By Sonny Onyegbula
The request/demand by The Patriots, a group of eminent Nigerians for a new a constitution through National Constituent Assembly and a referendum, during their audience with President Bola Tinubu, and his response have generated public debate.
At first glance, the statement by the presidency on the august visit appears to be a positive and accommodating response, acknowledging the Patriots’ concerns and expressing a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.
However, upon closer analysis, some concerns and a missing link have emerged requiring further scrutiny and interrogation.
While the response acknowledged the Patriots’ concerns, it fell short of making a concrete commitment. The President’s assurance that the requests will be “reviewed” appears vague, and this could lead to scepticisms about the President’s willingness to address the Patriots’ concerns.
Without a commitment and specific time-line or benchmark, the response could be seen as a delay tactic or a way to momentarily placate the Patriots, whose demands require an urgent call to action and decisive leadership.
Tinubu was a champion of a similar cause in the past, advocating for constitutional reform and social justice from military regimes. Therefore, it is surprising and disappointing that his administration’s position on such issues, lacks a clear plan or roadmap for implementation.
Critics warn that this position could undermine the trust and confidence of the Patriots and the wider public, and even lead to questioning his reform credentials.
To rebuild trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing the Patriots’ concerns, Tinubu should go beyond vague assurances and provide a concrete action plan. This includes setting clear time-lines, allocating necessary resources, and establishing a transparent and accountable process for implementing the reforms. Anything less may be seen as a missed opportunity.
While economic reform is undoubtedly crucial for national development, it should not come at the expense of constitutional/political reform, which is essential for solidifying the country’s democratic foundations and protecting the rights of citizens.
The Tinubu administration may be accused of sidestepping or diverting attention from politically sensitive constitutional issues and focusing on short-term economic gains. To avoid this perception and demonstrate his commitment to addressing the Patriots’ concerns, the president should reassure the Patriots and the broader public about his sincerity of purpose.
In the opinion of governance experts, constitutional/political reform is essential for creating the conducive environment for sustainable economic growth and development.
By prioritising economic reform over constitutional/political reform, the President may inadvertently be perpetuating the same systemic issues that have hindered Nigeria’s progress.
The vagueness of the statement may also raise questions about the president’s willingness to confront challenges or make difficult decisions necessary for Nigeria’s advancement.
Similarly, unity as the president hinted, is essential for national progress, and this can only be realised through a deliberate and effective constitutional/political reform.
Therefore, the president should balance his emphasises on unity and addressing the Patriots’ demands through an inclusive and participatory process to arrive at a pro-people governance system for Nigeria.
Furthermore, beyond platitudes, the Patriots and the wider public require concrete actions to address the country’s endemic political and social malaise.
The omission of specific time-lines for addressing the Patriots’ demands is a glaring oversight, and a missed opportunity with a big question mark on the President’s commitment to meaningful reforms.
Dr. Sonny Onyegbula is a US-based Legal Consultant
