Agitators for the restructuring
of political and economic structures of the nation on Thursday re-echoed their
demand for return of Nigeria to regions and cancellation of the 1999 ‘military
constitution’.
They spoke at a colloquium
organized by a Think-Tank Group, Voice Of Reason (VOR) at the Nigeria Institute
of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos with the theme: Restructuring: A Panacea
For Justice and Peace of Nigeria: The Imperative for a People’s Constitution.
In attendance were former
president of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Niger Delta
activist, Anko Briggs, Col. Tony Nyiam (Rtd), Secretary-General of Lower Niger
Congress (LNC), Comrade Tony Nnadi and son of former Nigerian Prime Minister,
Dr. Abdul Tafawa Balewa.
In his paper at the event chaired
by co-founder, Eko Hospitals, Olorogun (Dr.) Sonny Kuku, Agbakoba said the real
issue was not restructuring but how to ensure that all the sub-nationals in
Nigeria are involved in the restructuring process so that there would be a
sense of belonging.
He said, “The current federal
arrangement is faulty, there is no lie about that but the problem is not the
concept of restructuring but how do we ensure that all ethnic groups especially
the sub-ethnic groups are involved in this process so that there will be justice
and fairness for all.
“There is too much concentration
at the centre, Abuja is over concentrated to the detriments of the sub-national
ethnic entities. If we want to restructure, our differences in languages and
cultures must be accommodated, we need to be cautious of our advocacy so that
it will not be on a tripod while we neglect the cries of other sub-national
entities.
“Benue State was bombed by Fulani
Herdsmen, the Governor could not do anything. Zamfara Governor is lamenting.
Earlier this week, the president visited Plateau State, I saw the governor
fidgeting, he was scared. This must stop.
“The present law to the best of
my knowledge is anti-people and pro-oligarchy. I call on President Muhamadu
Buhari to allow Nigerians to debate for the system they want. He campaigned
with restructuring; he should tow the pact of honor.
Ann Kio Briggs lamented: “The
amalgamation brought burden on Nigeria in a way that suppressed the power to
decide whether the different ethnic groups would like to live together or
otherwise. The amalgamation foisted the entity called Nigeria on us and today
we carry that burden.
“Therefore it is not politics or
political that we must address this burden through restructuring and a new
constitution to be drafted by the people not the military like that of 1999. It
is only restructuring that will resolve this, we need a new constitution that
will address this corruption in the real sense of it and it must be now as we
approach another election year in 2019’
“We must not accept to go into
2019 elections without commitments from those who want to rule this country. We
must demand that they support restructuring and resolve this issue once and for
all. This is the way to go, this is the way to heal our wounds’ Briggs opined.
Balewa, in his contribution,
stated: “Our constitution needs to address some fundamental errors that we need
to expunge from the present constitution. Through restructuring we can address
these errors such as security of lives and properties across Nigeria, economy,
education and even our social development as a nation.
In his words, Tony Nnadi said the
advocacy for a new constitution should not be seen as opposition to the ruling
government but a genuine and patriotic advocacy to move Nigeria forward.
Nnadi quipped: “Why is the
northern oligarchy scared of restructuring? They should free us. When the
motion for independent was first moved in Lancaster house, London, United
Kingdom, the North rejected it. Later, Amodu Bellow said he was ready after a
Yoruba son, Rotimi Willams and an Igbo man, Ben Nwabueze had done a paper for
them for presentation.
“Today, 90% of non-oil revenue is
generated from Lagos through the Nigerian Custom Service but since 1960, they
have not allowed a Yoruba man to be Comptroller General of Custom. Enough of
this injustice”.
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