I'll consider request for new constitution - Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said he will review a request from a group, The Patriots, to establish a national constituent assembly with the mandate to draft a new constitution.

Tinubu said this when he received members of the group led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, at the State House in Abuja on Friday.

The President, however, said his primary focus now is how to reform the economy.

“I am currently preoccupied with economic reform. That is my first priority,” Tinubu said. “Once this is in place, as soon as possible, I will look at other options, including constitutional review as recommended by you and other options.

“I may have to some of you again to furnish me and discuss further details of your rich submissions.

“As you present this, just believe that it will be reviewed, and I commit myself to the belief that you want a stable and prosperous Nigeria.”

Speaking on behalf of The Patriots, Anyaoku appealed to the Tinubu to send an executive bill to the National Assembly, proposing two measures.

He said this should include convening a national constituent assembly with the mandate to produce a draft people’s democratic constitution.

Also, the constituent assembly should be of directly elected individuals, on a non-political basis, from the 36 states of the federation, possibly three individuals per state and one from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In his response to the requests, Tinubu expressed his respect for The Patriots and their role to national discourse.

The members of The Patriots who were present at the meeting include: former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; former Minister Information, Labaran Maku; former senator representing Kaduna central district, Shehu Sani, former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen and Human Rights Lawyer, Mike Ozekhome.