The Patriots, a group of eminent Nigerians seeking to address critical issues facing Nigeria, has unveiled Gbenga Daniel former Ogun State governor and Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto State as co-chairs of their forthcoming national political summit.
The committee also includes several notable Nigerians, while the summit is slated for May 28 and 29 in Lagos.
This is as the group called for a true federal constitution for the country, saying only such would be able to tackle the myriads of problems confronting Nigeria.
Emeka Anyaoku, chairman of The Patriots and former Commonwealth Secretary General, while speaking at the occasion in Lagos on Thursday, said the patriots are driven by commitment to a united Nigeria under an appropriate constitutional democracy, to solve the socio-economy problem facing the country currently.
Anyaoku said it would be difficult for the country to achieve good governance with a people-driven constitution.
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“We strongly desire the transformation of Nigeria from the diverse country which it is at present and which some have described as no more than a geographic expression to a united Nigerian nation where all its citizens will be imbued with a strong sense of patriotism.
“The indisputable fact is that Nigeria is a pluralistic country whose component parts are ethnic groups that have lived in their separate geographic area for centuries with their different cultures and languages.
Speaking, the co-chair of the the proposed Summit and former governor of Ogun State, Daniel, listed the areas of priority of the committee.
He said such areas as electoral reforms, judicial independence, devolution of power, civic education, political literacy among the youths and women, and constitutional review among others would take preeminence.
Also speaking, former Governor Tambuwal, also a co-chair, said they are committed to the course, noting that the committee would deliver on its mandate.
“I’m happy to be here, Mr Chairman, rest assured that we have accepted this responsibility in national interest, in the interest of our country, and as outlined in the terms of reference and also in what my dear brother Governor Gbenga Daniel read out, we are going to commit ourselves to this assignment and ensure that we make the success of it by the grace of God.”
Other members of The Patriots who are also in the committee and spoke at the event included former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, Labaran Maku, Awolowo Dosunmu and Pauline Tallen, among others.
Meanwhile, among the members of the committee unveiled by The Patriots chairman, Anyaoku, are Daniel, Tambuwal, Boni Haruna, Donald Duke, Fayemi, Maku, Awolowo Dosumu, Ben Obi, Shehu Sanni, Dassy Danjuma, and Aisha Ismail.
Others are Prof Pat Utomi; Iyom Josephine Anenih; Madam Shekari Charity; Hajia Dr Aisha Ismail; Sen Christie Anyanwu; Ms Ankio Briggs and Dr Olu Usim Wilson.
The rest are Anthony Kila; Veteran Olawale Okunniyi; Shettimah Yerima; Olatorera; Folarin Rotimi Williams, and Obongawan Barbara Etim James.
A statement by the Joint Secretariat of the The Patriots and Nigerian Political Summit Group (NPSG), initiators of the national summit, noted that the historic pan Nigerian confab is being put together to xray and chart a new course for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, 25 years after civil rule was reinstituted in Nigeria, especially as a stakeholders’ response and intervention to the heightening insecurity and instability in parts of the country.
