tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55739442707128506582024-03-14T10:23:56.448-07:00Jos Plateau AffairsAll issues that affect Jos and Plateau State in general are discussed in this blog.Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-8737442162773875832014-11-07T10:25:00.001-08:002014-11-07T10:25:11.245-08:00PRESS RELEASE BY DU ELDERS<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">A PRESS CONFERENCE DELIVERED TO GENTLEMEN OF THE
PRESS, IN JOS <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">BY ELDER <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">DA. HON TOMA JANG DAVOU <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">OF <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">DU DISTRICT, ON BEHALF OF DU ELDERS OF CONSCIENCE
JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF PLATEAU STATE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">THE INCONSIDERATE CLAMOUR FOR POWER BY SOME DU PEOPLE
STOKES FEARS OF HATRED AND REJECTION OF DU INDIGENES AT HOME AND IN THE CIVIL
AND PUBLIC SERVICES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">29<sup>TH</sup> OCTOBER, 2014</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is by no coincidence of history that we have
found ourselves on the highland altitude of the land called Plateau State. Destiny
has made it so. This God given land of great opportunities, hope and prosperity
has ethnic nationalities of exemplary character to the whole world. The ethnic
nationalities through faith have given hope to all mankind irrespective of
tribe, creed or religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The State is a mini-Nigeria where virtually every
ethnic nationality is represented on the basis of mutual co-existence,
political maturity, ethnic respectability and respect for divergent ideologies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The harmonious co-existence of all ethnic groups,
owed the state the appropriate acronym of <i>“Home
of Peace and Tourism”.</i> The State as a result, is also magnanimously endowed
with both human and natural resources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">However, what appeared to be the enthronement of genuine
democracy came a fresh to the nation’s political horizon on May 1999.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This saw the emergence of the Fourth Republic that
has also given birth to smooth transitions of one regime to another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Plateau State and indeed, especially “Du”,
autochthonous Community owe you all a great debt of gratitude and appreciation
for electing Dr. Da. Jonah David Jang as Governor. He did not become a Governor
through a coup-de-tat. He came to Government House through the mandate and the
will of the good people of the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Leadership of Da. Jonah Jang has transformed
the State enormously. He executed his duties with a high degree of loyalty,
dedication, dynamism, commitment to hard work and productivity. The State is
blessed with this gentleman of honour who, like his predecessors is admired by
the majority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1. Because
Da. Jonah David Jang is tested tried and found to be a performer, the Plateau
North Senatorial District, may concede the Senate Seat to him. He is not going
to be imposed but may be considered by the good people of the Senatorial Zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2. Lest
we forget, we want to thank the State for giving “Du” the opportunity to dominate
the following positions through the people’s mandate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> a. The Governor - Du.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> b. GNS Pwajok, was Director of Research,
Chief of Staff and now Senator - Du.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">c. Yakubu
Jang Special Assistant on Special Duties to Governor Jang - Du.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">d. Bulus
Dareng - Du.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> i. Campaign Coordinator for President
Goodluck Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> ii. Consultant on Revenue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">iii. Representative to the National Conference
e.tc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> iv. The Controversial Sure-P Chairman – Du.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">e. Nyam Dareng
Executive Personal Assistant to the Governor - Du.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">f. James
Pam Liaison Officer Abuja - Du etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3. It is
unfortunate that the State has patronized a handful of people and most unfortunately
they are all from “Du”. Du like Soweto is under attack through the face-book
and publications of filth, innuendoes, intimidation threats, barefaced
assaults, lies and character assassination by politicians of calumny who have
sold their conscience like Judas Ischariot. Be it known to all that 99.9% of
the people of Du are not aware or associate themselves with politicians who clamour
to remain in power at all cost. Is it to steal and kill the state? Are they
trying to remain in power to cover some leads of cankerworms during this
administration? God forbid. This group, as usual, pontificates, moralize and
ride rough-shot on the age-long and timeless integrity, respect and honour of
Du people built for centuries. They appear like sheep, but wolves in character.
Du people have not forced any one to give their they support as they appeared
to be angelic but cantankerous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My good people of Plateau State I speak on behalf
of Du Elders of conscience and as an elder state man, not only of Plateau State
but of Nigeria, I am one of the great, great grandsons of Du Bwutt, the founder
and progenitor of Du District.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Greed for power and political ingratitude is not in
our blood. Greed for power has emerged from demented brains that have produced
mental and political indigestion in the society. Shun them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Du people by this document disassociate themselves
from any Du son or daughter who aspires to contest the post of Governor unless
conceded by the people. Or House of Representatives nor for the State House of
Assembly. Less than 0.05% of Du sons and daughters have enjoyed governance for
the past eight interrupted years. It is now the turn of others, for they are
also Plateau State people and Plateau belongs to them – <b><i>Zawan and Shen must be considered
for elective and appointive positions come 2015</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The People of Plateau State must reject in totality
any hegemonic local imperialism or political imposition from any <i>“self acclaimed political “god” of the
state”</i> unless we are political idiots that can easily be enticed by money
or goods during campaigns. Who is a political idiot or political harlot? It is
one who sells his or her soul and conscience for money. You have not died
during the past eight years of neglect. You can not perish now. If you are a coward, you may succumb to the
whims and caprices of political manipulation of dictatorships and tyranny. If
you are a democratic gentleman, use your vote right and vote for men and women
of honour, respect and integrity. Must I remind you that power intoxicates and
that it intoxicates absolutely?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I must conclude by reminding you that there are men
and women or the Lazaruses of Du, whom you ignorantly persecute. They sleep on
empty stomachs, can’t afford a quarter of a gallon to run their cars or motor
cycles, can’t afford medical care and die and are buried unannounced. Mark Twin
once said, <b><i>“Of all animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one
that inflicts pain for the pleasure of it”.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Micah the Prophet said it too, that <b><i>“The good
man is perished out of the earth (Du) and there is non upright among men: They
all lie in wait for Blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net”</i></b>
(Micah 7:2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Do not be bought or sold. Paul said; <b><i>“This
know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be
lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors,
heady, high-minded, lover of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form
of godliness but denying the power there of: from such turn away”. </i></b>2Tim
3:1 – 5. I say turn away from any Du man who wants to be Governor Member House
of Representatives, House of Assembly or one clamouring to be Deputy Governor as
an ambassador of incredulity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For the planet earth to survive, we must be
prepared to be like Moses and Elijah. E.G White said in The Greatest Want of
The World. <b><i>“The Greatest want of the world is the want of men, men who will not be
bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do
not fear to call sin by its name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as
the needle to the poles men who will stand for the truth though the heavens
fall”. </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TOMA
JANG DAVOU<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">On Behalf
of Du Elders of Conscience <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-38368136183147553522014-10-29T12:49:00.001-07:002014-10-29T12:49:40.950-07:00SOUTH PLATEAU STATE<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">MOVEMENT FOR THE CREATION OF SOUTH PLATEAU STATE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">OUT OF THE PRESENT PLATEAU STATE.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB">C/O No. 1
Liberty Boulevard, Bauchi Bye-Pass, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="FR">P.O. Box 6949, Jos, Plateau State.</span></i></b><b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our Ref: MCSPS/PR/VOL.1/03 Date:
23rd October 2014<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <u>PRESS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF MEETING HELD ON
THURSDAY 23<sup>RD</sup> OCTOBER 2014</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%;">PREAMBLE.</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The stakeholders of the <b>MOVEMENT FOR THE
CREATION OF SOUTH PLATEAU STATE (MCSPS)</b> out of the present Plateau State
held a meeting on Thursday, 23<sup>rd</sup> October, 2014 in Jos and <b>reviewed
its mission and objectives as well as the political journey and developments so
far, for the common good of the citizens</b>, and noted and resolved as
follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NOTED:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That
to date, the documentations and the statistical requirements and analysis
provided by the movement justifying the creation of the proposed state in line
with section 8 a, (ii), (ii) and (iii) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria continues to remain one of the best demands among similar
requests by other groups in various parts of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That
our presentation to the National Assembly Committee on State Creation in North
Central Zone at Makurdi, Benue State on 12<sup>th</sup> November 2012 received
the best accolade not only from the State Creation Committee but all other
groups that made similar requests in various parts of the Zone as ours stood
out as the best demand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">With
deep appreciation, the continuous understanding and support of vast majority of
our brothers and sisters and other stake holders in the Northern Senatorial
Zone in this noble objective, which they too believe would bring <b>growth</b>,
<b>development</b> and <b>prosperity</b> to the old and new States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That
the caucus of the <b>MCSPS</b> kept the demand alive at the National Conference
in Abuja for the most part of the 2014 through constant liaison with our worthy
ambassadors in the persons of General J.T. Useni, CFR, mni, (The Sardauna
Plateau and Nasarawa States), Distinguished Senator Alhaji Ibrahim N. Mantu
(former Deputy Senate President), Rt. Hon. Professor D. G. Shown (Former
Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly) and Brigadier General J. Temlong,
along with the good friends of the movement from the South-South, South-East,
South-West and North-Central geo-political zones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The briefing
by the Chairman of the Movement, General Useni, that due to the untiring
efforts of the aforementioned Ambassadors, the proposed South Plateau State
requests was among those that were approved and listed by the Sub- Committee on
<b>Political Restructuring and Forms of
Governance</b> and which was published by several national newspapers to the
delight of our people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
shocking news that due to the very uncharitable pressure and interference by a
leading political figure in Plateau State in collaboration with a few
unpatriotic confab delegates from Plateau State and the bad influence of the
self-acclaimed leaders of the Middle Belt at the Confab to remove the name of
South Plateau State from the compiled approved list of requests for the
creation of additional states in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That in
spite of these challenges, the leadership of the <b>MCSPS</b> is not daunted or
discouraged. Efforts and pressures are still being mounted on all concerned
until we achieve our dreams in this regard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">With
gratification that the proposed amendments of the Constitution being currently
championed at the National Assembly have listed the creation of states among items
to be amended. We also noted with delight that the first process would involve
amending the Constitution to make the exercise less cumbersome and feasible;
followed by a general referendum that would test the true desire and will of
the people. In this regard our case will therefore be re-ignited at the
National Assembly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The <b>MCSPS</b>
reiterate its philosophy of agitation for a new State as being anchored on <b>growth</b>,
<b>development</b> and <b>prosperity</b> for the new emerging and old States,
rather than the misconception that some perceived detractors, both in our zone
and at the state levels, have and are determined to kill the dream. We believe that
in the nearest future, the verdict of History and posterity will eventually
vindicate the just and patriotic struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Views
with concern and with amused incredulity the uncouth and insolent public
announcement on the media by the State EXCO of the ruling PDP, disclaiming and warning
prominent elder Statesmen and Politicians to desist forthwith from using the Party’s
name and logo in parading themselves as members and aspirants to various
elective positions until after the primaries. We sincerely believe that a
Political Party in a democratic dispensation is not a personal property of any
individual. By virtue of the Nigeria Constitution, every Citizen has the
irrefutable and fundamental right to belong to any political party or
Association of his/her choice. For the Common good, we advise that politics
must, generally, be practiced with morality rather than impunity and ludicrous
vanity and seeming lost of touch with realities of party governance and administration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">RESOLVED<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That
the movement supports in totality the zoning of the position of <b>GOVERNOR</b> to the <b>Southern Senatorial
Zone</b>, which has been the political practice since 1999, whether written or
not. While we appreciate that it is not written, we noted that even in the
recently concluded National Conference, the ideal of zoning (Presidential,
Gubernatorial positions, etc) was unanimously endorsed and brought into sharp
focus in line with practice of politics with morality. The movement rejects any
attempt to shift the goal post mid-way under the disguise of starting the
zoning from the Northern Senatorial Zone where the present regime would stop.
The meeting therefore resolved that every citizen in the proposed South Plateau
State should choose a Governor of their choice from the Southern Senatorial
Zone in 2015. This will ensure equity, justice and fair play and promote
peaceful co-existence in Plateau State. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
Movement once again appreciates the deep understanding and support of vast
majority of patriotic citizen in the Northern Senatorial Zone that the
Governorship slot goes to the Southern Senatorial Zone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
movement noted in particular the patriotic zeal and disposition of Hon. Bitrus
Kaze (Member House of Representative Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency).
