The members of the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria are finding out clearly that they are not alone in their cry of marginalization. When their political, religious and traditional leaders gathered in Awka, the Anambra state capital, last Monday, to call for the restructuring of the federation, they were joined in solidarity by concerned members of other ethnic groups. The gathering attributed the pockets of agitations across the country to a faulty federal structure, which they said has placed some ethnic groups at the mercy of others.
The Igbo leaders who converged on Awka on the auspices of their apex socio-cultural group, Ohaneze, deliberated at length and came up with what they called “The Ekwueme Square Declaration 2018” which simply refers to their stand on ways of ensuring an equitable nation for all. They agreed on the retention of the existing six-geopolitical zones, recommending that they be institutionalized as part of the constitution.
A former Central Bank Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, presented the position of Ohaneze on the issue of restructuring at the summit. Soludo said the proposition would create a peaceful and progressive country. He said: “We demand a new constitution. We demand a constitutional conference backed by law, enacted by the National Assembly, where the people of Nigeria will agree on a new, truly federal constitution.
Among other demands, the summit called for a six-year tenure for the President, five Vice-Presidents to be appointed from the geopolitical zones, rotation of the presidency among the zones, scrapping of the local government system, and creation of an additional state for the Southeast. The President of Ohaneze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said all the arms of the body accepted the recommendations by the committees that drafted the resolution.
The Chief host of the event, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, said there was no better time for a conversation aimed at strengthening the unity of Nigeria than now. He pointed out that Igbos simply “want a just, fair and equitable federation where all citizens are guaranteed the freedom to be the best they can be and aspire to the highest position in the land, regardless of tribe, culture or religion.”
Eminent Igbo sons at home and abroad attended the event. Non-Igbo dignitaries at the summit included former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; former Information Minister, Jerry Gana; former Secretary to the federal government and presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae; Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo; Ijaw leader, Edwin Clarke; and Middle Belt chieftain, Dan Suleiman.
