Restructure Nigeria into regions, Sociocultural Groups Demand

In other to make Nigeria work in the interest of everyone, representatives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Southern Kaduna Peoples Organisation (SOKAPU), Afenifere, Hausa Tsantsa, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Okpe Union, South West Development Stakeholders Forum, Agenda for Yoruba Unity, Reconciliation & Integration, and religious groups have moved for the restructuring of Nigeria into regions.

They made this demand at a one-day symposium held on Thursday at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State recently, with the theme, “From The Founding Fathers To The Prodigal Sons And Daughters: The Challenge Of Nation Building and Development.”

Convened by the Rebirth Group, the ethnic nationalities who issued a communique at the end of the session, unanimously queried what would have the founding fathers of Nigeria done in the face of the prevailing challenges in Nigeria, were they to be alive today?

Ambassador Yemi Farounbi was the chairman of the event while the keynote speaker was Professor John Bunmi Ayoade.

The speakers all agreed that the fortunes and misfortunes of Nigeria started first from its amalgamation in 1914 and particularly since Independence in 1960.

“Nigeria as presently constituted is not working in the best interests of Nigerians. The current structure is largely responsible for Nigeria not working for the betterment of the citizenry. Thus, the country should be restructured into six regions. Each region would be equal to the other in status and ranking.

“There is a need to make the central government weaker in relation to other levels of government in the country. Restructuring into regions is not meant to abrogate states that we have presently. The regions would form the Federating units to make the country to be known as United Regions of Nigeria (URN). Each region is to have its own constitution and be autonomous,” the communiqué read in part.

While some Nationals believe that operators of the existing structure are the problem rather than the structure itself; the consensus at the Symposium was that, the major challenges Nigeria is facing are due to the prevailing structure, for that reason, they resolved that Restructuring is the way to go.

They stressed that every nationality would have self-determination even within the region and states they are in, and to avoid domination or even sit-tight syndrome, heads of each level of government should be rotational on the basis of the constituents within that enclave.

The head who would be from a part of the area in question would be a person from another part as deputy. The latter would automatically become the Head of the Government at the end of the tenure of the incumbent.

“To give spirit to the above, we call for the establishment of the National Rebirth Commission. Given the huge sum of money being spent under the current presidential system, we advocate for a return to parliamentary system of government. We seek the establishment of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to heal the wounds created by injustices meted out to certain key individuals across the country” they implored.