Hon. Kaze has publicly declared that for equity and justice the governorship
slot in 2015 should be zoned to the Southern Senatorial Zone. We also noted
with pleasure that there are more groups and individuals in the Northern Zone
who share Hon. Kaze’s views and have promised to demonstrate this practically
in 2015 by supporting governorship aspirant from the Southern Senatorial Zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
movement calls on all Political Party EXCOs, including the ruling People
Democratic Party (PDP) in the State to declare the same position of the
Governorship slot going to the Southern Zone to douse the unnecessary political
tension that is currently irritating citizens in Plateau State. The meeting
also resolved that any political party that does not zone the governorship slot
to the Southern Senatorial Zone in 2015 should expect a colossal defeat in the
governorship election as had happened in the past by the collective resolve of
the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
Movement applauded the briefings received from the <b>Equity and Justice Group</b>
as well as the <b>Plateau Equity Forum</b>, which subsequently agreed to
harmonize under the broad banner of<b> Movement for the Creation of South
Plateau State. </b>The Movement therefore called on all similar groups and fora
to come forward and join the bandwagon for better effectiveness and sustainable
mobilization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
Movement reiterated its absolute confidence in the leadership of General J.T.
Useni. It also commended the zeal and dexterity of the teeming Members of the <b>MCSPS
</b>that in spite of the fact that individuals belong to different political
parties, they have remained united, without acrimony and are determined to uphold
the ideals for the common good in terms of good governance, justice and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Above
all, the Movement resolved to cooperate with all tiers of Government (State,
Local and Federal) and to assiduously promote democratic ideals, devoid of
dictatorial tendencies and imposition of candidates. In this respect, it also
resolved to actively indulge in advocacy of <b>mutual coexistence and trust</b>
as well as <b>free and fair elections</b>, being essential ingredients for
justice, peace and sustainable development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Long Live Movement for the Creation of South
Plateau State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Long Live Plateau State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Long Live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sir Professor
John W. Wade,</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Ph.D. (Stirling,
U.K.), KSM, mni<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Secretary
of the Movement, Harmonization<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
Technical Committees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Thursday,
23rd October, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-13815409010804310122014-10-07T12:42:00.001-07:002014-10-07T12:42:26.681-07:0080 NIGERIENS ARRESTED IN NIGERIA<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 22.5pt; mso-line-height-alt: 13.2pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">STF confirms arrest of
80 Niger Republic nationals in Plateau<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #888888; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Theeagleonline.com, By <a href="http://theeagleonline.com.ng/author/moses/" title="Posts by Moses Gbande"><span style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Moses Gbande</span></a>
October 7, 2014 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The spokesman of the
STF, Captain Iwehe Ikedichi, confirmed that those arrested are nationals of
Niger Republic, stressing that they are currently facing strict investigation
by security personnel to find out the purpose of their mission to Jos.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18pt; text-align: justify;">The Special Task Force has placed citizens of Plateau State on
the red alert following reports of strange movements within the city of Jos,
the state capital.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reports said already over 80 strange faces suspected to have
been contracted to perpetrate evil in Plateau State have been arrested in
Rikkos area of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The spokesman of the STF, Captain Iwehe Ikedichi, confirmed that
those arrested are nationals of Niger Republic, stressing that they are
currently facing strict investigation by security personnel to find out the
purpose of their mission to Jos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Captain Ikedichi said some citizens of Nigeria, who were among
those arrested, have been investigated and discharged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He confirmed that in the wake of the arrest, there were attacks
in some villages of Riyom Local Government Areas of of Plateau State, resulting
in the death many, including some military personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It will be recalled that five villages were ransacked last week
by suspected Fulani herdsmen in midnight raids in Riyom Local Government
Area of Plateau State, leaving scores dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The suspected assailants, fingered to be Fulani herdsmen,
stormed the villages in the early hours ofFriday night, killing and
burning several houses of people of Berom extraction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau
State Police Command, Abu Emmanuel, and Ikedichi, expressed worry over the
renewed crises in the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They called on citizens to always be on the alert and report any
suspicious movement to security agencies for actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emmanuel said operatives of the command have also been placed on
24 hours stand-by to swiftly respond to any distress call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said they are ready to deal ruthlessly with any group or
individuals whose stock in trade is to foment trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-74826933907521300852014-10-07T12:23:00.001-07:002014-10-07T12:23:56.084-07:00A REVIEW OF THE SECULARITY OF THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A REVIEW OF THE SECULARIY OF THE NIGERIAN
CONSTITUTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By James Pam<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is ambivalent in its
provisions and pronouncements regarding the practice of religion in the
country. It is surprising that sections of the populace who have been maligned
by these constitutional ambiguities have lived with them for so long. The
result of the inaction of these adversely affected citizens is the religious
wars that Nigeria continues to experience with escalating ferocity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Nigerian military Government that gave us the 1999 Constitution currently in
use via Military Decree No. 24 on 5<sup>th</sup> May, 1999 wrote on its page 19
that, “We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria … having firmly and
solemnly resolved … do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves the following Constitution.” Nothing could be
further from the truth because the people of Nigeria were not consulted via the
conventional process of a national referendum.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
a definition and understanding of what secularism means, we shall rely on the definition
and opinions expressed in a seminal paper by Dr. Godwin N. Okeke and published
in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, Volume
2, Issue 3 of March 2013 (pages 65 – 69) titled, <i>The Ambivalence of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution in Matters Relating
to Secularism: a Case for a Constitutional Review</i>. He defined secularism as
a system of social organization or that does not allow religion to influence
the government. It is the belief that religion should not influence the
government. He explains further that a secular state is therefore a state or
country that purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion,
supporting neither religion nor irreligion. A secular state also claims to
treat all its citizens equally regardless of religion, and claims to avoid
preferential treatment for a citizen of a particular religion/non-religion over
other religions/non-religion. Although secular states do not have a state
religion or equivalent, the absence of a state religion does not guarantee that
a state is secular. He opines that secularism is commonly regarded as an
ideology that holds that religious issues should not be the basis of politics,
or, in the extreme, that religion has no place in public life. Secularism,
therefore, seeks to preserve the religious neutrality of government and cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nigeria’s
1999 Constitution provided for religion and secularity at the same time in four
sections. These are: (1) Section 10, which attempts to establish the secularity
of the Nigerian state by providing that, “The Government of the Federation or of
a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion.” (2) Section 38, which
re-enforces the rights of Nigerians to freedom of thought, conscience and
religion in its 4 sub-sections. (3) Sections 275 and 280, which make a
volt-face and contradict the two earlier quoted Sections. Section 275 provides
for the creation of States Sharia Courts of Appeal while Section 280 provides
for the creation of States Customary Courts of Appeal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">First,
the provisions found in Sections 10 and 38 are completely negated and rendered
void by the provisions found in Sections of 275 and 280. Second, the adherents
of other religions apart from Islam have been relegated to an inferior status
and discriminated against by the provisions in Section 275 because their religions
have not been given equal recognition by the same Constitution. Third, while
these provisions recognize the important place of religion in our national
life, they pretend that we can operate some modicum of secularism and not
pluralism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
matter of secularism or non-secularism of the current Nigeria Constitution came
to a head at the just-concluded National Conference 2014 when two delegates
representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop of Kafanchan
Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Joseph Bagobiri, representing the Northern
Central Zone, and Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, representing the South West Zone,
brought up what they described as the unfair treatment of Christians and
Christianity in the country. They submitted at a plenary session that the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was skewed in favor of Islam
and Muslims and called on delegates to correct this anomaly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pastor
Bosun Emmanuel submitted that the 1999 Constitution mentions ‘Shariah’ 73
times, ‘Grand Khadi’ 54 times, ‘Islam’ 28 times and ‘Muslims’ 10 times but does
not mention the words ‘Christ’, ‘Christian’, ‘Christianity’ or ‘church’ even
once. He concluded his submission very politely by saying, “Some mischievous
elements are taking these lapses in the Constitution to come to the ungodly
decision that probably the State is an Islamic State.” The submissions of the
two Christian delegates angered their Muslim counterparts who tried to shout
them down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pastor
Bosun Emmanuel has elucidated his message further in other fora where he opines
that the major flaw in our 1999 Constitution is its “dual ideology” because it
is ambivalent in its religious provisions. He explains that while the
compendium tries to guarantee freedom of choice of religion to all Nigerians in
one breath, it promotes one religion in another. Also, while the same Constitution debars the
Federal and State Governments from adopting a state religion, it violates this itself
by recognizing one religion above all others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
our national life today, 12 out of the 36 States of Nigeria have blatantly
violated the clear provisions of Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution which
states that, “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt
any religion as State religion”. These 12 States have each adopted one religion
as State religion via State law. Zamfara State led in this impunity in in 2005 and
11 other States have since towed the same path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is no wonder that the constitutionally favored citizens of Nigeria abhor the
idea of replacing the 1999 Constitution. It is also no wonder that the makers
of that Constitution made the process of constitutional amendment very
cumbersome. National Conference delegates who protested against one of the final
Conference document titled, <i>2014 Draft
Constitution</i>, must be among the constitutionally favored few in the country.
Surprisingly, the mere change of name of this same document appeased them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
2014 National Conference recommended 395 amendments to the 1999 Constitution. What
would become of this Constitution after all these amendments might have been
implemented? A new constitution would have been introduced by whatever name we
care to call it. The opponents of a new constitution for the country seem to be
overly jittery at such prospects for reasons best known to them. The delegates
who held a press conference to declare their support for this final Conference
document titled, <i>2014 Draft Constitution,</i>
and the Conference leadership who drafted it had no qualms whatsoever with the
document or its title.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
must be obvious to readers at this point that the Nigerian 1999 Constitution is
fundamentally flawed in the treatment of Nigerian citizens and must be
thoroughly reviewed because it cannot be sustained much longer. If such a
review would, of necessity, mean amending substantial portions of it (up to 80%)
then the country is due for a new constitution by popular demand. The Nigerian
1999 Constitution is anything but secular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nigeria’s
religious is ‘political religion’ in the main. That is, the huge obsession by
religion by Nigerians is basically for political reasons. Nigerians foist
religion to the fore in governance, politics, economics, social debate and in virtually
every other facet of national life just so that adherents of their own
religions gets whatever there is to gain – seats/participation in government,
land, money, higher offices, first position, etc, and not for spiritual growth,
economic development or justice. Political religion is all about one religion
cheating other religions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
teachings and tenets of the country’s various religions do not seem to mean a
thing to their adherents. Religion has not improved the morals of most
politicians nor even the clergy. The various clergy and their politician
compatriots enjoy a cozy relationship. The 2002 Pew Global Attitudes Project
scored Nigeria 92% (second only to Indonesia) in importance of religion to the
people. In the same year Transparency International scored us one of the most
corrupt nations on earth. Probably the most emotive and potentially explosive
issue in Nigeria today is our constitutional religious imbalance. Let those
concerned address the problem quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rev.
James Pam, </span><a href="mailto:jamespam2004@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">jamespam2004@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, 05th October,
2014 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-74768063860468433122014-10-05T15:21:00.000-07:002014-10-05T15:21:14.921-07:00BOKO HARAM HAS KILLED 13,000 NIGERIANS<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Boko
Haram has killed 13000 Nigerians – Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">PREMIUMTIMES.COM,
</span><a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/168686-boko-haram-has-killed-13000-nigerians-jonathan.html" title="Permalink to Boko Haram has killed 13,000 Nigerians – Jonathan"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666699; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">September 26, 2014</span></a><a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/author/ibanga-isine" title="Posts by Ibanga Isine"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666699; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ibanga Isine</span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nigeria’s President,
Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday told the United Nations that 13,000 Nigerians
have so far been killed by Boko Haram insurgents in the country’s North-east
zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The President, who
described the trend as “unacceptable,” also challenged the international
community to “act now,” to stop the global menace of terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He insisted that Boko
Haram insurgents are being funded from outside the country and called for
international support to countries on the frontline of terrorism war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mr. Jonathan said these
at a high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York,
United States of America, on Wednesday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While describing the
activities of terrorists as unacceptable, he said Nigerians have experienced
the destructive effects of the menace during the past five years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nigeria knows too well
the destructive effects of terrorist activities. Over the past five years, we
have been, and are still confronting threats posed by Boko Haram to peace and
stability predominantly in the North Eastern part of our country,” Mr. Jonathan
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The costs are high: over
13,000 people have been killed, whole communities razed, and hundreds of
persons kidnapped, the most prominent being the mindless kidnap of our innocent
daughters from Chibok Secondary School, in North East Nigeria.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While appreciating the
UN’s leadership for convening the meeting to address global terrorism concerns,
he said the resolution adopted by member states was a critical step in
mobilizing international action against terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Despite the daunting
challenge posed by Boko Haram, he said his government has doggedly mobilised
resources at its disposal to ensure that the scourge is rooted out of Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In addition to our
counterterrorism efforts, he noted that the administration has evolved
initiatives to alleviate the plight of the population in the affected
communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He listed some of such
efforts to include the Presidential Initiative for the North East, Victims
Support Fund as well as the Safe Schools Initiative, which is supported by
former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Continuing, Mr. Jonathan
said, “We must now capitalize on the commitment and evident determination of
the Security Council to seek more innovative responses to the threat of
terrorism and in particular to the growing menace of foreign fighters,” Mr.
