Segun Atanda/
Prominent leaders, academics, and civil society voices from Nigeria’s North West zone converged at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna on Tuesday, July 8, for a crucial pre-summit town hall ahead of the National Political Summit on a New Constitution scheduled to hold in Abuja from July 15 to 16.
The meeting, convened by the Patriots Zonal Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee, is part of a nationwide consultation drive led by the Patriots group, chaired by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. The initiative aims to galvanize consensus on the creation of a people-driven constitution for Nigeria.
Chairing the Kaduna gathering was Professor Ibrahim Garba, with coordination by Honourable Charity Shekari. Keynote speaker, Professor Anthony Kila, who heads the national Patriots Zonal Advocacy and Mobilisation Committee, urged inclusive participation and stressed that the quest for a new constitution must transcend partisanship and parochial interests.
“This is not a partisan issue. We are here to shape the kind of Nigeria we want, one that guarantees rights, security, and justice for all,” Kila declared, urging citizens to “ask for what you are willing to give others.”
In his opening address, Professor Garba called on the North West to take a leading role in shaping the country’s constitutional future, given the zone’s size, diversity, and political significance. He tasked stakeholders to continue grassroots sensitization and consultative efforts ahead of the summit.
Echoing similar sentiments, former Kaduna State Attorney General, Honourable Mark Jacob, criticized the current 1999 Constitution as unrepresentative and unworkable.
“What the National Assembly is doing amounts to patchwork. We need a brand-new constitution that reflects the genuine will of the Nigerian people,” Jacob argued, citing the cumbersome amendment process as a key flaw.
Professor Murtala Abubakar described the summit as “a significant opportunity” for the North West to assert its vision, while Hon. Shekari emphasized the need for a constitution that guarantees safety and freedom of movement—especially for women and children. “We must ensure our mothers and daughters feel safe and secure in every part of Nigeria,” she added.
Other key participants included Professor Richard Ayya, Alhaji Hamisu Sharifai, Dr. Nurudeen Lawal, Mallam Yusha’u Mani, Shehu Isah, Comrade Enoch Bala, Naomi Amwento, Malama Sule Aliyu, Malama Fa’iza, Mr. Emmanuel Alamu, and Samuel Wuya. They presented reports on ongoing mobilization efforts in their respective states and communities.
With strong support pledged for the upcoming Abuja summit, the North West stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue, grassroots engagement, and national unity in the push for a constitution “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
The National Summit is being organized by a high-level committee co-chaired by Senator Gbenga Daniel and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
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