The Chief Emeka Anyaoku-led group, known as The Patriots, has taken a significant step towards the actualization of a new People’s Constitution for Nigeria by inaugurating Zonal Advocacy Committees across the country’s six geopolitical zones. This move marks a key milestone in their ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s political landscape.
The Patriots, an assembly of eminent Nigerians dedicated to constitutional reform, announced the establishment of these committees in a statement co-signed by Prof. Anthony Kila, the National Chairman of the Patriots’ Strategy and Advocacy Committee on constitutional reform, and Dr. Bilikisu Magoro, the National Secretary of the committee. The statement, also signed by Salvation Alibor, the Under Secretary of the Strategy and Advocacy Committee, emphasized that the responsibility for political reform advocacy has been strategically decentralized to Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Each zone will have members from various states and diverse groups representing the interests of the broader Nigerian populace.
According to the statement, the newly inaugurated Zonal Advocacy Committees have been tasked with engaging and mobilizing stakeholders from across the country’s six geopolitical zones. Their mission is to reach out to diverse communities and interest groups, creating a platform for national dialogue and consensus-building on the need for a new constitution that reflects the will of the Nigerian people.
In August, during the inauguration of the People’s Constitution Strategy & Advocacy Committee of The Patriots, the group’s chairman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who is a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, underscored the importance of the new initiative. He explained that the Advocacy Team, co-chaired by Senator Shehu Sani, would work to secure the support and involvement of Nigeria’s various sectors and citizens to actualize a new, democratic People’s Constitution. Anyaoku stressed that the advocacy effort would involve intense consultations with different groups across the country to ensure broad-based support for constitutional reforms.
It is also noteworthy that The Patriots recently held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu to present their case for a legitimate federal constitution, which they believe is necessary for Nigeria to work effectively for all its citizens. This meeting was part of the group’s larger advocacy campaign to garner political backing for the proposed constitutional changes.
The statement further revealed the names of the members who will serve on the newly inaugurated zonal committees. These committees consist of notable figures across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:
North Central Zone: Barr Abubakar Ibrahim Azara, Dr. Olubunmi Usim-Wilson, Dr. Helen Adebakin, Hajiya Amina Saleh Jambo, Dr. Mike Omeri, Amb. Muhammad Abdullahi Mabdul, Chief Segun Olawoyin, Prof. Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jr., and Gen. Jon Temlong.
North East Zone: Dr. Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Umar Bindir, Mallam Samaila Karagama, Sen. George Anthony Manzo, Alh. Yakubu Musa Damagun, Alhaji Salihu Lukman Abubakar, and Engr. Sa’ad Abdullahi.
North West Zone: Dr. Ben Dikki, Hon. Mark Jacobs, Hon. Charity Stephen Shekari, Hon. Baffa Saleh Hadejia, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, Mallam Hamisu Santuraki, and Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobbai.
South-South Zone: Barr. Affiong L. Affiong, Prof. Prosper Ayawei, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, Chief Paul Omoijiade, Madam Anniko Briggs, Chief Fafaa Dan-Princewill, Barr. Ejiro Ofoye, and Mr. Denzil Kentebe.
South East Zone: Mr. Madu Bright O. Alwell, Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi, Chief (Mrs.) Ify Ezenwa, Barr. Joe Atuyi, Mr. Malizu Chwudum Paul, Engr. Chike Igbokwe, Dr. Sam Amadi, Barr. Joe Nwokedi, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, Barr. Monday Ubani, and Chief Loretta Aniagolu.
South West Zone: Prof. Remi Sonaiya, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, Dr. Sina Fagbenro-Byron, Dr. Yinka Olarinmoye, Hon. Jellili Amusan, Hon. Oke-Are Aina, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Mr. Habib Aruna, and Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo.
These zonal committees have also been granted the authority to co-opt additional members who may be instrumental in achieving their mandate. This flexibility allows the committees to expand and incorporate diverse talents and perspectives, ensuring that their work reflects the full spectrum of Nigerian society.
The Kila-Sani-led Strategy and Advocacy Committee is expected to submit its final report in March 2025, outlining a detailed roadmap for the constitutional reform process. The Patriots remain committed to their goal of securing a new constitution that will provide a legitimate federal framework for Nigeria, addressing longstanding issues of governance and national cohesion.