Jonathan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The council should be
concerned about the existence of sources of arming and funding terrorists.
Evidence has shown that Boko Haram, for instance, is resourced largely from
outside our country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We must also commit to
ensuring that countries which are in the frontline of this challenge, receive
adequate support from the international community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The Resolution that we
have adopted here today is a critical first step in mobilising international
action,” said the Nigeria’s President.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mr. Jonathan said
Nigerians and the world are horrified at the gruesome murder of two American
journalists and a British aid worker by elements linked to Islamic State, ISIS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He noted that the murders
typified the new face of global terrorism marked by executions, extreme
brutality and impunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He listed Al Qaeda in the
Arab Maghreb, Al Shabaab in Somalia, and Boko Haram in North Eastern Nigeria as
some of the groups that share the agenda of unleashing terror, mayhem,
destruction and instability around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Nigerian President
noted that bands of foreign fighters have added a troubling dimension to the
emerging phase of global terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From targeted attacks by
Al Qaeda a few years ago, Mr. Jonathan said the world now witness thousands of
mobile terrorists sweeping across vast areas, destroying lives, and even
attempting to hold territory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He, however, thanked the
American President, Barrack Obama, and the US Government for the security
governance initiative which was conceived at the US-Africa Summit in August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I believe, if
expeditiously implemented, the initiative will enhance security on the
continent,” Mr. Jonathan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Only by united action
and firm resolve can we check this raging threat to humanity, and also build
the enduring structures that will resist their re-emergence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-41435448210607632732014-10-05T14:34:00.001-07:002014-10-05T14:34:18.620-07:00UNFOLDING AGENDA AGAINST CHRISTIANITY IN NIGERIA<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PRESS CONFERENCE: UNFOLDING AGENDA
AGAINST CHRISTIANITY IN NIGERIA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kingdomnewsng.com, Jan 15 2014 |
02:07pm <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM4um8nWxJgTMDMH5-QQFsPXJmYZ5BuLYbRTiigVQaxfwoINZGIwH3yKiTeHhx8NTOhHmyX7HANQfA4-RtgoNwIj1dLEa1mnAWJLnO2ZuUtREYsIBguzRBNEy2ddGsiMlBHLPuAIYZRpw/s1600/CAN_Press_Conf+AGENDA+AGAINST+CHRISTIANITY+IN+NIGERIA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM4um8nWxJgTMDMH5-QQFsPXJmYZ5BuLYbRTiigVQaxfwoINZGIwH3yKiTeHhx8NTOhHmyX7HANQfA4-RtgoNwIj1dLEa1mnAWJLnO2ZuUtREYsIBguzRBNEy2ddGsiMlBHLPuAIYZRpw/s1600/CAN_Press_Conf+AGENDA+AGAINST+CHRISTIANITY+IN+NIGERIA.JPG" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISSUES OF THE MOMENT:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">UNFOLDING AGENDA AGAINST
CHRISTIANITY IN NIGERIA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am compelled, as a Christian and
as the president of the Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI), and also as the
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South West Zone, to
draw the attention of the entire citizenry of this country, as well as other
nations in the world, to the growing threat to the lives and properties of
Christians in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We affirm that Nigeria is a secular
society in which all the citizens have free right to live, work, and express
their faith according to their individual convictions. If the secularity of
Nigeria has in any way been reviewed or modified, we are not aware. The
Constitution of Nigeria guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of movement, and
the right to worship God according to individual conviction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are however disturbed, and very
alarmed, at the rate and consistency with which Christians are being
slaughtered in northern Nigeria, in a manner similar to the genocide in Rwanda.
The brutality, cruelty and inhuman manner in which Nigerian Christians are
being systematically and consistently slaughtered by individuals claiming to be
adherents of the Islamic faith has reached an alarming proportion that we are
compelled to speak out. THIS IS INHUMAN!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the northern parts of the
country, these individuals and groups of individuals have been operating for
years with reckless impunity and without regard to law and order, or respect to
the right of other Nigerians to live and express their faith in God according
to their choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To mention but a few of such
instances:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$1.
On 10</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> March, 2010, Islamic terrorists slaughtered 501
Christians in the village of Dogo Nahawa, Jos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$2.
On 7</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> July, 2012, Fulani Islamic terrorists slaughtered 67
Christians around 7.00 a.m. in Wase, Riyom Local Government, Plateau State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$3.
On 14</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> May, 2013, Rev. Faye Pama, the Secretary of Christian
Association of Nigeria in Borno State, was shot and killed by members of the
Boko Haram inside his house in Maiduguri.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$4. On
6</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> July, 2013, Boko Haram militants attacked Government
Secondary School, Mamudo, Yobe state and killed over 42 students as they slept
in the dormitory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$5.
Again on Sunday 29</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> September, 2013, Boko Haram insurgents attacked
College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe state and killed over 40 students as they
slept in the dormitory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$6. In
Nasarawa state, over 90 Christians were killed by Fulani herdsmen in 2013 in
various attacks in Doma and Lafia Local Governments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$7.
On 10</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> November, 2013, over 36 Christians were killed in the
Agatu Local Government Area of Benue state while over 6,000 Christians were
displaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Boko Haram causes mayhem all over
the North killing Christians and destroying Christian properties, the Fulani
herdsmen are on rampage all over the nation killing people at will, with a high
concentration of their atrocities in the Middle Belt. The Fulani herdsmen are
fast becoming notorious as harbinger of destruction wherever they lead their
cattle to, in the Middle Belt, South West and in the South East. It is quite
amazing that these Fulani herdsmen are yet to be convicted of mass murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It equally disheartening that even
moderate Muslims that do not seem to support these agents of death and
destruction are also targeted and killed by members of the Boko Haram terrorist
group. It is very unfortunate that innocent students are also massacred by
these terrorists. While attacks have been reported against moderate Muslims
that do not support these insurgents, it is clear to the whole world that the
main target of these terrorist attacks by both Boko Haram and the Fulani
herdsmen are the Christians in Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While some mischievous elements in
the media have attempted portraying these killings as ethnic or socio-economic
related clashes, clashes, the patterns of the attacks confirm that it is a
religious war, patterned after the Islamic Jihad. According to the World Watch
List, <b>“The majority of the incidents of conflicts that have been
reported in the international media as ‘clashes’ between Muslims and Christians
in actual fact have been one-sided violence against Christians.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a result of these crises,
thousands of Christian men, women and children have been murdered, thousands of
children have become orphans, thousands of women are widowed, thousands of
children are fatherless, while innumerable Christian men and women have been
maimed and mutilated. It is unbelievable that in this age and period, human
beings could descend to such level of inhuman barbarity and cruelty while
claiming divine mandate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nigerian citizens have been hacked
to death with machete, their throats have been slit with knives like rams,
their heads have been severed from their necks with the saw carpenters use on
wood, the barrel of AK 47 has been placed on their nose before being fired, the
stomach of pregnant women were ripped open with knives, they have been burnt
alive, and all manners of unprintable atrocities have been committed by some
Nigerian citizens against other Nigerian citizens all in the name of expanding
a religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the states of Borno, Yobe,
Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Kogi, Niger, Nassarawa, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna,
Gombe, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, individuals and groups of
individuals, claiming Islamic injunction, have been routinely killing, bombing,
maiming and mutilating Christians. Properties of Christians are being destroyed
and their places of worship as well as business locations are routinely burnt
and destroyed. The situation reached a crescendo that the Federal Government
was compelled to impose a State of Emergency in the states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa
on 14</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> May, 2013. Despite the State of Emergency, the Islamic
terrorists did not relent in their attacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to 2013 World Watch List
report, 66% of Christians killed globally, were Nigerian Christians killed in
Nigeria.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS DISTRESS?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As distressing as the present
scenario in the nation is, what is more distressing is the valid information
that the bloodshed we are witnessing today is the culmination of a carefully
planned agenda to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state and Africa as an Islamic
continent. Members of the Boko Haram clearly announce that their objective is
to Islamize Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are aware that a meeting was held
many years ago to strategize on Islamizing Africa in general and Nigeria in
particular. We are also aware that eradication of Christian groups resistant to
Islamic conversion was advocated in a conference held in Abuja in 1989 by the
Islam in Africa Organization. That Islamic agenda is unfolding before our eyes
today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We wish to use this medium to alert
Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the South West, that there is an Islamic
Agenda that has been launched against Nigeria, and the trend of events seems to
point in the direction of the South West as the next battle ground. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There seems to be a gradual plot to make Islam the dominant
religion in the South West. We cannot understand why the political party that
is currently ruling in the South West fielded mostly Muslims as its
governorship candidates. 80% of the governors of this political party in the
South West are Muslims. It is a gross imbalance that must be redressed without
delay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To add to our apprehension, the
governor of Osun State, Governor Aregbesola, has commenced taking decisions and
introducing policies that are clearly anti-Christian. Osun state under Governor
Aregbesola is not hiding its intolerance and disdain for the Christian faith.
Recently, as a direct result of his policies, a Christian secondary school in
Osun state was invaded by Muslims and the Principal of the Baptist school was
nearly beaten into a state of coma. It is by a stroke of divine intervention
that the Principal did not die. To date, we are yet to witness the prosecution
of the Muslims who perpetrated that dastardly act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christians in Nigeria should be
warned not to underestimate the unfolding Islamic Agenda in the country.
Historically, nations like Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, and so on, were Christian
nations before they were overran by Islam. Not only were they overrun by Islam,
their culture and governance was taken over by Arabs. If a nation like Turkey
could be Islamized, Christians in Nigeria should not assume that the
Islamization Agenda is an idle threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is pertinent to advise Christians
in the South West, who have concluded that the South West is immune to such
attacks, that they should study carefully what is unfolding in Osun State.
Developments in Osun state clearly confirm that there is cause for concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We wish to state clearly that those
of us who are Christians in Nigeria, SHALL NOT RENOUNCE CHRISTIANITY, AND
NEITHER SHALL WE CONVERT TO ISLAM. We are Christians by choice, and we choose
to remain Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are persuaded that no human being
needs to be forced or coerced to accept a gift. A gift that comes with a sword
as an alternative is a questionable gift. It is a suspicious gift. Every gift
speaks for itself and forceful persuasion becomes unnecessary. Any faith that
is a gift and a blessing does not require forceful coercion to make people
accept it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nigeria belongs to every Nigerian
and we advocate peaceful coexistence of all the various groups in the nation.
Whoever wishes to be a Muslim should remain a Muslim and whoever wishes to
remain a Christian should remain a Christian. Each man should live according to
the convictions of his heart without intimidation or oppression from any other
group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">POLITICS OF RELIGION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the midst of the present crisis,
it is disturbing to observe the creeping emergence of politics of religion in
Nigeria. It is becoming worrisome that religion is gradually becoming the
defining factor in politics in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are also disturbed by the
consistent intensity with which Muslim politicians seek to destabilize the
government of President Goodluck Jonathan. We clearly remember that before his
election, certain Muslim politicians threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable
for him should he exercise his constitutional right of seeking election as the
President of Nigeria. Events that have unfolded after his election, starting
with the Post-Election Violence in 2011, prove that it was not an idle threat.
We appeal to our fellow Muslim citizens that are determined to cause problem in
the nation, that Nigeria belongs to both Christians and Muslims. Every Nigerian
has the constitutional right to seek elective office and no one should be
harassed or intimidated for doing so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In addition, we are observing the
emergence of political gatherings with conflicting signals about its religious
intent. As Christians, we welcome an all-inclusive political party that will
protect the interests of all the citizens of this country, irrespective of
tribe, religion, or social status. The unfortunate religious persecution in the
northern parts of Nigeria is an eye-opener and calls for caution in
establishing political associations. The current imbalance in the religious
structure in the North of Nigeria that is gradually being replicated in the
South West demands serious attention by all leaders of the church in Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Undoubtedly, the unbalanced control
of the political machinery by a religion in the northern parts of Nigeria is at
the bedrock of the current religious intolerance that is plaguing the region.
