A long memo to the national dialogue conference
By Muhammad Ajah
Coming from the most neglected, dejected, suppressed, denied, relegated,
mocked, downtrodden and unwanted minorities of the Nigerian nation, I
should have been convinced by a reluctant conscience that this effort of
writing a memo to a Nigerian National Dialogue Conference (NNDC) would be
a trash. Maybe, as irrelevant as I and my people have been
unpatriotically, surreptitiously or overtly regarded by other components
of Nigeria, this will end up being a garbage, however heavy, in the
assembly of people who do not recognize minorities and do not care or fear
about the patience of the oppressed.
Well, it is said that a single written idea is better that many unwritten
books. Again, it is better to explode with a conviction than to die with
a simplest idea that can effect a change however long. Most sincere
Nigerians, like most great revivalists and revolutionists, struggle for a
change that will live after them i.e. come into effect long after they
have gone.
This is because for a full hundred years of the creation of Nigeria, 53 of
which Nigeria has remained a so-called independent nation, many solutions
have been proffered by many Nigerian individuals and groups on how to
place the nation among the comity of united, stabilized and developed
nations. It is hard to believe that the more prescription is given, the
sicker the nation becomes. Heads of state, presidents, philosophers,
technicians, socio-cultural, socio-political and religious establishments
have analyzed, talked, discussed, dialogued and deliberated on the
Nigeria's question in many fora. What do Nigerians expect from this?
Never a pessimist! Why should I be, especially coming for the unheard,
unnoticed and nay unwanted minority in Nigeria. It is unarguable that any
Nigerian president since 1914 and from 1960 has ever thought that there is
any minority from the Igbo extraction worthy of mention at Lugard's House
or Aso Rock, not to talk of recognition. General Yakubu Gowon, as then the
Head of State, liked a minority leader of Igbo extraction, Sheikh Ibrahim
Nwagui. That's just all I can remember. Igbo man a Muslim! He must be a
kparawu! Hausa man a Christian! He has chosen a true path! Yoruba man a
Muslim or Christian! Good omen!
I have never seen a people so neglected. I have never seen a people so
plotted against. I have never seen a people whose crosses are totally left
to them to carry by themselves in a nation where God created them like
other inhabitants. And I have not seen a people whose cries are hardly
heard by even their brethren in faith and fraternity.
This memo to those who have been chosen, by merit or demerit, to gather
and dialogue on behalf of ALL NIGERIANS is intricate. They are going to be
our National Assembly for the number of days that would be. They are going
to collect taxpayers' money. So, this is a difficult task because it is
believed that a lot of Nigerians are too self-centered. If not, a nation
with 109 distinguished senators and 360 honourable members of House of
Representatives at the National Assembly would have changed this country
to good. Unfortunately, there are those who collect fat amounts but do not
contribute anything to the nation up-making, year in year out.
The membership of the conference is more in number than the membership of
the National Assembly. With their assistances, drivers and aides, the
number may surpass the number of National Assembly staff. It may well be
that Abuja is going to face traffic and accommodation challenges during
the period of the conference. It is therefore hoped that the effect of the
Abacha one-million man march will be less. It is also hoped that the 2005
national conference will not be referred to better, despite the walkouts
by several interest groups.
Nonetheless, the leadership of the 492-member conference is made of known
Nigerians. The conference Chairman, Justice Idriss Legbo Kutigi, Deputy
Chairman Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Secretary Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie Azinge,
Assistant Secretary, Conference Proceedings Dr. Akilu Indabawa, Assistant
Secretary, Finance & Administration Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and Assistant
Secretary, Media and Communications Mr. James Akpandem are Nigerians who
the citizens know their contributions to the nation building in their
different capacities. The ship they are going to captain shortly is
NIGERIA and they have no option than to be extraordinarily careful not to
wreck it under whatever pressure, lobbying or force. Rather, it would be
honourable to resign midway if integrity is to be compromised and a
pullout becomes inevitable.
Yes, never a pessimist! Let me explore what have been going inside the
minds of Nigerians earlier before this national conference. The question
is: What is the cure for Nigeria? Is it faith and piety? Is it
selflessness? Is it patriotism or chauvinism? Is it real self reliance? Is
it human beings with feelings for other existences? Is it individuals who
can look beyond their own feet? Is it justice and fairness? Is it love for
death and hatred for life? Is it disamalgamation? What is it that can cure
Nigeria???
