Another View on The Southerner Newspaper
Saturday, August 9, 2025

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations and General Ike Nwachukwu, a former Minister of External Affairs, State Military Administrator and Army’s Adjunctant General are well respected elders that have contributed so much to the peace and unity of Nigeria.

At every gathering of elders, statesmen and leaders in Nigeria, you won’t find these two great giants missing.

So, when some elders, leaders and members of The Patriots and Nigerian Political Summit Group in collaboration with other eminent personalities, professional bodies, traditional institutions, civil society, labour, the media, socio-cultural groups etc. gathered in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja to deliberate and come up with an agreement on what to include and exclude in the new constitution that is being proposed, Chief Anyaoku and Gen. Nwachukwu were there to lead and guide the gathering.

Between Monday the 14th and Friday 18th, July, 2025, the popular Transcorp Hilton and Nicon Luxury hotels played host to dignitaries from all corners of Nigeria. They assembled to discuss and review the present 1999 constitution which was a decree handed over to the politicians for a more acceptable working document that would principally emerge from the people.

No doubt, several individuals and groups have criticized the constitution as deliberately unaccommodating and suffocating to some segments of the society.

The constitution has been criticized as not emanating from the peoples of Nigeria rather from a tiny group of influential Nigerians within the corridors of power.

Since 1999, when democracy returned to Nigeria, several groups have come forward with suggestions, recommendations while some have even called for a complete overhauling of the constitution for its popular acceptance. As it is, the document is unfavourable to a large majority of Nigerians.

Many have posited that part of the clog retarding the progress of Nigeria are some parts of the constitution. For instance, they argue that, the present over concentration of powers at the Centre is not helping the country to move forward. It is rather enriching few individuals and impoverishing a high percentage of the population.

They presented instances of countries heterogeneous in nature yet, practicing true federalism: the US, Canada, India and others. These countries are peopled with different ethnic nationalities and religions but have found ways to be fair and accommodating to all.

The 1999 constitution, they emphasized is not fair to our women. In the constitution, they complained, there is no mention of ‘she’ but ‘he’ all through. Were the women really considered while the constitution was written?

In the new constitution, the group of Patriots are promoting, they want State Police to be established. Most of the groups present supported the creation of State Police to enhance the present poor security in the country.

It is gratifying to note that that, leading this struggle are men who are already within their ‘departure lounge.’ Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd.), who happens to be the only founding member of the Patriots still alive.

That, these men at their old and weak age, could rise to their feet to mobilize Nigerians to take a critical look at the possible root of Nigeria’s problem is most commendable and a challenge to the younger patriots to contribute to a better Nigeria.

They believe that, gathering Nigerians to jaw-jaw is quite better than allowing the country to go up in flames.

From Monday, the 14th to Friday, 18th, my eyes were on these men. I saw enthusiasm, zeal, strength, patriotism, conviction, commitment and prayers for a united and prosperous Nigeria.

When Gen. Nwachukwu had a meeting with the zonal leaders on Monday, 14th, for a brief introduction, he remarked that, his constituency (the military) made a mistake as far as the 1999 constitution was concerned. Having realized that, it is expedient to correct the wrongs to allow peace and unity dwell in the country.

It was acceptance of that mistake and how to correct the anomalies that gave birth to The Patriots in the late 1999 and early 2000. Some of the founders he recalled were, late Chief Rotimi Williams, Chief Ben Nwabueze, both constitutional lawyers and SANs and, Pa Anthony Enahoro.

How Chief Anyaoku and Gen Nwachukwu at their old age walked, stood, climbed stairs unaided all for Nigeria during the program amazed me. They spoke, listened and jotted down contributions. There was never a time they dozed off. They paid absolute attention to proceedings. The energy Chief Anyaoku and Gen. Nwachukwu displayed during the 5 day event should be a big challenge to the younger ones.

They fully participated in the National Constitutional Democracy Summit. They were never in a hurry to close or depart from the hall each day of the program. They had time to listen to all that approached them for suggestions or discussions on way forward.

That Nigeria has these calibre of men, with enormous fire power to propel Nigeria to greater heights is a special gift.

That Nigeria has the semblance of these two old gentlemen with patriotism, selflessness and determination to get Nigeria back on track is enough to say there is hope for this country.

Ordinarily, these two are wealthy enough with healthy political and economic connections to ignore any political quagmire. They can afford to enjoy their old age quietly, work for the political and economic advancement of their families. But no, for them, it is, above all, Nigeria first.

These men still think Nigeria. They are more interested in rescuing the country from doldrum, chaos, anarchy asand doom.

Indeed, these are GREAT and RESPONSIBLE leaders and elders. Highly distinguished gentlemen. They are sacrificing their time, energy and intellect in moving Nigeria forward. These are great Patriots that have instilled patriotism and nationalism in the souls of many upcoming social and political thinkers and activists.

At the just concluded constitutional conference, organized by The Patriots, quite a lot of people were encouraged seeing these elderly persons on the right path to achieving fairness for all ethnic groups in the country. Chief Anyaoku and Gen Nwachukwu have again written their names boldly.

The just concluded summit has brought to the fore, a debate on the review of the 1999 constitution to allow for more inclusive portions that would guarantee a truly united country.

Nigeria as it is presently is not working. The country is only favourable to the few close to power. The majority of Nigerians are only, ‘suffering and smiling.’ And, it is not the best.

There are complaints from all parts of the country. The Igbo, South-South, Middle Belt, Yoruba, Women, majority and minority ethnic, religious groups and a host of others are not impressed with the present system in Nigeria and they are calling for restructuring.

A majority of the component units want Nigeria to be decentralized. They prefer a country with less concentration of powers at the Centre. They strongly believe that, devolution of powers will grant peace, stability and growth in the socio-economic and political affairs of Nigeria.

I cannot end without saying Big Congrats to these two Colossus, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu. They have, perhaps unknowingly, planted in many younger Nigerians the spirit of true patriotism.

They can be assured that, there are younger Nigerians who will take after them to keep working for peace, unity and progress of this Great country.

Their efforts won’t go in vain. What they have planted today will yield plenty favours to this Great Country. May God restore our lost glory!