A total of 529 delegates and 42 speakers are registered to attend the forthcoming national summit of The Patriots and the Nigerian Political Summit Group, aimed at coming up with a new, democratic people’s Constitution, beginning on Tuesday.

Secretary, Coordinating Committee, National Summit on the Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy, Obonganwan Barbara, confirmed this to The PUNCH on Sunday.

The summit, themed “Actualising a Constitutional Democracy That Works for All in Nigeria,” scheduled to be held in Abuja between Tuesday and Thursday, will have no fewer than 42 speakers present their thoughts on the new constitution quest.

Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan are billed to present their reflections on achieving a new constitution, with Chief Olu Falae and Aisha Babangida as special guests.

A document sighted by The PUNCH affirms that keynote speakers are the leader of The Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; and Pro-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof Akin Oyebode.

Billed to make presentations on the “Political Reforms” subtheme of the summit are Prof Mike Ozekhome; Solomon Asemota (SAN); Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Senator Femi Okurounmu; Senator Shehu Sani; Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed; and Dr Otive Igbuzor.

To make presentations on “Electoral Reforms” are Prof Jibrin Ibrahim, Dr Usman Bugaje, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, and Ene Obi.

The Head, Summit Joint Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi, in a statement on Sunday, said the summit would produce a draft legislative bill for a new constitution to be submitted to both the Presidency and the National Assembly.

Okunniyi said, “The summit aims to consolidate ongoing efforts to create a viable, inclusive, and future-ready constitutional framework—moving the country away from the widely criticised and overly centralised 1999 Constitution.

“At the heart of the summit is the endorsement and presentation of a Draft Legislative Bill for a New Constitution of Nigeria—a product of nationwide consultations, intellectual rigour, and inclusive political dialogue—set to be submitted to both the Presidency and the National Assembly.

“This summit is not just another political jamboree—it is a deliberate and inclusive national call to action. Its principal objective is to forge a new constitution that empowers Nigerians, strengthens institutions, promotes electoral justice, protects minority rights, and enables broad-based development at all levels.

“It promises to be a cross-sectoral, cross-generational, and cross-regional dialogue, drawing from the collective wisdom and aspirations of Nigerians from all walks of life.”

The Patriots have consistently traced the root of the nation’s challenges to the 1999 Constitution, which it described as unitary and undermines federalism.

Okunniyi added, “The 1999 Constitution, enacted in the twilight of military rule without extensive public consultation, has long been faulted for entrenching a unitary system that stifles federalism, undermines local governance, and fails to reflect Nigeria’s multi-ethnic, pluralistic realities.

“From systemic insecurity, mass youth unemployment, and poor public service delivery to weak institutions, inequitable resource control, and economic centralisation, many of Nigeria’s persistent challenges are rooted in constitutional dysfunction.

“As global dynamics shift—technologically, economically, environmentally, and geopolitically—Nigeria remains constrained by a rigid and outdated governance system that cannot deliver on the promise of a modern, just, and inclusive society.”

The roll call of discussants at the summit also includes Prof Chidi Odinkalu, Sola Ebiseni, Auwal Rafsanjani, Dr Sunday Akuns, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Dr Tafawa Balewa, Prof Bello Bada, Prof Yahaya Tanko, and Dr Sam Amadi.

Leaders of sociopolitical and ethnic groups pencilled for attendance are Gen Ike Nwachukwu (retd); Chief Rueben Fasoranti (Afenifere); Mamman Osuman (Arewa Consultative Forum); Godknows Igali (Pan Niger Delta Forum) and Dr Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum).

The list of goodwill speakers is also made up of Gen T.Y. Danjuma; former Governor Obong Attah; Joe Ajaero (Nigeria Labour Congress); Prof Bolaji Akinyemi; and Mr Bimbo Ashiru.