Nigerian leaders have proffered solutions to the nation's multi-faceted
problems. Let's look at the positions of Nigerians, with emphasis on the
common points. President Goodluck Jonathan, in a national broadcast on the
Centenary celebration said the creation of Nigeria and sustenance of its
unity are sacrosanct. “I have often expressed the conviction that our
amalgamation was not a mistake. While our union may have been inspired by
considerations external to our people; I have no doubt that we are
destined by God Almighty to live together as one big nation, united in
diversity. Unification was followed by independence and democracy which
have unleashed the enormous potentials of our people and laid the
foundation for our nation's greatness.”
“In challenging times, it is easy to become pessimistic and cynical. But
hope, when grounded in realism, enables and inspires progress. I believe
that it is vital that we focus our thoughts on the vast potentials of a
unified and progressive Nigeria; and build on the relative stability of
the Fourth Republic to achieve accelerated national socio-economic
development. I also believe that the future greatness of our country is
assured by the favourable tail winds of a resilient population, ecological
diversity, rich natural resources and a national consciousness that rises
above our differences. We are a unique country. We have been brought
together in a union like no other by providence. Our nation has evolved
from three regions to thirty six states and a Federal Capital Territory.”
“My call for the National Conference in this first year of our second
century is to provide the platform to confront our challenges. I am
confident that we shall rise from this conference with renewed courage and
confidence to march through the next century and beyond, to overcome all
obstacles on the path to the fulfillment of our globally acknowledged
potential for greatness. The coming National Conference should not be
about a few, privileged persons dictating the terms of debate but an
opportunity for all Nigerians to take part in a comprehensive dialogue to
further strengthen our union. I am hopeful that the conference will not
result in parochial bargaining between competing regions, ethnic,
religious and other interest groups but in an objective dialogue about the
way forward for our nation and how to ensure a more harmonious balance
among our three tiers of government.”
In his a message to the nation on December 25, 2012 President Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, as in many other fora observed that the lessons of
Jesus Christ's mission on earth have great significance for Nigerians as a
people and there can be no doubt that all Nigerians, irrespective of their
religious beliefs, can draw immense strength and inspiration from the
Christ's enduring personification of selflessness, dedication to duty, and
commitment to the well-being of others.
In another massage to the nation at the 2013 May Day celebration Wednesday
1st May, President Goodluck Jonathan said, diversifying the economy away
from the oil sector into agriculture, housing, manufacturing, creative
industries, and other sectors that generate jobs and grow the economy has
long being a national goal.
In his address at the Special Convention of the People's Democratic Party
(PDP) at Eagle Square, Abuja, Saturday, 31st August, 2013, he identified
among others job and wealth creation through the local content law,
massive investment in the oil and marine business, provision of power for
development, gender equality, security of lives and properties of the
citizenry, fight against corruption, poverty and destitution and upholding
the tenets of democracy for national unity, equity and justice as
ingredients for growth and stability.
“We must insist on justice and equity. We must insist on defending Nigeria
from those who threaten her in words and deeds. We are a nation in God's
hands and we must keep it so”, the President noted in the 69th point of
his speech.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a letter to President goodluck
Jonathan had this to say, “We must all remember that corruption, inequity
and injustice breed poverty, unemployment, conflict, violence and
wittingly or unwittingly create terrorist because the opulence of the
governor can only lead to the leanness of the governed. But God never
sleeps; He is watching, waiting and bidding His time to dispense justice.
In a democracy, leaders are elected to lighten the burden of the people,
give them freedom, choice and equity and ensure good governance. Nothing
should be done to undermine the tenets, and values of democratic
principles and practice.”
“The virtues and ideals of peace, tolerance, faithfulness, honesty,
justice, fairness, true wisdom, knowledge and understanding which Jesus
taught and exemplified also remain very relevant to us in Nigeria as we
continue to grapple with the challenges of development and
nation-building.”
One former Head of State, General Muhammad Buhari, GCFR at his party's CPC
National Convention in Abuja on May 11, 2013 lamented over an
unprecedented fall in the nation's standard of living and an astronomical
rise in the standard of dying, believing that Nigeria has become a nation
in which nothing works as it should or works at all.
