*THE PATRIOTS AND THE INEVITABILITY OF RESETTING NIGERIA. ( 2 )*
*RE: A CONSTITUTION THAT WORKS FOR ALL NIGERIANS.*
Following my rebroadcast of the Inauguration Ceremony of Convening/Coordinating Committee of The National Summit on the Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy initiated by The Patriots, in collaboration with Nigerian Political Summit Group(NPSG), which will take place at Abuja from 10th to 11th June, 2025, below is my public submission to the Patriots on some key issues that many Nigerians will want to see in a Constitution that works for all. It is not exhaustive, but these fundamentals many Nigerians believe will go a long way in helping to RESET NIGERIA for 30 years in the first instance, commencing 2031.
_SUGGESTED KEY PILLARS BY CONCERNED PATRIOTIC NIGERIANS FOR A CONSTITUTION TO RESET NIGERIA._
(*i )Guaranteeing of Fundamental Human Rights for all Nigerian Citizens and Legal Residents, & Strict adherence to the Rule of Law.*
*(ii) The existing 6 Geopolitical Zones to be the federating bodies in the constitution, while the existing States and any new States that may be created will be federating units in the Zones.*
*(iii) A Parliamentary System of Government, instead of the present very expensive Presidential System of Government ( This will result in very drastic reduction in electioneering costs, Cost of Governance & Corruption)*
(*iv) A Single term of 5 years for all Elected Executive Positions, at the Local, State ,and National, which will be Rotational: National – 6 Zones, States and LGAs -3 Zones. ( This is deemed necessary for Stability and Inclusiveness, without compromising meritocracy for 30 years.)*
*(v) A Zonal Development Commission that will be an important enabler for the rapid development of each Geopolitical Zone will be created by the Zones, not the Federal Government, and recruitment of management and staff, could be from any part of the world but must be based strictly on agreed performance indicators.*
*(vi) An electronic electoral system that will eliminate further physical collation of votes after votes are counted and announced at the polling booths, and, the implementation of the Justice Uwais Committee Report.(Making Votes really Count)*
*(vii) Freedom of Religion and Non involvement of the State in religious matters.*
*(viii) Local, Zonal, and Federal Policing.*
*(ix) At least, 1/3 of the seats in the Local Council Assembly, State Assembly,National Assembly, and Elected Executive positions in Nigeria MUST be reserved for Women.*
*(x) Just, Equitable, and Fair Resource Allocation.*
It is important to note that, A Constitution with bad Operators is a problem, but a fit for purpose Constitution will minimize the harm caused by bad Operators. For example, a fit for purpose Constitution could give Nigeria inflated contracts and kickbacks at 10%, as against the horrendous percentages of 100% and above that Nigerians have been witnessing since the 1966 Military Coup.
My next and final write up on the upcoming National Political Summit discourse will focus on how Nigerians could realize a fit for purpose Constitution for Nigeria between 2027 and 2031.
*Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju.*
Chairman, Board of Trustees,
South East-South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) & a Member of the Patriots.
14th May, 2025.