To have such structure replicated at any other zone in the country should be of
grave concern to every Nigerian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Therefore, at the Christian Welfare
Initiative (CWI) and the Christians Association of Nigeria, (CAN), South West,
we recommend as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$1·
Christians all over Nigeria and in the South West in particular, should embark
on prayer and fasting from 14</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">January – 14</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> February, 2014 for the church in Nigeria and for the
nation. Prayers should be mobilized that every conspiracy that has been
conceived against Christians in Nigeria shall fail. We are aware that some
denominations are already running prayer and fasting program. We simply request
that prayers for the church and for the issues raised in this press conference
should be included in their prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$2·
Christians all over Nigeria should pray fervently that the religious carnage in
the North of Nigeria shall be eliminated rather than it being replicated in
other parts of the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$3·
We call on Nigeria's President, the Inspector General of Police and the
Governors of the states where mass murders are being committed to come up with
effective and proactive policing strategies to ensure that no Nigerian
Citizen or village becomes a soft target for the harbingers of terror. The use
of technology, (Drones and CCTV) for surveillance and rapid response purposes
by Security agents should be employed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$4·
We wish to inform our Muslim relatives in the South West that any Islamic
violence in Yoruba land portends grave danger, not only to the Christians, but
also to the Muslims. Sometime in 2013, when the terrorists from the North
attempted to blow up the 3</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">rd</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Mainland Bridge in Lagos, they did not make plans to
evacuate Muslims from the impending disaster. If they had succeeded, they would
have killed both Christians and Muslims. As we see in the North, Boko Haram is
killing both Christians and Muslims. Therefore, Muslims in the South West
should join the clarion call that the secularity of the South West must be
maintained. No Yoruba man or woman will profit from any Islamization Agenda in
the South West. For our sake and for the sake of our descendants, we must
maintain the delicate balance of our society so that Yorubaland does not become
the next Syria, Iraq, or Somalia. It is a common saying with our people that
“we shall not adopt insanity with religion”. What is going on in the North of
Nigeria must be prevented from taking place in the South West.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$5·
Christians in the South West must raise their voices and demand that the next
governor of Lagos State in 2015 must be a genuine Christian. After 16 years of
Muslim governors, it is only fair, that the next governor should be a
Christian. This is in keeping with the secular nature of the nation and
maintains the delicate balance in our society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$6·
We are equally concerned about the gradual Islamization of the civil service
structure in states where the Governor is a Muslim. There is a visible lopsided
appointment of Directors, Permanent Secretaries, and heads of Parastatals in
favor of Muslims. This is the scenario in the 12 Sharia states in northern
Nigeria and it is disturbing that it is being replicated in the South West. It
must be reversed immediately, in the best interest of our people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$7·
Competent Christians who are called by God into politics and governance are
urged to come forth and vie for political offices in the land. The reluctance
of Christians to get involved in politics and governance is no longer in the
best interest of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$8·
We wish to call on the Federal Government to ensure the payment of compensation
to Christian victims of the various Islamic persecutions in the northern parts
of the country. A credible channel to disburse the compensation should be
established by the government to ensure that genuine victims of these attacks
are adequately compensated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$9·
Leaders of the various Christian denominations/ministries are encouraged to
meet and deliberate on the various issues that are affecting both the church
and the nation. We shall soon be inviting Leaders of the various Christian
denominations/ministries to a meeting to deliberate on the various issues that
are affecting both the church and the nation, we appeal this invitation should
be taken seriously. We are at a crucial stage in the history of this nation and
Godly leadership is required to enable the nation overcome the present
challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$10·
We are also urging Christians all over the nation to ensure that they register
and ensure that they exercise their constitutional right of voting at the next
elections for candidates that will primarily, ensure the secularity of the
Nigerian state as well as promote righteousness in governance. This nation was
conceived as a secular state that will provide equal opportunities for all the
citizens irrespective of the tribe or religious affiliation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finally, we wish to assure every
citizen of Nigeria that Christians are committed to peaceful coexistence and we
urge every citizen of Nigeria to adopt the same attitude. We affirm the
secularity of the Nigerian state and it must remain so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Signed</span></i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Archbishop Magnus Atilade<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">President, Christian Welfare
Initiative (CWI)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chairman, Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN), South-West Zone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<br /></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-17115303382628269482014-10-05T14:31:00.002-07:002014-10-05T14:31:28.749-07:00NIGERIA, ISLAMISM AND THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 10.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">NIGERIA, ISLAMISM AND THE ISLAMIC
DEVELOPMENT BANK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">by </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 19.533332824707px;">Eghes Eyieyien</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In some ways I truly
admire Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria. He is not just a very intelligent, suave, populist orator; he is also
a great strategist. While he still continues to be irritatingly loquacious and
he stubbornly experiments with his inane ideas and policies which are
destroying the capital market, the banking industry and the economy, one cannot
but admire his single-minded commitment to foist his Malaysia-style Islamic
Banking on Nigerians despite superior and rational arguments that have been
canvassed by a number of informed people that a uniform and religion-neutral
Non-Interest Financial Institutions (NIFI) Framework should be issued by the
Central Bank of Nigeria to replace its extant NIFI Guideline. But that is not
even the issue of our discourse here.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not many might have
noticed that Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has since taken a back seat with
regard to the promotion and advocacy of Islamic Banking. His advisers and
fellow Islamists must have told him he would help their Jihadist cause better
if he worked from the shadows. Now, my friend and former colleague at the
Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) where we were both Senior Managers
in 1996, Dr. Yerima Ngama, the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, has
stepped forward as the new face of Islamic Finance advocacy and promotion in
Nigeria. He has even been designated the Islamic Development Bank "(IsDB)
Governor - Nigeria" And the Vice President, His Excellency, Arc. Namadi
Sambo, has found himself being pushed forward by his subordinates to give
"Presidential endorsement" to the Finance Agenda of Political Islam.
Kudos to SLS!!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sanusi must be feeling
triumphant that Islamic Finance appears to be on the march in Nigeria. He has
succeeded in making all the financial regulatory bodies in Nigeria to sanction
Islamic Finance in one way or the other. The Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, and more recently, the
National Pension Commission have all made some adjustments to their regulatory
guidelines to accommodate "Shariah-compliant" financial products and
services.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Transcorp Hilton
Hotel, Abuja, played host to The IsDB- Nigeria Business Forum which took place
from 15th to 16th March, 2012. The Islamic Development Bank and its partners
pulled out all the stops to put up a display designed to impress its foot-print
on the African Jewel south of the Sahara. It's delegation included its Group President,
Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani, Dr. Birama B. Sidibe (Vice President,
Operations), Dr. Abdel Rahman Taha (CEO, Islamic Corp. for the Insurance of
Investment & Export Credit), Khaled Al-Aboodi (CEO, Islamic Corporation for
the Development of the Private Sector), and Dr. Waleed Al-Wohaib (CEO
International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation). The "Country Hosts"
were said to be the Coordinating Minister for the Economy & Hon. Minister
for Finance, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Hon. Minister of State for Finance
& IsDB Governor - Nigeria, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, and Executive Secretary
of Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) –Eng. Mustafa Bello. Chicason
Group, Jaiz Bank and Bank of Industry were the "Corporate sponsors"
of the event. Sadly, the "Distinguished Special Guest of Honour and Patron
of the Business Forum", President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, did not grace
the occasion but was ably represented by Arc. Namadi Sambo.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just last week, during
the special meeting of the African Governors Forum on the Special Programme for
the Development of Africa (SPDA) held in Khartoum, Sudan, the Nigerian Vice
President announced while delivering his keynote address that the Islamic Development
Bank (IDB) has set aside about $2billion dollars (about N310 billion) in
support of Nigeria's developmental programmes which is to span three years
(2012-2014). By the way, the Opening Ceremony of the IDB programme was
"graced" by Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir who is wanted by the
International Criminal Court on war crimes charges.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In February, the Federal
Government sought approval from the National Assembly for its intention to
borrow $7.9 billion from the World Bank, African Development Bank, Islamic
Development Bank, EXIM Bank of China and Indian lines of credit. The President
indicated that the funds would be used to cover pipeline projects in the
2012-2014 External Borrowing Plan. Under the plan, government will borrow $2.64
billion annually. Even before the approval of the National Assembly, Dr. Yerima
Ngama disclosed that Nigeria has already applied for US$670million
"interest-free loan" from the Islamic Development Bank. This
"interest-free loan", however attracts a charge which the IDB's
Disbursement Manual calls "a modest service fee, not exceeding 2.5%, to
recover part of the administrative costs incurred in project identification,
appraisal and supervision". However, if it is an OCR (Ordinary Capital
Resources) Loan, the service charge is 4%. It is not clear yet whether
Nigeria's Loan request is considered an OCR Loan and what the proposed Profit
and Loss Sharing arrangement is between the Federal Government of Nigeria and
the Islamic Development Bank on the "interest-free loan" being sought.<br />
<br />
If you are familiar with Nigeria's history with foreign debts, you must have
been alarmed as I was. As at 4th April, 2012, our Foreign Exchange Reserves
were a mere US$35,822,362,444.10 while our States and Federal Governments'
External Debt Stock as at 31st December, 2011, totalled US$5,666,579,900 Our
Domestic Debts stood at N5,622,843,712,000that is about US$36,276,411,045 using
a conservative exchange rate of US$1/N155. The Debt Sustainability argument
that our GDP can accommodate more debts is hollow. The reality is that our
cashflow as a nation cannot sustain more debts! Nigerians should rise up to say
NO to the government's plans to borrow about US$7Billion for the pipelines
project. However, we should even be more alarmed that, under the guise of
finance, the Political Islamists in the Federal Government want to
surreptitiously lure Nigeria and Nigerians into indebtedness to the religious
organisation, the Islamic Development Bank.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some would argue that
the Islamic Development Bank is merely about finance and that "money has
no religion". But is the IDB really all just about finance? The IDB
website (</span><a href="http://www.isdb.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1e66ae; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.isdb.org</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">) says much which is enlightening:<br />
Establishment<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Islamic Development
Bank is an international financial institution established in pursuance of the
Declaration of Intent issued by the Conference of Finance Ministers of Muslim
Countries held in Jeddah in Dhul Q'adah 1393H, corresponding to December 1973.
The Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Governors took place in Rajab 1395H,
corresponding to July 1975, and the Bank was formally opened on 15 Shawwal
1395H corresponding to 20 October 1975.<br />
Purpose<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The purpose of the Bank
is to foster the economic development and social progress of member countries
and Muslim communities individually as well as jointly in accordance with the
principles of Shari'ah i.e., Islamic Law.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Functions:<br />
The functions of the Bank are to participate in equity capital and grant loans
for productive projects and enterprises besides providing financial assistance
to member countries in other forms for economic and social development. The
Bank is also required to establish and operate special funds for specific
purposes including a fund for assistance to Muslim communities in non-member
countries, in addition to setting up trust funds. The Bank is authorized to
accept deposits and to mobilize financial resources through Shari'ah compatible
modes. It is also charged with the responsibility of assisting in the promotion
of foreign trade especially in capital goods, among member countries; providing
technical assistance to member countries; and extending training facilities for
personnel engaged in development activities in Muslim countries to conform to
the Shari'ah.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Membership<br />
The present membership of the Bank consists of 56 countries. The basic
condition for membership is that the prospective member country should be a
member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), pay its contribution
to the capital of the Bank and be willing to accept such terms and conditions
as may be decided upon by the IDB Board of Governors.<br />
<br />
In its 1440AH (2019 AD) Vision Document it clearly states: "As an Islamic
development bank, IDB needs to be driven by a vision of development that is
inspired by Islam. The Islamic vision of development has its roots in Religion
(Deen), and is heavily governed by Divine Law (Shari'ah), ethics and morality
(Akhlaq). It is predicated upon the premise that human beings are created by
God to fulfil a specific mission." IDB's vision states: "By the year
1440 Hijrah IDB shall have become a world-class development bank, inspired by
Islamic principles, that has helped significantly transform the landscape of
comprehensive human development in the Muslim world and helped restore its
dignity."<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Islamic Development
Bank's Disbursement Manual states as follows:<br />
"The Islamic Development Bank operates according to the Shari'ah
principles. Shari'ah is the set of rules derived from the Holy Quran, the authentic
traditions (Sunnah) of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the scholarly
opinions (Ijtehad) which are based on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. The
principles of Shariah that govern Islamic banking are the following:-<br />
- prohibition of interest (riba) in all financial transactions, such as: riba
in debts,<br />
riba in sales, including forward currency deals and futures exchanges.<br />
- Participation in profit and loss sharing, since return is not guaranteed in
an<br />
Islamic transaction."<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Disbursement Manuel
also states: "IDB does not borrow from the market and its operations are
sustained by share-holders capital, retained earnings and funds generated
internally through its foreign trade and project financing operations. The IDB
has no non-regional members. The IDB is an institution established by the
Ummah, for the Ummah and operated and managed by the Ummah. The IDB finances
trade and development projects both for the public and private sectors,
finances large and medium sized projects and small enterprises in the member
countries."<br />
<br />
There is no doubt that the Islamic Development Bank is a religious financial
institution dedicated to the promotion of Islam and Shariah-compliant finance
for the benefit of Muslims. It is ridiculous when apologists say otherwise. If
Nigeria were an Islamic country there would be no problem. But Nigeria is not
an Islamic country and it is not part of the "Muslim world". While
there are Muslim Nigerians, Nigerians are a multi-religious people and the
Nigerian state is constitutionally secular. So it cannot be OK for Nigeria to
be a member of IDB or to be seeking loans from it. Nigeria has no business with
IDB.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The erosion of Nigeria's
secularity has been insidious over the years such that many Nigerians do not
even notice it. The real issue here is POLITICAL ISLAM or ISLAMISM: the effort
to impose Islam and the Principles of Shariah in the political, social and
economic space of a country. For Islamists, religion should not be private to
the practitioner. The state and its organs must conform to Shariah Law. Some do
not even understand Islamism so naively think there is no danger when our state
institutions are allowed to promote Islam against other religions in the
country.<br />
<br />
Our Naira notes have Hausa words written not in our "abidi" anglicised
text, in which the language is written and taught in schools, but with Arabic
script. The insignia of the Nigerian Army similarly has Arabic writings. It was
Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who arrogantly went and enlisted Nigeria as a member of
the Organisation of Islamic Countries without the knowledge of his deputy at
the time, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe. Commodore Ukiwe lost his office
unceremoniously when he told journalists that he was unaware of Nigeria's
membership as the matter was never discussed how much more approved by the
Supreme Military Council. Nigeria became a member of the Islamic Development
Bank in 2005 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
One cannot help but wonder who Obasanjo was trying to impress by this unfortunate
move. I do not recall the National Assembly discussing the issue and giving its
approval for the appropriation of the country's investment in IDB's Share
Capital. Nigeria presently holds 7.69% of the bank's Paid-up Share Capital of
17.7826Billion Islamic Dinar or approximately US$ 27.32Billion as at 25th
November, 2011, making it the fourth largest shareholding after Saudi Arabia's
23.61%, Libya's 9.47% and Iran's 8.28% shareholdings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shariah was introduced
in some northern states contrary to the Nigerian Constitution. Sanusi Lamido
Sanusi introduced Malaysia-style Islamic Banking contrary to the Nigerian
Constitution and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. Sanusi also
made Nigeria a founding member of the International Islamic Liquidity Management
Corporation and invested US$5million in its share capital. Sanusi had also been
advocating that Nigeria should issue "Sovereign Sukkuk Islamic
Bonds". And now the Federal Government is seeking loans from the Islamic
Development Bank when we are not an Islamic country.<br />
<br />
No doubt, it is might be deemed to be civil and politically correct to close
one's eyes to these developments so as not to be seen as "intolerant"
and not be accused of being "Islamophobic". Some non-Muslim readers
may even reiterate the new mantra of "financial inclusion" as the
reason why Islamic Banking should not only be accommodated in the Nigerian
financial system but even promoted with state funds.<br />
<br />
Religion is a very important part of the discussion because of the unfortunate
role it plays in Nigeria's politics. It is actually the main tool being
exploited by many politicians for ascendancy to office both in the north and in
the south. Why was Gen. Ibrahim Babangida able to unilaterally make Nigeria a
member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries? Possibly because of the
fallacy that Muslims are in the majority in Nigeria? Why was a Governor able to
single-handedly breach the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
which he swore to uphold and declared Shariah in Zamfara State and even the
otherwise bold President Olusegun Obasanjo was intimidated not to challenge the
act in the Supreme Court? Because Zamfara State is seen as a "Muslim
State" since the majority of its indigenes is Muslim. Even the highly respected
Muslim former Chief Justice of the Federation, Late Justice Mohammed Bello,
declared that the introduction of Shariah was a contravention of the Nigerian
Constitution. But today, some other northern states are Shariah states and the
rights of other non-Muslim Nigerians are daily infringed there. Boko Haram has
taken the cause of Islamism to a new level: it is carrying on a Jihad bombing,
maiming and killing innocent people in the futile bid to make Nigeria an
Islamic state.<br />
<br />
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his fellow proponents of Malaysia-style Islamic
Banking in Nigeria and the entrenchment of the Islamic Development Bank's
Islamist Agenda in our nation are actually on a "Financial Jihad". It
is the continuation of the Islamist Agenda of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of
Sokoto and Premier of old Northern Region, who famously said he wants to dip
the Quran in the Atlantic Ocean and make Nigeria the estate of his Great
Grand-Father, Usman Dan Fodio. The objective is to make out Nigeria as an
Islamic country and ensure the imprint of Islam and Shariah Principles in the
Nigerian government, our institutions and the Nigerian financial system. Mallam
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is one person that has perfected the practice of Taqiyya:
Sacred Deception - the Islamic doctrine of deceit to defend and promote Islam;
deception which advances Islam which is not regarded as sin. He has deployed
the doctrine very well so far in his Jihadist activities. But not everyone is
deceived.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am against undermining
the nation's constitution and our secularity to advance Islam or Christianity
for that matter. We must defend Nigeria's secularity. We cannot and must not
continue to condone the deliberate actions of those whose agenda is to advance
Islam and portray us as an Islamic nation. No religion should be given
preference by the government in whatever way. If Nigeria must borrow, there are
numerous non-religious lending institutions around the world which do not have
a religious agenda like the Islamic Development Bank. If IDB is just about finance
as some think, why does its "Purpose" include to "foster the
economic development and social progress of member countries and Muslim
communities individually as well as jointly in accordance with the principles
of Shari'ah i.e., Islamic Law."? Do the World Bank, Africa Development
Bank, International Monetary Fund etc. have such an agenda?<br />
<br />
The Islamic Development Bank is about Political Islam and the funding of
projects is the bait to draw in poor nations looking for "cheap
money". Nigeria does not need Islamic Development Bank's loans,
interest-free or not, and its other greek gifts. We can do without Islamism's
financial agenda.<br />
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!<br />
<br />
Eghes Eyieyien<br />
6th April, 2012<br />
</span><a href="http://eghes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1e66ae; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://eghes.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-14592129050669455532014-08-14T00:52:00.002-07:002014-08-14T00:52:25.558-07:00THE 2014 NATIONAL CONFERENCE 'DRAFT CONSTITUTION'<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By James Pam</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Delegates
to the 2014 National Conference resumed plenary on Monday 11<sup>th</sup>
August, 2014 for the purpose of adopting their compiled recommendations and resolutions.
They had hoped that they would simply read through one neat document, cross the
‘<i>t</i>’s and dot the ‘<i>i</i>’s to ensure that the final compendium
to be presented to Mr. President accurately captures their decisions. However, what
they were confronted with was several documents which have generated such a
controversy among them that the entire could be jettisoned after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Three
documents were presented to delegates upon resumption. The first document is
the Conference Report proper, which is in two volumes; Vol. 1 has about 500
pages and Vol. 2 has about 900 pages. The second document is a ‘matrix’, in the
words of the Conference Secretary, Mrs. Gloria Azinge. As to be expected in a
matrix, it has been prepared in three columns; the first column contains the
current Nigerian 1999 Constitution provisions that affected by Conference
decisions; the second column contains the constitutional amendments recommended
by the Conference delegates, while the third and last column contains a fusion
of conference recommendations and the 1999 Constitution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
the absence of Conference Chairman and his deputy, Justice Idris Kutigi and
Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, respectively, Mrs. Azinge explained further by saying
that in order to make the work of delegates easier, the Secretariat had gone ahead,
extracted the third column of the second document, which is the fusion of the
existing constitution and the amendments proposed by the delegates, and produced
a another document titled, ‘Draft Constitution’. It is this third document and
the liberty taken by the Conference Secretariat to produce it that is causing
the hullabaloo and drawing flaks from some delegates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Azinge
was not finished yet. She added that the Secretariat had also produced the
fourth document, a draft Bill, which Mr. President will use to introduce the
amendments and alterations to the National Assembly, which could eventually
lead to the Fourth Amendment to the Nigerian Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
‘Draft Constitution’ immediately drew the ire of some delegates, especially
those from some parts of defunct Northern Region. On the NTA Good Morning
program today, 13<sup>th</sup> August, 2014, Prof. Auwalu Yadudu and Malan Tanko
Yakassai told anchor persons, Kingsley Osadolor and Claire Adelabu, and all
Nigerians that: (1) The Conference does not have Mr. President’s mandate to
produce a Draft Constitution: (2) Such a Draft Constitution has no legal basis because
the National Conference is not tantamount to a Constitutional Conference: (3) Delegates
would be overstepping their bounds if they prepared a Draft Constitution: (4) The
1999 Constitution provides that a new Constitution can only be introduced to
the floor of the National Assembly by the legislators themselves and nobody
else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Newspapers in the last 24 hours have
reported that a communiqué was read in Abuja on Tuesday, 12 August, 2014 by the
leader of some northern Conference delegates, former Inspector General of
Police, Ibrahim Coomassie. A picture embedded in one of the newspaper reports
has Coomassie flanked by former member of the House of Representatives,
Muhammed Kumalia, former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Gen. Jerry Useni,
one-time Senate President, Prof. Iyorchia Ayu, and others. Coomassie said that
the Draft Constitution was meant to legitimize President Goodluck Jonathan’s
third term agenda and that they objected to it. He said drafting a new
Constitution is ultra vires the functions and mandate of the National
Conference and that the group they were representing was dissociating itself from
the Draft Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
objections of these core northern delegates and their arguments are untenable.
At the inauguration of the National Conference on the 17<sup>th</sup> May,
2014, Mr. President said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let me at
this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a
referendum in the proposed amendment of the Constitution. This should be
relevant for this Conference if at the end of the deliberations, the need for a
referendum arises. I therefore urge the National Assembly and the State Houses
of Assembly to speed up the Constitutional amendment process especially with
regard to the subject of referendum.” The President was more visionary than
some people care to think. From inception, he envisioned the situation before
us today and was able to foresee its solution. Our elected legislators in the
NASS should play their part in this process honorably by making legal provision
for a referendum to take place and all will be well. This is what Mr. President
and other Nigerians ask of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was privy to email communications
between some delegates in which they made reference to a new
partnership that the National Conference has spurned between the three southern
geo-political Zones and the North-Central Zone. For lack of a better name, one
of the communications christened it the “Greater South”. The implication of
this new alliance is that four geo-political zones identified common progressive
grounds during the Conference debates, while two preferred to maintain the
status quo. Two-thirds majority of delegates are not just comfortable, but are
very happy with the Conference Draft Constitution. Should the one-third conservatives
have their way over the progressive and pragmatic majority? I dare say, no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What was the expectation of the
so-called “northern delegates” (minus those from the NC Zone, except for Gen.