“They promised to give the nation credible elections…They promised to
fight corruption…They promised to stop the insurgency…henceforth our votes
must all be counted…never again tolerate or allow to pass the mayhem the
government deliberately creates in order to cover up its guilt, obscure
the issues and then blame the opposition in order to deceive gullible
folks.”
In a communiqué titled 'Strengthening the Unity of Nigeria', issued after
a meeting of the leaders and elders of the South-South and South-West
regions held at the Efunyela Hall in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State home of Chief
Obafemi Awolowo,
the group observed that war against corruption without fear or favour must
be paramount. The meeting attended by highly placed Nigerians such as
Chief Edwin Clark, Senator Felix Ibru, the Obong of Calabar, His Royal
Majesty, Dandeson Douglas, a former Petroleum Minister and Amanyanabo of
Nembe, Dr Edmund Daukorie, Professor Saleba Mukoro, the Orodje of Okpe,
His Royal Majesty Major-General Felix Mujakperuo (rtd) a former Inspector
General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, Rear Admiral F.B.I Porbeni,
Brigadier-General S. E Oviawe, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, the Ooni of
Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade as well as many royal fathers from the South
West zone, Chief Olu Falae; Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya; Professor
Oladapo Afolabi; Professor (Mrs) Adenike Grange, Senator Femi Okurounmu,
Professor Tunde Adeniran; Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, Chief Gani Adams, Rear
Admiral Akin Aduwo, called on Nigerians to support the probe of the
activities of the fuel subsidy and sanitization of the entire oil and gas
industry that has always created overnight briefcase billionaires at the
expense of the masses and enjoined the president to commence steps at
reducing the cost and size of governance branches of government.
In a communiqué after an International conference on Biafra Greenbelt ,
Maryland on October 18, 2003, delegates resolved on the possibilities of
forming a government in exile in six months if the federal government
failed to organize a conference of ethnic nationalities, in order for
these nationalities to decide how they want to associate with one another.
They believed that the first post War International Conference on Biafra
was concluded with the agreement that the conditions that led to the
Biafra-Nigeria War are still present and worse; that the persecution of
Ndigbo in Nigeria continues to dictate the overall and specific policies
of the Federal government. The effect of this has been the gradual
destruction of the country itself, its economy, and its overall pride.
Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Arewa Consultative
Forum (ACF) in a communiqué signed by the President General of Ohaneze
Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue and the Chairman of ACF Executive
Council, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, agreed that dialogue with one another and
search for solutions to the major issues of concern to Nigeria was
paramount. The joint meeting held at the Universal Hotel, Enugu where
former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former President-General of Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, Chief Mbazuruike Amaechi, Pa Onyeso Nwachukwu, former Governor of
Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, Senator Joseph Waku, Senator Ladan Shini,
Major General Lawrence Onoja and Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, among others
attended.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in a communiqué jointly signed by its
leader, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, and Rev. Emmanuel Gbonigi of Yoruba Unity
Forum, said the socio-economic and political challenges such as
corruption, bad governance and insecurity were all traceable to bad
leadership.
“That we are all committed to the unity, progress and stability of
Nigeria, governed with a sense of justice, equity and fairness. That
Nigerians should de-emphasize issues that divide us such as ethnicity and
religion, while emphasizing issues that bind us together as a nation. We
should strive to live together in peace and harmony irrespective of tribe
and religion, there is no religion in the world that preaches violence.
Poverty is a major source of agitation and violence among the people and
as government, we should be able to provide basic amenities for our people
in order to reduce violence and crises in the country.”
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in a communiqué after an emergency Joint
meeting of its National Executive Council and the Board of Trustees in
Abuja and signed by the ACF's National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani
supported any political strategies that would put the North in a position
which will enable it negotiate with other sections of the country from a
position of strength and secure some favourable terms.
The Middle Belt Forum in a communiqué issued signed by the Chairman, Mr.
Gabriel Adenyuma, and Secretary, Mrs. Fatima Njoku at the end of a
sensitization workshop held by Stefanos Foundation under the auspices of
the Middle Belt Forum on minority interest rights in Jos called on all
minority groups in the North to rise up to the challenge of carving out a
distinct identity for themselves in the region. According to the
communique, the larger majority in the North are using religion to
marginalize the people of the zone.
