for Nigeria.”
The delegation further articulated the detrimental impact of the ongoing insecurity on Nigeria’s economic productivity. They asserted that “the pervasive insecurity in Nigeria and its twin national instability have been impeding the economic productivity and prosperity of Nigeria and therefore require urgent intervention to return the country to the path of progress and stability.” The delegation linked the rise in terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, separatist agitations, and kidnappings to long-standing political distrust and national disunity. They cautioned that without addressing these foundational issues, economic reforms and policies would be futile.
To address these concerns, the group advised President Tinubu to prioritise national dialogue, urging him to “immediately prioritise national dialogue to allow Nigerians give unto themselves a new democratic people’s constitution that will take into account the recommendations of all previous Constitutional conferences of Nigeria.” They believe such a constitution would unify the nation, rekindle patriotism, and create a secure environment for increased agricultural productivity.
The delegation also addressed the ongoing nationwide hunger protests, urging the President to engage directly with protest leaders. They advised, “to douse the current tension in the country, necessitated by the ongoing nationwide Hunger protests, the delegation urged the President to urgently direct the government nationwide to immediately take the initiative of organising dialogue with leaders of the Protests on their demands.” They also recommended that security forces exercise restraint in managing these protests to prevent further escalation and casualties.
The delegation to the Presidential Engagement included prominent figures from various regions across Nigeria:
- Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, CFR (Leader of Delegation)
South East 3. Senator Ben Obi 4. Chief Simon Okeke
North Central 5. Madam Pauline Tallen 6. Dr Pogu Bitrus 7. HE Labaran Maku 8. Barr Abubakar Azara
North West 9. Senator Shehu Sanni 10. Alhaji Shettima Yerima 11. Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai
South South 12. Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN 13. Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN 14. Lady Ann Kio Briggs
North East 15. HE Boni Haruna
16. Dr Abdujalilil Tafawa Balewa
South West 17. Chief Olusegun Osoba 18. Prof Anthony Kila
- Veteran Olawale Okunniyi (Secretary to the Delegation)
The visit underscored the collective resolve of these eminent leaders to push for reforms that would stabilise Nigeria and set it on a path to lasting peace and economic prosperity.