The Chief Emeka Anyaoku-led group, known as The Patriots, has taken a significant step towards the actualization of a new People’s Constitution for Nigeria by inaugurating Zonal Advocacy Committees across the country’s six geopolitical zones. This move marks a key milestone in their ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s political landscape.
The Patriots, an assembly of eminent Nigerians dedicated to constitutional reform, announced the establishment of these committees in a statement co-signed by Prof. Anthony Kila, the National Chairman of the Patriots’ Strategy and Advocacy Committee on constitutional reform, and Dr. Bilikisu Magoro, the National Secretary of the committee. The statement, also signed by Salvation Alibor, the Under Secretary of the Strategy and Advocacy Committee, emphasized that the responsibility for political reform advocacy has been strategically decentralized to Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Each zone will have members from various states and diverse groups representing the interests of the broader Nigerian populace.
According to the statement, the newly inaugurated Zonal Advocacy Committees have been tasked with engaging and mobilizing stakeholders from across the country’s six geopolitical zones. Their mission is to reach out to diverse communities and interest groups, creating a platform for national dialogue and consensus-building on the need for a new constitution that reflects the will of the Nigerian people.
In August, during the inauguration of the People’s Constitution Strategy & Advocacy Committee of The Patriots, the group’s chairman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who is a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, underscored the importance of the new initiative. He explained that the Advocacy Team, co-chaired by Senator Shehu Sani, would work to secure the support and involvement of Nigeria’s various sectors and citizens to actualize a new, democratic People’s Constitution. Anyaoku stressed that the advocacy effort would involve intense consultations with different groups across the country to ensure broad-based support for constitutional reforms.
It is also noteworthy that The Patriots recently held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu to present their case for a legitimate federal constitution, which they believe is necessary for Nigeria to work effectively for all its citizens. This meeting was part of the group’s larger advocacy campaign to garner political backing for the proposed constitutional changes.
The statement further revealed the names of the members who will serve on the newly inaugurated zonal committees. These committees consist of notable figures across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:
North Central Zone: Barr Abubakar Ibrahim Azara, Dr. Olubunmi Usim-Wilson, Dr. Helen Adebakin, Hajiya Amina Saleh Jambo, Dr. Mike Omeri, Amb. Muhammad Abdullahi Mabdul, Chief Segun Olawoyin, Prof. Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jr., and Gen. Jon Temlong.
North East Zone: Dr. Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Umar Bindir, Mallam Samaila Karagama, Sen. George Anthony Manzo, Alh. Yakubu Musa Damagun, Alhaji Salihu Lukman Abubakar, and Engr. Sa’ad Abdullahi.
North West Zone: Dr. Ben Dikki, Hon. Mark Jacobs, Hon. Charity Stephen Shekari, Hon. Baffa Saleh Hadejia, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, Mallam Hamisu Santuraki, and Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobbai.
South-South Zone: Barr. Affiong L. Affiong, Prof. Prosper Ayawei, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, Chief Paul Omoijiade, Madam Anniko Briggs, Chief Fafaa Dan-Princewill, Barr. Ejiro Ofoye, and Mr. Denzil Kentebe.
South East Zone: Mr. Madu Bright O. Alwell, Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi, Chief (Mrs.) Ify Ezenwa, Barr. Joe Atuyi, Mr. Malizu Chwudum Paul, Engr. Chike Igbokwe, Dr. Sam Amadi, Barr. Joe Nwokedi, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, Barr. Monday Ubani, and Chief Loretta Aniagolu.
South West Zone: Prof. Remi Sonaiya, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, Dr. Sina Fagbenro-Byron, Dr. Yinka Olarinmoye, Hon. Jellili Amusan, Hon. Oke-Are Aina, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Mr. Habib Aruna, and Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo.
These zonal committees have also been granted the authority to co-opt additional members who may be instrumental in achieving their mandate. This flexibility allows the committees to expand and incorporate diverse talents and perspectives, ensuring that their work reflects the full spectrum of Nigerian society.
The Kila-Sani-led Strategy and Advocacy Committee is expected to submit its final report in March 2025, outlining a detailed roadmap for the constitutional reform process. The Patriots remain committed to their goal of securing a new constitution that will provide a legitimate federal framework for Nigeria, addressing longstanding issues of governance and national cohesion.