“Conference notes with concern the use of religion as a divisive tool to
suppress Middle Belt ethnic minorities. Conference strongly suggests that
Nigeria remains a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state.”
In an address to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday, March 3,
2014 Governor, Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, said a country is
not simply judged by how long its democratic structures have been up but
by the very substance of those structures and what they represent in the
eyes of its people. As Nigerians prepare to talk about our nation and
where it should be heading to in a national conference whose agenda we
pray is not premeditated and whose outcome we hope is not already pre
determined.
Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda said, “What I have always said is that
any person who goes there to talk about partitioning Nigeria should be
stoned out of the conference because I believe in the unity of this
country. Our parents could not have shed blood to unite this country only
for our own generation to decimate the country or partition the land and
say we cannot live together. Nobody in Nigeria is greater than the
Almighty God, who carved out a country called Nigeria. It is also the
Almighty God who put the resources we are enjoying today and nobody should
use religion or tribe to break our country. The conference should rather
focus on issues that will unite us and not divide us.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the all Ijaw Youths Conference which
held in the town of Kaiama on 11th December 1998, the Ijaw youths
resolved among others cessation to recognize all undemocratic decrees that
rob Ijaw peoples/communities of the right to ownership and control of
lives and resources, solidarity with all peoples, organizations and ethnic
nationalities in Nigeria who are struggling for self-determination and
justice including the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Movement for the
Survival of Ogoni People (Mosop), Egi Women's Movement etc.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the 7th Council meeting of Ijaw
youths held at Kalabiama community in the Opobo clan of Ijawland on 20th
March, 1999 and Felix Tuodolo, Oronto Douglas and Kingsley Kuku, delegates
and council members agreed that the oppressed and deprived people of the
Niger Delta will reject all the oppressive policies that have been
fashioned against her these past 42 years and demand for justice.
“The future belongs to us all, whether as ancestors, elders or youths.
There is a great life after the pain of every struggle. Let us learn from
history of other struggles where internal conflict could stunt giant
strides towards freedom and justice.”
In an address presented by the Council of Ijaw Associations abroad to The
Pan Ijaw Conference held at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Center Port
Harcourt from Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, 2003 and signed by
Godfrey Ambakiderimoh Okoro, MBA and President, CIAA Executive Council,
the group believed that a candid and meaningful dialogue was imperative to
achieve the goal of unity and progress that have been elusive for long. “A
frank and forthright exchange of ideas is necessary if we are to be
effective advocates of our rights and responsibilities as a people, and be
relevant in the scheme of things in so far as Nigerian politics is
concerned. Our political and economic destiny is eternally in our hands.
Indeed, quite a number of our tangible and intangible personal actions and
choices effectively negate the basic principles known to foster unity,
peace and substantive progress within a community.
A consultative meeting of Ijaw elders and leaders of thought held in
Government house , Yenagoa on Sunday 30th November, 2013 and chaired by
Pa E. K. Clark and attended by over 200 Ijaw heavy weights, called on all
Nigerians to work with the Federal Government to build a Nigerian Nation
in peace and progress, while condemning the various voices of distraction.
Prof. Joe Ebiware, Moderator, All Ijaw Conference, Julius Enarusai,
President, INAA
Dr. Ruben Mietamuno Jaja, Chairman, Ijaw Foundation Board of Directors,
Justus Wariya, President, INC North America and Col. Godfrey Okoro (rtd),
Ijaw Nation Forum in a communiqué of the All-Ijaw Conference held at the
Sheraton Airport Hotel, Newark, New Jersey, USA from 28th to 30th May,
2010, under the aegis of the Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas (INAA)
during its annual “Boro Day” Summit and 13th “Service and Devotion” Award
ceremony, advocated for good governance, electoral reform, power and
energy self-sufficiency, and zero tolerance for corruption, upheld the
sanctity of the Nigerian Constitution and the inalienable constitutional
right of every Nigerian to contest election for any office including the
presidency.
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria Ayo Oritshejafor, in a
speech said the Christian Community was fast losing confidence in
government's ability to protect their rights to religious liberties and
life.