Jerry Useni and Prof. Iyorchia Ayu, who are both in their geriatric cycle of
redundancy) when they were debating and reaching decision on constitution
matters for three months? Didn’t they realize that their decisions were meant
to be used to amend our Constitution? They should be happy that their work
coming into fruition even faster than they had thought and that their labor may
not be in vain after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Again,
in his inauguration speech on 17<sup>th</sup> may, 2014, Mr. President said,
“In inaugurating this National Conference today, we are not unmindful of the
argument of those who say that we do not need such a Conference since we
already have an elected Parliament and an elected Government in place. As
cogent as that argument may sound, I have chosen to act on the sincere
conviction that in the truly democratic nation we are striving to build, we
must never ignore the loudly expressed views of the majority of ordinary
Nigerians.” The views of majority of Nigerians have been loudly expressed in
the Conference ‘Draft Constitution’ through their delegates to the National
Conference and must not be ignored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the same inauguration speech, which was commented upon by all 492 delegates, the
President said, “The phrase in the preamble that says ‘We, the people’, has been variously criticized as being
misleading because. According to the critics, the Constitution was not written
by the people. There are also those who believe that the Constitution is
not our problem but the political will to faithfully implement it for the peace
and progress of Nigeria. While opinions on the matter can be as diverse as
rain showers, I believe that irrespective of our personal views on the issue,
no one can deny the fact that every Constitution is a living document that
needs to be revised and improved upon from time to time. The United States,
which is the model democracy in the eyes of many, has amended its Constitution
27 times since it was first adopted in 1787.” Mr. President, therefore,
expected delegates to present to him a revised Nigerian Constitution at the end
of their deliberations, provided they recommended enough amendments to the
existing one to warrant the drafting of a new one incorporating their
recommendations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
seize this opportunity to urge all well-meaning delegates to defend their work,
which is now embodied in the Conference ‘Draft Constitution’ and oppose their
colleagues who might want to kill it. If they don’t, they would be doing the
President and all Nigerians a great disservice. I would go as far as describing
the production of a Draft Constitution for Nigeria by the 2014 National Conference as its greatest
achievement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">James
Pam, 13 August, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="mailto:jamespam2004@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">jamespam2004@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-39282466906030151352014-08-09T03:28:00.000-07:002014-08-09T03:29:18.735-07:00FAILURES OF 2014 THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qFSjA1qOJ9gfWkI4v5tTuI7K7mZKnZgqY7wynq9RvXTZn1LCFEs5c7rrzJoWOk8x7A2LWXBOrXAp6vYAIvQkd9r3WaHSl_COVHlOwPEy6DtCBDv3DQqnj0GNkg630I91MBR8HjbMWZ7C/s1600/NAT+CONF+J+G+BUBA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qFSjA1qOJ9gfWkI4v5tTuI7K7mZKnZgqY7wynq9RvXTZn1LCFEs5c7rrzJoWOk8x7A2LWXBOrXAp6vYAIvQkd9r3WaHSl_COVHlOwPEy6DtCBDv3DQqnj0GNkg630I91MBR8HjbMWZ7C/s1600/NAT+CONF+J+G+BUBA.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picture: A cross-section of delegates at the 2014 National Conference</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">President Jonathan’s
National Conference has finally ended plenary sitting. What remains is the
technicality of appending signatures to the consolidated Conference Report,
which event is scheduled for 11<sup>th</sup> August, 2014. Thereafter, the
Report will be presented to the conference convener. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">When I told a friend that
I was writing an article on the failures of the Jonathan National Conference,
he asked if my post-mortem examination was not too early. I replied him that I </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">wasn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> doing a post- mortem job but a listing of what the Conference did not do.
Readers should please appreciate the difference as they read. Those who will
thoroughly analyze the Conference may find this article a good starting point
as they review the Conference agenda to assess if what was supposed to be done
was done. It is also my hope that Mr. President would be better informed by this
early commentary as he considers the final Report.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This article will
attempt to read in-between the events that transpired while the Conference
lasted. Identified gaps and newly created issues will be highlighted. The
actual decisions reached by conferees are not the main subject of discourse
here but what was omitted or created. Inductive reasoning shall be employed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">CONVENER’S OBSCURE INTENTIONS: The true intentions
of the convener of the Conference, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR,
have remained obscure right from the conception of the Conference up to the current
stage of development. He who was initially totally opposed to the idea of
holding any such conference surprised Nigerians when he announced that he would
convene one within weeks. The agitators of a Sovereign National Conference were
overjoyed while the skeptics and antagonists concluded that Mr. President had a
hidden agenda up his sleeves. How honest was the convener when he refused to
propose the conference agenda but asked the Okorounmu Committee to draw up one?
Instead of an agenda containing about a dozen key contentious issues, we ended
up with a 38-point unwieldy agenda with two-thirds of the items better left for
MDAs to fashion out. The released conference modalities and the modalities for
the emergence of delegates were so skewed to enable Mr. President to
remote-control the Conference that it further heightened the speculation that
the President had a sinister motive embedded in his Conference plans. But what
could these sinister motives be? Till date nothing is clear or certain. The
nearest we have come to understanding his game plan is an inkling that he might
be interested in ushering in a new constitution for the country based on the
conference decisions. This assertion has been informed by two events. The first
is his pronouncement that Conference decisions would be presented to him in the
form of a new draft constitution (which now looks unlikely). The second is the
Deputy Senate President’s attempt to surreptitiously smuggle a clause hitherto
not discussed into the final report of the Senate Committee on Constitutional
Review which he chaired. The aim of the
un-debated clause was to grant the President of Nigeria the constitutional
right to introduce a new Constitution for the country by way of an Executive
Bill to the Legislature. Was Senator Ekweremadu acting the script of Mr.
President? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MARGINALISATION OF MANY NIGERIANS IN
CONFERENCE COMPOSITION: The modalities for the emergence of delegates excluded
80% of stakeholders in the Nigerian project. Those who had been clamoring for a
National Conference for about twenty years were not recognized. Mr. President
personally nominated the following delegates, 37 Elder Statesmen, 6 Youths, 6
Judicial Officers/Federal Government and another 20 delegates; thus giving Mr.
President the opportunity to nominate a total of 69 out of 492 delegates. State
Governors and the FCT Minister nominated another 109 delegates according to
Nigeria’s Senatorial Districts. This means that a total of 178 delegates, about
40% of all the National Conference delegates, were nominated directly by Mr.
President, the 36 State Governors and the FCT Minister. Mr. President and State
Governors heavily influenced the nomination of delegates from among Traditional
Rulers, Retired Military & Security Personnel, Retired Civil Servants and
Political Parties. The combined effect of the foregoing is that Governments directly
or indirectly nominated about 80% of delegates who attended the Conference. Ethnic
nationalities who were in the forefront of the agitations for a conference were
allocated 90 slots, or 15 delegates for each of our 6 geo-political zones.
These 90 delegates were to be selected/nominated/elected somehow by the
‘stakeholders’. We all know now that State Governors hijacked the
selection/nomination/election process and simply hand-picked their cronies and
forwarded 90 names to the SGF’s office. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DOMINANCE OF THE PRESIDENT’S MEN: Though
the Senator Pius Anyim-released conference guidelines specified that conference
decisions shall be reached by consensus (100% agreement), delegates amended
this to 70%, which was not adhered to even once as all final conference decisions
were arrived by voice vote, which was not provided for at all in the conference
modalities. Is a majority voice vote tantamount to a 70% or more consensus? Why did delegates only
object to the voice vote procedure when it came to the Derivation Principle
decision? It is no wonder that newspapers are now saying some delegates are
planning to sabotage or scuttle the final Conference Report signing ceremony on
11 August, 2014. Was there consensus on all the issues decided upon? It doesn’t
appear there was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">TRAUNCY BY DELEGATES: Many delegates
played the truant school child during the Conference. Absenteeism among them
was rampant. We daily observed the empty seats with bold name tags without
their supposed occupants. Many final decisions were taken on Committee Reports
when less than 70% of delegates were at plenary sessions. Should such decisions
bind the millions of Nigerian who were under-represented by their un-elected
so-called delegates? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">COMPREHENSION OF ISSUES BY DELEGATES: Many
delegates did not comprehend the issues at stake. This could be deciphered from
many of them who were interviewed by media house after debates. Many displayed their
ignorance and incompetence. The last decision to be taken at the Conference to
the effect that the Federal Government should set up a Technical Committee to
handle the highly emotive 13% Derivation Principle proves this assertion. Among
the 492 delegates were men and women from all professional callings. Why did
the conference not deem it fit to constitute such a Technical Committee and
make the needed recommendation for amendment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">INABILITY TO SOLVE PRESSING NATIONAL
ISSUES: One monumental failure of the Conference was the abdication of its
responsibility to decide on the Derivation Principle. The conference
secretariat short-changed delegates by deciding not to allow a debate on the
issue. In short, what is going to be adopted as a final conference decision is
not a decision at all but an abdication. Nigerians were shocked to see watch
the Conference leadership impose a no-go area for conferees. The Derivation
Principle effectively became a no-go area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DELEGATES’ CONTRIBUTIONS: In terms of
individual contribution to the conference by delegates, we estimate that less
than 50% of delegates contributed meaningfully towards the final conference
resolutions. The inference from this is that it is likely that 492 was an
unwieldy number of delegates for such a conference. It is also likely that up
to 50% of the government-selected delegates were undeserving of the privilege
to be there. This is another dimension of corruption. Delegates for national assignments should
never emerge again in the manner the National Conference delegates emerged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NATIONALISM AND NATIONAL COHESION: Many
delegates claim that the national interest was the overriding logic in their
deliberation, but we find it difficult to agree. Every issue was viewed by
delegates either through religious prisms or through regional trick books or through
well-polished and sophisticated ethnic binoculars. May be the only exception to
this was the recommendation for the creation additional 19 States in the
country, which was a really nationalist decision, although the North-West and
North-East delegates opposed it. Recollect that the Conference proper was
preceded by a religious protest to the Convener led by the Sultan regarding the
‘lopsidedness’ in the faiths of delegates. The last impossible decision on
Derivation was aborted because the so-called ‘North’ insisted that the newly
recommended 5% Fund be restricted the NE, NW and NC zones. Nigeria’s greatest
stumbling blocks remain ethnicity, geography and religion. Shall we ever change
and become the nationalists that we always claim to be? The Conference failed
to change us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RE-STRUCTURING: The failure of the
Conference to achieve this most articulated progressive issue is another big
failure of the just-concluded conference. The South East, South South, South West and
North Central geo-political zones arrived the Abuja venue of the Conference
minds made up to demand the regionalization of the country into 6 Regions. Chief
Femi Fani-Kayode recently published an article titled, “Give me Oduduwa Region
or Nothing”. A South Eastern socio-political group has asked delegates from
their zone not to return home if they do not secure a recommendation for the
creation of a South Eastern Regional government. Everyone thought Professor
Jerry Gana would finally deliver a Middle Belt Regional Government to the
eternally oppressed Christians and minority tribes of the North Central zone. Alas,
the much-touted return to Regionalism and the Parliamentary system were not to
be. What happened? Only the North West and North East objected. Suddenly we
heard that the Lagos people said they couldn’t imagine themselves travelling to
Ibadan for decisions once again. They have made too much economic progress and Lagos
State autonomy is sweet. ‘Northerners’ said the days of the Kaduna mafia are
long over. Kaduna is no longer a power base or power symbol. Easterners claim
that they have invested too much in real estate, especially hotels, in Abuja to
be separated and legally confused by 6 new regional constitutions in the
country. It appears that the Middle Belt people are the true losers in the
failure to achieve a return to regionalism. Why did two-thirds of conference
delegates capitulate on such an important issue? How will the still unresolved
“Middle belt Question” be resolved? The actualization of the creation of the
Conference-recommended 18 (or is it 19 States, one in the SE plus 18 others) is
now the only hope for the liberation of the oppressed Middle Belt minority
groups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LEGAL STATUS OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
AND ITS DECISONS: The lack of an enabling legislation for the convocation of
the National Conference itself is one of its greatest undoing. The entire National
Conference might turn out to be one monumental waste of time and resources if our
National Assembly legislators have their way. They say that there is no provision
in our Constitution and Statutes books to accommodate the decisions of the
just-concluded Conference, and this is true. Similarly, there is no provision
for the much-touted referendum either. The un-cooperative legislators said they
will throw out the Conference Report whenever it is presented to them for
ratification. Why didn’t Mr. President first propose a Bill establishing a
National Conference Commission before convening his conference? We recollect
that many Nigerians advised him to do just that. Failure to have such legislation
in place could have spelt doom for the National Conference even before take-off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DEVOLUTION OF POWERS: The Conference
failed to devolve some of the vast legislative powers vested in the Federal
Government of Nigeria by the 1999 Constitution to its federating units, the
States. Many had hoped that the Conference would recommend the transfer of many
of the 68 items on the Exclusive Legislative List in the Second Schedule of the
Constitution to the Concurrent List which has just 30 items. Prominent
constitutional lawyers, including one of the authors of the 1999 Constitution,
Prof. Nwabueze, submitted suggestions for achieving this. In my opinion, items
such as Census, Commercial and Industrial Policies, Construction, alteration
and maintenance of roads, Creation of States, Fishing and Fisheries, Labour, Maritime
Shipping and Navigation, Pensions and gratuities, Police and other government
securities, Prisons, Public holidays, Quarantine, Railways, Service and
execution in a State, The formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages and
Trade and Commerce should better be on the Concurrent List. Mind you, the
Federal Government will still be able to legislate on them as the name
‘concurrent’ suggests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SIZE OF GOVERNMENT: Today we have a
federal government with 3 tiers of government, about 450 Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs), 36 State governments with their own 3 tiers of
government, State MDAs and 774 Local Governments. Recurrent expenditure is 70%
on the average across the country. Therefore, only 30% of government expenditure
is of capital benefit. The Conference failed to recommend a significant
reduction in the colossal size of our administrative apparatchik. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">EXCESSES OF STATE GOVERNORS: The
overbearing interference of State Governors in Local Government administration
should have been checked. Instead, conferees decided to ‘throw out the baby and
the bath water’. They recommended the scrapping of the LGs and States’
independent electoral bodies. What is the problem? The problem is that the
freedom of the Local Governments has not been guaranteed by our Constitution.
