…Elder statesmen warn Nigeria risks deeper crisis without new constitution
…Group faults high cost of politics, calls for issue-based campaigns ahead of polls
A group of elder statesmen and notable Nigerians operating under the aegis of The Patriots has raised fresh concerns over the worsening state of insecurity, poverty and governance in the country, warning that Nigeria urgently requires far-reaching structural reforms to prevent further national decline.
The group made its position known in a communiqué issued after a strategic meeting held at its secretariat in Lagos, where members reviewed the state of the nation and deliberated on the political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the Chairman of the group, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and Secretary-General, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi.
In the statement, the group expressed grave concern over the persistent wave of killings, kidnappings and attacks on communities by bandits and other armed groups operating across various parts of the country.
The Patriots noted that violent attacks had continued unabated in the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions, adding that insecurity was gradually spreading into parts of the South-West, thereby heightening fears over the country’s stability.
According to the communiqué, the security crisis has displaced thousands of citizens from their homes and farmlands, worsening humanitarian conditions and threatening food production nationwide.
The elder statesmen lamented that many farmers had abandoned agricultural activities due to fear of attacks, a development they said was contributing significantly to rising food prices and deepening hunger across the country.
The group consequently urged the federal government to treat insecurity as a national emergency with direct implications for governance, economic growth and public safety.
As part of its recommendations, The Patriots called for the establishment of a special advisory committee to complement government efforts in tackling the nation’s growing security challenges.
While acknowledging some of the recent economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the group insisted that poverty remained widespread and severe, especially among rural dwellers.
Citing figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the group stated that approximately 63 per cent of Nigerians currently live in multidimensional poverty.
The Patriots further renewed its longstanding demand for a new democratic constitution, arguing that the current 1999 Constitution remains a product of military imposition and no longer reflects the collective aspirations of Nigerians.
The group recalled that the call for constitutional restructuring was strongly reaffirmed during its National Summit held in Abuja in July 2024, which attracted participants from youth organisations, women groups and socio-cultural bodies across the six geopolitical zones.
According to the communiqué, many of Nigeria’s recurring political and governance challenges could only be resolved through a constitution democratically produced by the Nigerian people.
The Patriots also criticised the absence of clear ideology among political parties in the country, noting that the trend had encouraged frequent defections by elected public office holders.
The group said the situation had strengthened public perception that political parties merely serve as vehicles for acquiring power rather than institutions driven by programmes, principles and national development objectives.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the elder statesmen urged political parties and aspirants to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid personal attacks, divisive rhetoric and inflammatory political conduct capable of threatening national unity.
The group also lamented what it described as the gradual collapse of public institutions and declining leadership values in the country, urging Nigerians to support only candidates committed to restructuring the nation’s governance system.
The Patriots further warned that the conduct of the 2027 elections at the federal, state and local government levels would attract close scrutiny from the international community.
On electoral participation, the group criticised the rising cost of politics in Nigeria, arguing that exorbitant fees for nomination and expression of interest forms had effectively excluded ordinary citizens from participating in the democratic process.
According to the communiqué, many qualified Nigerians, including professionals, academics and teachers who could contribute meaningfully to governance, lacked the financial capacity to contest elections under the present political arrangement.
The group maintained that the federal government had not done enough to decisively address insecurity across the country, insisting that urgent and coordinated action was required to restore public confidence.
Defending its demand for a new constitution, The Patriots argued that a properly structured constitutional framework would clearly define the responsibilities and limits of public office holders while also helping to reduce corruption and misgovernance.
The group also renewed its support for independent candidacy, insisting that broader electoral reforms were necessary to make Nigeria’s democratic process more inclusive, participatory and credible.