Elder statesman and Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark as a guest
lecturer at the 7th Distinguished Lecture Series of School of Media and
Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Victoria Island, Lagos, said “We
have been together for the past 100 years. It was in 1914 that Lord Lugard
amalgamated the Northern and the Southern protectorates. Don't ask me why
the amalgamation because I do not want to dwell on that. But firstly, it
is apt to note that there was a true federation particularly in 1961.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar, at a meeting with Islamic
organizations during the visit of the Secretary General of JNI, Khalid
Aliyu, to Sokoto State said “A more united and prosperous Nigeria is all
what well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians should aspire and tirelessly
work for.”
In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting by the South-South Caucus
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Asaba, Delta State, on 12th May
2013, the group reviewed the state of the nation and the topical issues
confronting Nigeria's maturing democracy and resolved specifically to
support the initiative, industry and commitment of the administration to
the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB); review of Nigeria's over 20-year old
Revenue Allocation Formula to achieve vertical and horizontal equity
amongst the tiers of government and better enable the Federating Units to
drive development across the country as was the case up to the 1963
Republican Constitution; drastic and further devolution of functions and
fiscal powers from the Centre to the Federating Units, towards the
direction of the 1963 Republican Constitution, to make States the
effective engines of growth and development, and decentralize, localize
and ease governance across the country. They urged the Executive at
Federal and State levels to work with both the National and State
Assemblies to strengthen the System of Local Government prescribed in the
1999 Constitution (as Amended),
“The legitimate exercise of 'Separation of Powers' must not become
tantamount to, or metamorphose into, 'Separation of Interests' with the
attendant negative repercussions. Caucus notes the anxious calls in some
quarters for a constitutional amendment for the Offices of the President
and State Governors to have a tenure of one single term of 6 (six) years
as a means of lessening the tension often generated by second-term bids,
but finds nothing wrong with the current tenure of a maximum of two terms
of 4 (four) years each, subject to performance and the will of the
electorate.”
In an address to the President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House Abuja
on 3rd September, 2012, the Ogoni leaders led by Chairman, Supreme Council
of Ogoni Traditional Rulers/Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional
Rulers, His Majesty King GNK Gininwa, OFR, Chairman, Senate Committee on
Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe and Chairman, Provisional
Council Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Professor
Ben Naanen observed that the devolution of power to local entities to
reflect true federalism upon which the Nigerian nationhood is anchored and
the protection of lives and property in every part of the nation and in
keeping the country united were paramount.
The Igbo National Council (INC) on Sunday 28th October 2012 at Owerri Imo
state met and took strong decisions. In an 8-point communiqué signed by
INC National President Chilos Godsent and National Secretary Dr. Ekele
Ikpegbu, the group canvassed for good governance, development of
infrastructures in Igboland and initiation of pro-people policies to
encourage investments in Igboland. INC decried total collapse of roads in
Igboland, poor performances of governments of Igbo states, formation of
anti-trade and anti-peoples policies.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a national conference on “the role of
Muslim scholars in fostering unity, peace and security in Nigeria” and the
annual pre-Ramadan meeting, organized by the Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI),
held on Sunday 30th June, 2013) and Monday 1st July, 2013 respectively and
signed by Chairman, LOC Professor S. W. Junaidu and Secretary General of
JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the meeting under the chairmanship of His
Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, CFR, mni.,
attended by a cross-section of distinguished Royal Highnesses, Emirs and
Chiefs, renowned Muslim Scholars from all parts of the country and the
Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) and a good representation of
Muslims from the South-East, resolved among others, that Muslim scholars
must harped on good governance; fight against endemic corruption in the
country by strictly upholding the rule of law against the perpetrators and
promoters of the national scourge, the three tiers of governments should
be alive to their responsibilities by facilitating conducive economic
atmosphere for youth employment and by providing social amenities and
infrastructural facilities as a guarantee people's welfare and comfort;
government should protect the rights of its people with a great sense of
equity and justice to all for the purpose of entrenching peaceful
coexistence and inter-religious harmony in the country according to
Nigerian Law.
Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua who governed the old Ondo state, then
comprising the Ondo and Ekiti states between 1991 and 1993 under the
defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in an interview finds a big problem
in governance in Nigeria. He declared that Nigeria's leaders get into
office unprepared. “If you don't create jobs you will not be sleeping with
your two eyes closed because you don't know what may happen the next
morning. We must solve unemployment by creating avenues whereby we can
learn and earn income. Ekiti government wanted to recruit 1600 teachers
and more than 20,000 people applied. So unemployment will be solved if we
use what God has given us justly, equitably. Leaders are not expected to
enrich themselves at the expense of the people they lead. But some people
take everything for granted. In our days some people were arrested because
they abused security votes.
Revealing another problem, Brigadier General John Atom Kpera a military
governor of the old East-Central State and later Anambra State between
1975 and 1978, Benue state from 1984 to 1985 said over-dependence on oil
has done Nigeria more harm than good. Nobody wants to work; all of us have
become lazy hangers-on. We have totally neglected other sectors of the
economy for oil so that when the oil dries up we all catch cold and this
is not good for our economy. We in the states are just sitting down idle
doing nothing to get internally generated revenue; federation account is
what matters.
Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, lawyer, activist and founder Nigerian Advance Party
(NAP), recently posited that there is no election in Nigeria because the
electoral system cannot contain people with integrity. Unless we have a
constitution acceptable to Nigerians instead of the military handed down
decree known as 1999 constitution before 2015, there will be no election
in this country.
In a communiqué issued by Igbo Muslim Youths under the aegis of South East
Muslim Youth Organization of Nigeria (SEMYON) and signed by its national
Chairman, Alhaji M. O. Ajah Jnr. and the national secretary Ustaz Muhammad
Chidiebere Mbonu, the SEMYON postulated that the Igbo Muslims have been
relegated to second class citizens of Nigeria without recognition, but
isolation and disconnection from the Nigerian nation. SEMYON said “The
Igbo Muslim community has suffered a lot of catastrophes, dislocations and
predicaments. The Federal, State and Local Governments of Nigeria through
the National Assembly and State Assemblies should put in place rules and
regulations that effectively recognize every minority group in Nigeria.
Nigerians need to recognize the Igbo Muslim community for development and
peaceful growth of the nation, which cannot be achieved through violence,
discrimination and isolation, but through common understanding and
peaceful co- existence.
“The Nigerian government should empower the Igbo Muslim youngsters because
youths are the key resources to the nation. Igbo elders use to say “A
child that is well trained is a good asset to the parents.” SEMYON also
noted that as minority group, Igbo Muslims should be given an
ambassadorial appointment, a ministerial appointment and an executive
position that would strengthen them and inculcate in them a sense of
belonging to the Nigerian nation.
After the Grand Yoruba Summit held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament
Building, Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, the Yoruba demanded for regional
autonomy within a united Nigerian federation, a new Nigeria consisting of
a central union and six regional governments, based on the current six
geo-political zones, operating federal and regional constitutions
respectively. The Summit Coordinator, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd.), in a
12-point resolution also sought for a just and equitable taxation system
that would make the federating units equal and coordinating at the federal
level in order to eliminate the current rentier syndrome.
They also wanted all elections organized and conducted by regional/zonal
electoral commissions in the regions, with the electoral commissions
composed of equal representatives of contesting political parties, and
also equal representation of each of the zones or regions in the
composition of all judicial, legislative and executive institutions of the
central government. Sensitive resolutions at the conference included:
preference of the parliamentary system of government; each region in the
envisaged Federal Union of Regions to have its own Regional Constitution;
right to self determination on and up to the right to secede; each region
to have and exercise control over its natural resources, subject only to
payment of 25% of net earnings there from to the government of the union;
abolition of Nigeria Police Force and in its place a new policing system,
reflecting the true character of a Federal Union i.e. Union Police,
State/Regional police, Community police; organization of the Armed forces
in the new Nigeria Federation on the basis of strong Regional Commands.
In a communiqué issued at a southern leaders' summit held at Tinapa
business and resort, Calabar, Cross Rivers state on 24th February, 2014
and signed by Chief Olu Falae, Chief Tony Anenih, Governor Liyel Imoke,
Governor Peter Obi, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Governor Martin Elechi,
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Rasaq
Oladosu, the leaders pushed for a united and indivisible Nigeria based on
the principle of justice, equity and rule of law, with ample respect and
understanding for cultural, religious and linguistic differences. We
support the re-establishment of a truly federal Nigeria with the following
key elements; devolution of power to federating units, and co-ordinate and
equal powers between the central government and the federating units.”
