…May opt for self-determination
The South-East South-South Network (SESSNet) has given The Federal
government of Nigeria no later than December 2017 to restructure the
country or risk intense global agitation for self-determination in the
South East and South South region.
The group also called for establishment of a Committee that would
determine which areas need to be restructured in the country with
immediate effect.
This was stated in statement issued by the group and made available to
newsmen.
The statement reads; “For decades Nigeria has faced existential crisis
due to the circumstances of its arbitrary creation and the added
phenomenon of successive bad leadership.
“The crisis of nationhood has continued unabated and in recent times has
assumed frightening dimensions with the proliferation of secessionist
groups across the country, including IPOB, MASSOB, OPC, LNC, Niger Delta
AVENGERS, RONDEL.
“The scenario is further compounded by Nomadic herdsmen and Boko haram
militia; the world’s 4th and 1st deadliest terrorist group’s seeking to
create an Islamic state across the North nay Nigeria.
“The nation is plagued by ethno-religious divisions and violence
particularly by terrorist groups on one hand and by the security services
at a scale and scope surpassed only by the Nigeria-Biafra war.
“Consequently; state failure has intensified with Nigeria being declared
the 13th most failed state in the world and the 8th most failed state in
Africa by the fragile states 2017 report.
“There is no denying the fact that the nation’s structural deficit/unitary
structure is the single biggest contributor to the nation’s ever
increasing existential crisis.
“In the light of the above; it is self-evident that the restructuring of
Nigeria is a task that must be embarked upon urgently, if only to save the
nation from impending collapse.
“It is our considered submission that the federal government must take
practical steps to restructure Nigeria latest by December this year.
“That a committee or commission for that purpose be established
immediately which will examine the 1999 constitution as amended with
regards to the exclusive and concurrent lists, the derivation formula and
other such structural/constitutional issues in order to determine aspects
of restructuring/devolution that can be commenced immediately and other
aspects that can be staggered on a transitional basis.
“That the 1967 Aburi Accord, 2014 confab reports and other such reports
already provides fundamental templates for restructuring the nation.
“That above measures are the irreducible minimum to save the nation from
imminent collapse, to begin the process of renewal, reconciliation,
reconstruction and re-engagement.
“That if by December the federal government has not taken aforesaid
practical steps to restructure the nation, SESSNet shall convene a
South-East/South-South Consultative Assembly to consider
self-determination.”