Date Published: 11/24/09

Dear Sir,

Restructuring Nigeria into six federating units

Persons of note (and of God) have been sounding it loud and clear that Nigeria is bound to disintegrate in the (near) future. An American researcher had few months back given Nigeria not more than sixteen years and this would be the case. Others have continually mentioned the impending situation but most of them say it would be without bloodshed but peacefully.

Peacefully and divinely, I support. But the most feasible way being looked at is the type of restructuring that the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; we have read him say this in many forum. The latest was at the 40 th Anniversary of the Nigeria-Britain Association lecture that took place at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, tagged “Akintola Williams Annual Lecture” (front page Vanguard November 11, 2009).  He spoke as the former Ghanaian President Kuffor, also at the forum insisted that Immunity Clause is the main cause of corruption in Nigeria and described that militarist and once Ghana went back to democracy was expunged; he urged Nigeria to do same.

Chief Anyaoku had posited that Nigeria should be restructured into six federating units with the 36 States serving as Development Centres. This could be akin to the Lagos State’s Local Government structure which is now bone of contention between Lagos and the Federal Government. My feeling is in line with the Chief Anyaoku, but before then, let a new State be created for South-East zone ‘federating unit’ (raising it to six States), if you like, so as to bring it in line with other four zones (but for one that has seven States presently). I would only add that creating such federating units would only be for trial or as a forerunner to the eventual full independence of them as countries.

With the above systematic approach, the government at the centre would become so unattractive to those up there that it would be easy for the eventual friendly and full blown independence as suggested above. Nigeria needs this as a matter of urgency and progress.

Itoro Akpabio

186 Umuahia Road

IKOT EKPENE, Akwa Ibom State .