Abuja, Nigeria – As Nigeria inches closer to the highly anticipated political summit on constitutional reforms, fresh details have emerged outlining major proposals that could shape the future governance structure of the country.
The summit, spearheaded by elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, under the auspices of The Patriots, is now scheduled to be held on June 11 and 12 in Abuja, following a rescheduling from the earlier May 27–28 dates.
A draft proposal reveals that at least 34 critical reform items are slated for deliberation. These span sweeping changes across governance, security, revenue allocation, and the structure of the federation.
The summit aims to develop a workable constitutional framework tailored to Nigeria’s complex ethno-political realities.
Restructuring and Regionalism on the Table
The draft calls for a fundamental restructuring of the Nigerian federation, including provisions for regional constitutions, self-governance of federating units, and a new fiscal and revenue management model.
Notably, it proposes that Nigeria operate as a 10-state polity, with additional federal territories created to represent the country’s over 360 ethnic nationalities.
Also under consideration is a move to streamline governance costs, with criticisms aimed at the current structure of 109 senators, 360 members of the House of Representatives, 36 state governments, and 774 local government councils, which the proposal described as “self-serving and unsustainable.”
Creation of Technical Panel for Reforms
One of the most significant proposals is the establishment of a Technical Panel to Facilitate Constitutional Reforms in Nigeria (TPF-CRN). The panel, to be set up by the President, would:
- Facilitate the drafting of both regional and federal constitutions.
- Support ethnic nationalities in forming viable socio-political units.
- Guide voluntary aggregations into cooperative frameworks based on ethnic, linguistic, and geographical affinity.
- Provide secretarial and advisory support throughout the reform process.
The panel’s end goal would be to oversee a convention of regionally endorsed representatives, who would collectively draft a new Federal Constitution.
Referendum for Legitimacy
According to the proposal, the National Assembly will be mandated to transmit the draft constitution to state assemblies for passage by a simple majority. Once approved by a majority of state legislatures, the constitution would be subject to a nationwide referendum among eligible voters.
A simple majority of voters would be sufficient to ratify the new constitution, making it the supreme law of the land and replacing the current 1999 Constitution, which many Nigerians see as deeply flawed and imposed by the military.
A Push for Equity and Efficiency
Other items up for debate include:
- The remuneration and accountability of public officials.
- Judicial mechanisms to address corruption and betrayal of public trust.
- Security architecture and local policing.
- The electoral system and political party regulation.
- The rights and responsibilities of states and regions in managing resources.
The draft notes that while the 2014 National Conference under President Goodluck Jonathan covered similar ground, most of its resolutions were not implemented. Organizers of the 2025 summit are determined to see actionable outcomes that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
“If we are truly serious about solving the problem of the Nigerian question, we no longer need to view the fact of our 371 ethnic nationalities as an albatross… We must confront it frontally,” the document stated.
A Historic Opportunity
Tagged “Issues to be Presented by the Secretariat for Consideration and Ratification by the Summit,” the draft underscores the need for consensus, political courage, and mass participation.
Organizers say the summit is an opportunity to drive post-conference advocacy and pressure the National Assembly into taking real action.
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