STATE OF THE NATION: Anyaoku, eminent patriots, national leaders of thought meet President Tinubu at Presidential Villa
*Want government to initiate urgent dialogue with leaders of nationwide protests, to refrain from using lethal weapons on protesters *Affirm that national dialogue on constitutional restructuring of Nigeria will resolve separatist agitations, insecurity and national protests *Charges Tinubu to prioritise political reforms for a democratic People's Constitution to achieve economic prosperity
National Leaders of Thought under the umbrella of The Patriots, an Eminent Leaders Group led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, on Friday visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja to weigh in on the worrisome state of Nigeria foisted by unbearable instability and insecurity in the country arising from political mistrust, national incohesion as well as the unimaginable economic challenges currently faced by the country.
While briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting with the President, which was attended by the Vice President, Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief of Staff to the President, National Security Adviser and Minister for Information in attendance, the leader of the delegation, Chief Anyaoku, the Chairman of the Patriots, stated that the interaction with the President was essentially focused on the need to encourage government to find urgent panacea to heightening instability and insecurity in the country through a profound process of National Healing and Reconciliation.
The Patriots said Nigerian Stakeholders, who participated in the Patriots organised National Colloquium held in March, 2024 are massively desirous of a democratic people’s constitution for the country and therefore want government to immediately initiate and drive the process of a fundamental political reform for the country through a major national constitutional dialogue to be consummated by an elected National Constituent Assembly in fostering national consensus and harmony for Nigeria.
The Delegation stated further that the Patriots are of the considered view that the pervasive insecurity in Nigeria and its twin national instability have been impeding the economic productivity and prosperity of Nigeria and therefore require urgent intervention to return the country to the path of progress and stability, as the growing incidents of Terrorism, Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Separatist Agitations and Kidnappings are all symptoms of a long-standing political distrust and national incohesion of a country divided against itself, where no economic policies or reforms can yield any positive results.
The Leaders, to this end, said they strongly advised President Tinubu to immediately prioritise national dialogue to allow Nigerians give unto themselves a new democratic people’s constitution constitution that will take into take onboard the recommendations of all previous Constitutional conferences of Nigeria in bringing all Nigerians back on the same page of patriotism towards unleashing common desire of Nigerians to defend the peace and stability of Nigeria, while encouraging farmers to go back to their farmlands without fears of being attacked by terrorists, bandits or kidnappers for increased agricultural productivity of the country.
Lastly, to douse the current tension in the the country, necessitated by the ongoing nationwide Hunger protests, the delegation urged the President to urgently direct government nationwide to immediately take the initiative of organising dialogue with leaders of the Protests on their demands. Similarly the leadership of the Patriots requested President Tinubu to caution security agents from using lethal weapons in the management of the civil protests in order to minimise casualties and also to prevent the escalation of the citizens – government conflicts over the protest.
Meanwhile, Members of the Patriots Delegation to the Presidential Engagement are as follows:
- Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, CFR (Leader of Delegation)
South East
- Senator Ben Obi
- Chief Simon Okeke
North Central
- Madam Pauline Tallen
- Dr Pogu Bitrus
- HE Labaran Maku
- Barr Abubakar Azara
North West
- Senator Shehu Sanni
- Alhaji Shettima Yerima
- Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai
South South
- Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN
- Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN
- Lady Ann Kio Briggs
North East
- HE Boni Haruna
- Dr Abdujalilil Tafawa Balewa
South West
- Chief Olusegun Osoba
- Prof Anthony Kila
- Veteran Olawale Okunniyi – (Secretary to the Delegation)
Signed
Veteran Olawale Okunniyi
(08033993867)
General Secretary, The Patriots and,
Secretary to the Delegation,
Saturday, 10th August, 2024
Abuja
