National Constitutional Confab Unveils Recommendations As Diaspora Voting, State Police, Resource Control Dominate National Summit Resolutions
This post has already been read at least 1182 times!
The National Summit on the Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy concluded on Thursday with a sweeping communique that called for the urgent enactment of a new, people-driven constitution anchored on genuine federalism, robust democratic participation, and a restructured governance framework capable of addressing Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges.
The two-day National Constitutional Confab, held between July 16 and 17, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton and NICON Luxury Hotels in Abuja, was convened by The Patriots, Nigeria’s foremost group of elder statesmen and civic leaders, in collaboration with the Nigerian Political Summit Group (NPSG). The event was chaired by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON.
In a detailed communiqué presented at the end of the summit, delegates drawn from civil society, academia, ethnic nationalities, religious institutions, the private sector, professional groups, and the diaspora population called for an overhaul of the 1999 Constitution, which they described as “deeply flawed, unrepresentative, and imposed by military fiat.”
“The 1999 Constitution did not derive its legitimacy from the participation and consent of the Nigerian people,” Chief Anyaoku declared. “It has institutionalised dysfunction, fostered unitary governance in place of federalism, and failed to meet the aspirations of a diverse, multi-ethnic nation.”
Among the resolutions adopted at the Summit was a resounding call for the establishment of a Constituent Assembly, to be elected on a non-partisan basis and empowered to draft a new Constitution. This new charter, delegates agreed, must be subjected to a national referendum before receiving presidential assent.
The summit also pushed for a return to true federalism, calling for the devolution of power from the over-centralised federal government to federating units, and recommending that the current six geopolitical zones be restructured to reflect Nigeria’s diversity more authentically.
“Nigeria must restructure to survive,” said a prominent delegate. “We need a system that empowers our people at the grassroots, where justice is delivered efficiently, security is localised, and governance is tailored to regional realities.”
Key among the resolutions was the legal recognition and facilitation of diaspora voting, a long-standing demand of the over 15 million Nigerians living abroad.
Delegates agreed that a constitutional framework should be put in place to guarantee Nigerians in the diaspora the right to vote and be part of the democratic process, particularly in light of their significant economic contributions through remittances.
“The diaspora community is a critical part of Nigeria’s national fabric and deserves inclusion in the electoral process,” the communiqué read.
Other pivotal reforms proposed include the creation of state police, the re-introduction of resource control and fiscal federalism, the separation of the offices of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and the adoption of electronic transmission of election results, including mandatory use of BVAS technology.
The summit also endorsed gender inclusion, protection of minority rights, and urgent educational and infrastructural investments to address poverty, out-of-school children, and regional underdevelopment. Furthermore, delegates called for the creation of sub-national constitutions, as was the case during the First Republic, to strengthen regional autonomy.
Security, a dominant theme throughout the summit, was addressed with a recommendation for a community-based border and coastal policing model. Delegates noted that over 10 million Nigerians have been displaced by insecurity, while illegal arms circulation continues to pose a significant threat.
“The national security architecture must reflect federal principles,” one of the summit’s security experts urged. “Local policing, equitable leadership in security agencies, and stronger border control are non-negotiable.”
The summit also proposed cutting the cost of governance, limiting the number of ministers and political appointees, and reducing the size of the federal legislature to a more sustainable structure. It further advocated for legal penalties for party defection (cross-carpeting), with seats to be vacated when elected officials abandon the platforms under which they were elected.
In closing, Chief Anyaoku expressed optimism that with collective resolve and national mobilisation, the resolutions of the summit would set Nigeria on the path toward a more just, peaceful, and inclusive society.
“We, the patriots and delegates of this summit, believe that the dawn of a new Nigeria is near,” he said. “With sustained advocacy and action, we shall soon live in a nation where no child is left behind and no citizen is oppressed.”
The communiqué, widely endorsed by stakeholders across sectors, marks what many have described as a critical inflection point in Nigeria’s democratic journey. The organisers have vowed to escalate their demands to the Presidency and the National Assembly in the coming weeks.
This post has already been read at least 1182 times!