“In line with the principle of democratic governance, decisions at the
forthcoming National Conference should be by simple majority. We endorse
an increase in revenue allocation to the federating units in a way that
takes cognizance of the new responsibilities and residual powers of the
federating units. We recommend the design of roles for traditional rulers
by respective federating units. And the federal Government must re-visit
the issue of the loss of territory particularly as it relates to the loss
of the Bakassi Peninsula.”
The Kano State Coalition of Ulama (Islamic Scholars) and Civil Society
Organisations, in its memo to the Advisory Committee on National Dialogue
signed by the Coalition's Chairman Dr. Musa Muhammad Borodo, decried
subtle attempt to phase out religious instruction from the curriculum of
secondary schools, the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy, the attempts at
domesticating western amoral ways of life in our society through the
enactment of certain laws, and the lackadaisical handling of security
challenges most especially in the North East and parts of the North West
of Nigeria, the unfortunate reality of the inability of the Nigerian state
to do justice to the Muslims of Nigeria in many areas of our national life
generally.
A final stand on desirability or otherwise of Nigeria's continued
corporate existence; mode of separation, should any part desire so;
desired changes should the choice be on corporate existence; e.g. type of
political system; nature of separation of powers; nature of distribution
of powers; etc.; citizenship, indigeneship and nationality questions;
resource allocation; the role of religion in national life; and national
language(s).
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in a statement signed by
its director, Idayat Hassan after a stakeholders' meeting noted that the
nation needed a workable marshal plan for poverty alleviation and
de-radicalization strategy that reflects existing legal framework of
licensing on preaching.
Prince Tonye Princewill in his statement titled Nigeria At 100: Let's Take
This Country Where It Needs To Go noted, “Let's all in our little
constituencies, preach the word of peace, forgiveness and sincerity and
leave the rest for our creator. Politics should be helping us achieve
this, not used as a tool to achieve selfish personal ambitions at the
expense of the people. Be not deceived. No one party can solve these
problems just as can no one region. Let's break all divides of party,
tribe, religion and misplaced loyalty.”
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala would say in an address she delivered at TEDxEuston in
Londo, “We need to create jobs and include those at the bottom of the
ladder. We are struggling with so many problems; governance and issues on
corruption are also inclusive. Yes, we have problems. Corruption
undermines development in Nigeria and the continent at large. It deprives
us of resources with which we can fight poverty and create wealth for
people. It is also corruption for a business man to support a politician
in return for inordinate access to contracts or resources. All of these
undermine development and the very fabric of our society. Trivializing
corruption is going on mightily in some of our countries right now. You
trivialise corruption when there is evidence that an act or a policy is
legitimate and yet for your own purpose, either political or otherwise,
you label it as corruption. When people divert attention from the real
issues and focus on issues that are not relevant, that is a way of
trivializing corruption. You trivialize corruption when you use it as a
weapon to castigate other people; whereas the evidence is there.
In a statement signed for International Society for Civil Liberties & the
Rule of Law by Chairman of the Board, Emeka Umeagbalasi, and Head,
Publicity Desk, Comrade Justus Uche Ijeoma, averred that the best solution
to social disharmony in a consociation democracy and ethno-religiously
divided country like Nigeria is power rotation. “It is an established and
incontestable opinion that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder. All
forms of parochial and ethno-religious interests must be nailed in a
coffin and collectivist national interests made to hold sway. And the
chief among the collectivist national interests is the constitutionality
of rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones.
From all these submissions, some facts are laid bare to make Nigeria grow.
Significant amongst them are: Nigeria's unity is not negotiable;
restructuring of the federal system of government in a way that every
ethno-religious group, including the minorities, are represented and they
participate in governance; the restructuring of the security and defence
apparatuses, and more importantly an autochthonous constitution that would
be home-grown and all-inclusive to be voted through referendum. Nothing
can be more tasking at the conference than the preservation of Nigeria's
unity in diversity!
Muhammad Ajah is a writer, author, advocate of good governance and
humanity, Abuja ([email protected])