The Joint State/Local Government Account should have been recommended for
abolishment. Also, the constitutional provision that the development of Local
governments shall be determined by States should have been equally recommended
for abrogation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">SOCIAL ILLS: The many social ills
bedeviling our society were not addressed. Nothing substantial was recommended
towards ending our galloping governmental corruption, the huge and growing
economic dichotomy between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’, run-away
unemployment, diversification of our mono-product economy, deteriorating education
standards and growing security challenges. Majority of Nigerians are groaning
under the yoke of these ills and yet the Conference failed to address them. The
Ill-Gotten Gains Act recommended by the Conference will rely on the same
corrupt Nigerians to implement it ‘honestly’. If the Federal Character Principle
has been violated by officials with impunity in the past, then we should not
expect a different attitude toward the recommended Act. In the same vein, the Conference
recommendation for the establishment of a Religious Equity Commission will not
solve the problem of religious </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">favoritism</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and discrimination. However,
Conference recommendation that all Governments should stop sponsoring religious
pilgrimages, which amounts to about N350 Billion waste annually, is highly welcome.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">NOMADIC FULANI/FARMER CLASHES: This
issue was on the Okorounmu Presidential Advisory Committee’s suggested
conference agenda, yet it was not treated. Nomadic Fulani herdsmen are daily
clashing with their host communities all over the country. Fatalities from
these clashes are running into tens of thousands. A solution to this problem is
urgently needed. We cannot see any other solutions to the problem apart from
ending </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">nomad-ism</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, embarking on moves to settle the nomads on ranches where they
will practice integrated sedentary agricultural/animal husbandry. Land resource
has become scarce and too valuable for farmers to guarantee our ever increasing
numbers of nomads and their cattle eternal and unfettered access to it. Nomadic
Fulani people should not remain simply as floating Nigerian ‘citizens’ but must
be identified with by their States and Local Governments of origin and ‘indigeneship’
as is the case for all other Nigerians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FISCAL FEDERALISM: Called by different
names – resource control, revenue sharing Derivation Principle and fiscal
federalism – it was hoped that this vexing issue would be settled once and for
all by the Conference. However, delegates almost went physical on it as they
defended their regions or tribes or States at the expense of national interest.
In the end, Justice Kutigi, and his team of officials usurped the
responsibilities of the delegates by recommending that the issue be left to the
Federal Government to address via a Technical Committee. The question one can
ask is whether the Technical Committee will not be made up of Nigerians with
the same emotions as the delegates. Will Nigeria ever achieve true fiscal
federalism?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FREEING THE LAND USE ACT: Failure to
recommend the freeing of this piece of legislation from the Constitution is a
great shame. Why is the Land Use Act part and parcel of our Constitution
anyway? Amending the Act now requires a constitutional amendment. Parliament
should be able to amend it just as other statutes. Obtaining title to land and
the obnoxious Governor’s Consent to Mortgage as contained in the Land Use Act have
stood in the way of providing low-interest long-term funding for land development
and the use of land resource as loan collateral. Housing development has been
greatly hampered by the inability to quickly secure land title. Our housing
deficit today stands at an unbelievable 17 million with no solution in sight.
What a shame! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">James
Pam<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="mailto:Jamespam2004@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jamespam2004@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">01
August, 2014 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-28313040216478781182014-06-05T16:01:00.002-07:002014-06-05T16:01:42.218-07:00RENAME THE NORTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTH-SOUTH ZONES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW9qsKLsj3PXUHaFim3TsMzIobGfnFGB40l7HG0oHQJSjxZSR-gXSIRqPo5ImoRMVLyp5y8yLt0tZ7TWpPvQiT4M5fypOsDYkhoGdLhModg39N7gorEMG6eZLXmIc1L7qM5nuvcAIlO3S/s1600/Compass+rose+showing+the+four+cardinal+directions,+the+four+ordinal+directions,+plus+eight+further+divisions..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW9qsKLsj3PXUHaFim3TsMzIobGfnFGB40l7HG0oHQJSjxZSR-gXSIRqPo5ImoRMVLyp5y8yLt0tZ7TWpPvQiT4M5fypOsDYkhoGdLhModg39N7gorEMG6eZLXmIc1L7qM5nuvcAIlO3S/s1600/Compass+rose+showing+the+four+cardinal+directions,+the+four+ordinal+directions,+plus+eight+further+divisions..png" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A compass rose showing the 4 cardinal directions (written in largest letters), the 4 ordinal directions (written in medium-sized letters) and the 8 intercardinal directions (written in smallest letters).</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The naming of the six
geo-political zones of the country was not done in compliance with English
language syntax. ‘North-Central’ and ‘South-South’ are misnomers. This short
write up is intended to highlight the error in the two names and advice the
National Conference leadership and delegates to include in their final
recommendations new names for the two geo-political zones affected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The English language
has four cardinal directions – North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W),
four intercardinal (or ordinal or intermediate) directions – North-East (NE), North-West
(NW), South-East (SE) and South-West (SW). Between the cardinal and intercardinal
directions there are eight secondary-intercardinal directions, namely, North-North-East
(NNE), East-North-East (ENE), East-South-East (ESE), South-South-East (SSE), South-South-West
(SSW), West-South-West (WSW), West-North-West (WNW) and North-North-West (NNW).
The diagram attached of a Compass makes these sixteen directions clearer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As can be easily
noticed, ‘North-Central’ and ‘South-South’ directions are conspicuously absent.
They are absent because they do not exist, except in Nigerian non-standard
English coinage. Although ‘North-Central’ is in use in some parts of the United
States of America, that is the only exception to the rule. ‘South-South’ is not
used anywhere in the world as directional terminology except in Nigeria. The term ‘South-South’ is commonly used with
reference to any form of cooperation between two or more developing countries which
are to be found mainly in the southern hemisphere of our planet. For example,
there is South-south economic cooperation between Brazil and Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Standard English,
the South-South Zone should be called the DEEP SOUTH Zone while the
North-Central Zone should be called CENTRAL Zone or, as the people of the zone
prefer to be called, the MIDDLE BELT Zone. I therefore request that delegates
from the two affected Zones and/or the leadership of the National Conference propose
a motion for the adoption of these changes of names. It is also my sincere wish
that the change of names will come along with the restructuring of the country
into regional governments currently being canvassed for by the SW, SS, SE and
NC geo-political zones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Written by James Pam.</div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-83135988935636167912014-05-23T15:50:00.001-07:002014-05-23T15:50:20.650-07:00WHO KILLED TINA AND WHY?Miss Tina Akpan was a bubbling young teacher until 3:00 pm on May 20, 2014, when she was blasted into eternity by a faceless Boko Haramist's bomb in Jos, Plateau State. We are sad and angry at the senseless attack which consumed 75 innocent Nigerians. Who is Boko Haram and what does he want? Why doesn't he leave me out of it? The Nigerian Government has failed its people in the area of security of life and property. Heavenly Father, please come to our rescue in Jesus' name.<br />
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Late Miss Tina Akpan</div>
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<br />Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-84914050236987453152014-05-02T13:16:00.000-07:002014-05-02T13:16:07.374-07:00PRESIDENT JONATHAN, 'BRING BACK OUR GIRLS' CAMPAIGNPLEASE FOLKS, KEEP THE PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN UNTIL HE DOES WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO - BRING BACK OUR GIRLS ALIVE AND WELL.<br />
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<br />Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-43015700802267265342014-04-20T11:20:00.001-07:002014-04-20T11:26:54.310-07:00TO ALL NATIONAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES: OUR STAND<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE BELT INDIGENES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">NO. 31, TAFAWA BALEWA STREET, JOS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">08156495692, 08037200640, 08036901250, 08036731300<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="mailto:mbnations@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">mbnations@yahoo.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
07<sup>th</sup> March, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
TO ALL DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL
CONFERENCE<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>WISHES AND DEMANDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We have taken time to listen to
the yearnings and aspirations of the peoples of the six States that constitute
the North-Central Geo-political Zone with regard to the National Conference and
have articulated these for the guidance of all delegates. Also, their positions
on most of the 38 items recommended for discussion by the Senator Okorounmu-led
Presidential Advisory Committee are captured in this advisory. It is our sincere
prayer that God will use you to bring about the much-needed improvement to the
Nigerian body polity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>MOST PRESSING ISSUE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The issue of greatest concern to
the people of the NC Zone is the massive influx of Nigerians from all parts of
the country for the purpose of settling here. The NC Zone people do not object
to this, but two dangerous phenomena are accompanying this seemingly harmless
migration. The first one is the attempt by some of these newcomers to usurp the
aboriginal rights of the autochthonous people of the NC Zone by imposing their
traditional rulers over them and claiming other constitutional rights that they
shouldn’t. The second phenomenon is the rapid loss of title to ancestral land.
Without land, a people cease to be a people as history has taught us. In order
to check these trends, a political solution is needed. The political and fiscal
re-structuring of the country into federating units with reasonable autonomy
will make it possible to check these two trends. The adoption of true
federalism is what we recommend. This the belief of majority of Nigerians as
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Nigeria practiced true federalism
from Independence on 1<sup>st</sup> October 1960 until 24 May, 1966 when Gen.
J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi abolished the then four Regional Governments via Military
Decree No. 5 and removed the appellation of ‘Federal’ from our country’s name.
The Decree specified that the four Regional Constitutions had been abrogated
and that Nigeria would henceforth be called simply the ‘Republic of Nigeria.’ A
Unitary system of Government was thereby put in place. Without re-creating any
federating units, the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions returned the appellation of
‘Federal’ to our country’s name. We are therefore operating a false federal
system at the moment. Correcting this anomaly through restructuring the country
into a true federation will solve the Nigerian and Middle Belt political
question. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>TRUE FEDERALISM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Federalism has been defined as a
system of government in which two or more contiguous geographical regions agree
to exist as one republic. Each of the federating units usually has its own Constitution
through which it governs itself. However, a federal constitution exists which
is superior to those of the federating units. The Federal Government usually has
a fairly short exclusive legislative list and it retains authority over matters
like foreign policy, territorial integrity, military institutions, currency,
customs, immigration and the like.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The federating units usually decide
their administrative structures, developmental strategies, exploitation of natural
resources, but must contribute funds to the central government by way of taxes
and/or a share of revenue as specified in the federal Constitution. The
federating units each run their Police commands, educational institutions,
roads, Courts and they make their labour laws, traffic laws tax laws, etcetera.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We believe that the practice of
true political and fiscal federalism in line with the model briefly described
above would provide the NZ Zone people the political space and enabling
environment to enjoy their aboriginal rights as enshrined in United Nations
Charters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With this belief firmly in mind,
we propose that our delegates to the National Conference demand that Nigeria be
re-structured into 12 federating units. Some other Nigerians prefer the
conversion of the current 6 geo-political Zones into 6 federating units. We also
propose that the opportunity be used to adjust boundaries hitherto ambiguous or
contentious. Communities that prefer to be placed together should be allowed to
do so, instead of forcing people to share intimacies. Stakeholders should be
allowed to dialogue among themselves and come up with their preferred
boundaries as long as about equal-sized units are formed geographically and
population-wise. Sustainable peaceful co-existence would be guaranteed through
this arrangement. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>PROPOSED 3 FEDERATING UNITS (REGIONS) FROM THE NC ZONE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
An attempt would be made here to
place communities that have historical and cultural similarities together. The
communities affected should be allowed to fine-tune these proposals as they
might deem fit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>MIDDLE
BELT WEST REGION</b>: This would comprise of Kebbi State, Niger State, Kwara
State and all the LGAs in the Kaduna State Southern Senatorial District and
Chikun LGA in the Kaduna State Central Senatorial District. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>MIDDLE
BELT CENTRAL REGION</b>: This would comprise of the FCT, Kogi State, Nassarawa
State, Benue State and Plateau State.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>MIDDLE
BELT EAST REGION</b>: This would comprise of Taraba State, Adamawa State, Gombe
State, the 9 LGAs of Bornu State Southern Senatorial Zone and the 7 LGAs of
Bauchi State Southern Senatorial Zone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>BENEFITS OF EMBRACING TRUE FEDERALISM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->It will facilitate the devolution of some of the
enormous powers that the Federal Government presently enjoys a monopoly of.
Items on the Exclusive List like Prisons, Roads, Labour, Creation of States,
Railways, Mines and Minerals, Fishing and Fisheries, Aviation, etcetera, will
be transferred to the new regional governments, thus creating a leaner and less
expensive Federal Government with a unicameral parliament.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The over 250 aggrieved Middle Belt ethnic minorities
(who together constitute a majority in the defunct Northern Region) will be
able to embark on self-development programs and the economic exploitation of
their natural resources as opposed to the situation persisting since
Independence in which the people of the far north of the country monopolized
decision-making. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->This is the political solution that will surely
end the relentless armed attacks by nomadic herdsmen on Middle Belt communities
that have cost us thousands of precious lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Regional religions may be adopted in any Region
as desired instead of the country operating a pretentious secular nation. The
1999 Constitution’s ambivalence on freedom of religious practice in Sections 10,
38, 275,280 will be solved. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Federal character, indigeneship and quota system
enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, which many Nigerians hate, will cease to be
sources of conflict and discrimination. These will be retained and appreciated
better by all Nigerians.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The fierce and very expensive politicking
associated with Presidential elections in a unitary government will come to an
end as regional politics becomes more important to the populace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Militant insurgency creating security challenges
in the country will lose its relevance as regional governments satisfy their
people’s yearnings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Federal Government can concentrate on
protecting our territorial integrity and forging better foreign relations, instead
of the internal deployment of troops in pursuit of an ever evasive peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Regions can achieve faster development in areas of
natural endowment, thus diversifying the economy and promoting speedy economic
development in the entire country. Regions can concentrate economic activity in
areas they have comparative advantage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The much-desired State Police will come into the
new arrangement naturally. The present Nigeria Police will simply be handed
over to the new Regions while the Federal Government retains the other security
agencies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Greater control of resources by Regions will be possible.
This will require a re-negotiation of the Revenue Sharing Formula. In a federal
system contributions are made to the centre by all regional governments
according to natural endowment in order to maintain the Federal Government and
to support less endowed Regions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The yearnings of a majority of Nigerians will be
satisfied as we are aware that majority of the 6 geo-political Zones are
articulating similar proposals to this one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->13.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->FCT indigenous people will enjoy equal status
with other Nigerians in the Region they belong to as the FCT Law is abrogated.
They should not lose their ancestral lands. Any ethnic nationality that becomes
landless becomes homeless and dies. Mayoralty is not desirable for the FCT, but
State status.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->14.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The pre-Independence fears of Nigerian
minorities for which the Willink’s Commission was set up by the colonialists to
solve without success, would have been finally addressed and put to rest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->15.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The desire and agreement of the Nigerian people
to live with each other in diversity would have been solidified in a federal
system. There should be no mention of cessation by any section of the country
anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->16.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A cheaper unicameral National Assembly will
emerge and save the country money which can go into developmental projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">OUR POSITION
ON SOME OF THE 38 ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR DISCUSSION BY THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">S/N<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ITEM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">OUR POSITION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Political
Restructuring of the country: a. Political Federalism. b. Fiscal Federalism,
c. Definition of Federating Units: States or Geo-Political Zones<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">MERGE STATES WITH
SOME BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS INTO 12 SEMI-AUTONOMOUS REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, EACH
WITH ITS OWN CONSTITUTION IN TRUE FEDERALISM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Forms of
Democratic Governance: a. Presidential system. b. Parliamentary system; c.
Choice between Uni-cameral or Bi-cameral legislature; d. Choice between
full-time or part-time legislature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">PARLIAMENTARY
SYSTEM WITH UNI-CAMERAL LEGISLATURE IN BOTH FEDERAL AND REGIONAL HOUSES OF
ASSEMBLYS AND PART-TIME LEGISLATORS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Good Governance;
a. Cost of governance; b. Corruption and National Development; c. Fighting
corruption and anti-corruption agencies — ICPC, EFCC; d. Immunity of
political office holders; e. Citizenship/indigenes — Settlers dichotomy; f.
Justiciability of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of
state policy;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">EACH REGION TO SET
UP ANTI-GRAFT BODIES TOO. REMOVE IMMUNITY FOR ALL. RETAIN INDIGENESHIP IN
BOTH FEDERAL AND REGIONAL CONSTITUTIONS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Judicature: a.
Fundamental human rights; b. Impunity of judicial officers; c. Review of
judicial institutions; d. Sharia and Customary legal system; d. Delays in the
administration of justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">RESIDUAL – i.e.
REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT. INCREASE NUMBER OF JUDICIAL
OFFICERS AND COURTS. INTRODUCE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Democratization:
a. Deepening democracy; b. De-militarization of national psyche, c.
Democratic culture and orientation; d. Mechanisms for a more inclusive
participatory democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">REVIEW ELECTORAL
ACT SO THAT ALL ELECTIONS ARE HELD ON SAME DAY. INEC CHAIR TO BE APPOINTED BY
NJC (NOT THE PRESIDENT) IN LINE WITH THE UMWAIS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Political parties,
God-fatherism and the challenges of internal Democracy:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">MULTI-PARTY SYSEM
WITH NO LIMIT TO NUMBER OF PARTIES. DEREGISTRATION OF PARTIES THAT DO NOT
HAVE A SINGLE LEGISLATOR SHOULD BE STOPPED. LET NATURAL DEATH END THE LIFE OF
PARTIES.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">National Security
and Security Challenges: a Security Agencies: Review and re-design of
national security apparatus, b. Local Policing, c. Other security agencies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">State Creation and
Merger of States<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">MERGE STATES TO
CREATE 12 SEMI-AUTONOMOUS REGIONAL GOVTS WITH THEIR CONSTITUTIONS. BUT IF NOT
GRANTED THEN CREATE MORE STATES.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Education: a.
Investment in education; b. Decentralization and National Education policy;
c. Return of Missionary and Private schools to original owners; d.
Institutionalizing Tsangaya/Almajiri education system, e. Nomadic Education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">DECENTRALISE
EDUCATIONAL POLICY. RETURN ALL SCHOOLS TAKEN OVER FROM PRIVATE SECTOR. STOP
ALMAJIRI SCHOOLS OR VOTE EQUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS. GIVE
FREE EDUCATION TO ALL AT ALL LEVELS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Health: a. Health
Policy, b. Investment in Health, c. Healthcare Delivery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">GIVE FREE HEALTH
CARE TO THE ELDERLY AND INVALID.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Science, Technology
and Development: a. Science and Technology Education; b. Technological
Adaptations and the National Economy; c .Research and Development; d.
Promotion and Improvement of indigenous Technological innovations;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Restoring the
National Ethics, Morals and Core Values<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Religion,
Secularism and the Secularity of the Nigerian State<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">RECONCILE
AMBIVALENCE BETWEEN S.10, 38, 275 & 280 OF 1999 CONSTITUTION. THEY CLAIM
SECULARITY YET PROVIDE FOR SHARIA AND CUSTOMARY COURTS OF APPEAL. ALLOW
REGIONAL GOVTS TO DO WHATEVER THEY PREFER. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Agriculture, Food
Security and Rural Development; a. Decentralisation of National Agricultural
Policy; b. Grazing Reserves and Cattle Routes Demarcation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">WE REJECT GRAZING
RESERVES IDEA. NOMADIC HERDSMEN MUST SEDENTARIZE WITH GOVT HELP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(15)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Environment;
a. Environmental Degradation – flooding, soil erosion, oil spillage and
desertification; b. Climate change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(16)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Defence: a.
Nigeria’s defence policy and posture at home and abroad; b. The Nigerian
Armed forces and multi-lingual challenges; c. Nigeria and International
peace-keeping operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Tenure of Public
officials: President, Governors, etc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ONE TERM OF 6 YRS
FOR PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS RECOMMENDED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the challenges of conducting free
and fair elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">IMPLEMENT UWAIS
REPORT ON APPOINTMENT OF INEC CHAIRMAN.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Population and
Credible National Census;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">PAST CENSUS FIGURES
HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED. ALL FIGURES SKEWED TO FAVOUR SOME. ONLY SCIENTIFIC
SATELITE ESTIMATION TO BE USED AND CONFIRMED INDEPENDENTLY BY UN AGENCIES. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Land use Act;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">REMOVE FROM
CONSTITUTION AND AMEND TO RETURN ALL LANDS TO NIGERIANS. NO MORE GOVERNORS’
CONSENT TO MORTGAGE. ANYTHING TO PROMOTE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN VIEW OF 16
MILLION HOUSING DEFICIT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Role of
Traditional Rulers and Institution in governance at national and local
levels;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">NO SPECIAL
CONSTITUTINAL ROLE FOR TRADITIONAL RULERS. LET THEM CONTINUE DOING WHAT THEY
ARE DOING NOW. THEY ARE CUSTODIANS OF TRADITION AND NOT GOVT OFFICIALS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Economy: a.
Poverty and wealth creation; b. Productivity; c. Diversification of the
economy; d. Industries and Industrialisation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">PUT IN PLACE
LEGISLATION TO LIMIT CAPITAL BUDGET TO MIN 60% AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE TO
MAX 40% OF ANNUAL BUDGETS AT ALL GOVERNMENTAL LEVELS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(23)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Oil and other
Mineral Resources Management, Exploration and Sharing mechanism;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">DERIVATION
PRINCIPLE TO BE EXTENDED TO SOLID MINERALS PRODUCERS. NEGOTIATE NEW REVENUE
SHARING FORMULA. CREATE SOMPADEC FOR SOLID MINERALS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(24)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Revenue Generation
and Mobilization<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC);<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">INTRODUCE BASIC
MILITARY TRAINING & WEAPONS HANDLING. EXTEND PERIOD OF SERVICE TO 2
YEARS. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Gender issues;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">PROVIDE FREE &
COMPULSORY EDUCATION TO THE GIRL CHILD UP TO THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(27)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Youth Unemployment
and Development issue;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">CONTINUE WITH
YOUWIN SCHEME. BANKS TO GRANT LOANS TO GRADUATES FOR BUSINESS WHILE THEY
DEPOSIT THEIR CERTIFICATES.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(28)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Physically
Challenged Persons and National Development;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ESTABLISH GOODWILL
INDUSTRIES WHERE INVALIDS ARE EMPLOYED. GIVE THEM FREE EDUCATION AT ALL
LEVELS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(29)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Investment in
Sports<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(30)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Boundary
adjustment;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">SET UP COMMISSION
TO LISTEN TO ALL DEMANDS FOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(31)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">National inland
waterways issues;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(32)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Elective Mayoralty
Administrative/Legislative Structures for FCT, Abuja<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">WE REJECT MAYORALTY
FOR THE FCT. GIVE IT FULL STATE STATUS AND MERGE IT WITH PROPOSED MIDDLE BELT
CENTRAL REGIONAL GOVERNMENT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(33)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Special status for
Lagos;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">YES. INTERNATIONAL
TRAFFIC AT PORTS AND BORDERS & LARGE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS IN LAGOS MEAN
MORE DEMAND ON STATE FAVILITIES AND RESOURCES. LAGOS THEREFORE QUALIFIES FOR
SPECIAL STATUS FUNDING. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(34)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Unsettled issues
of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970);<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(35)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Revising Bakassi;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(36)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Languages and
Language Policy;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">IT IS
DISCRIMINATORY TO ALLOW ONLY IGBO, HAUSA AND YORUBA AS OFFICICAL LANGUAGES
WHEN WE HAVE OVER 380 OTHERS. ALL LANGUAGES SHOULD BE ALLOWED PLUS AN INPRETATER
TO ENGLISH SHOULD BE THE LANGUAGE POLICY.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(37)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Pension Matters
and Rights of Senior Citizens;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">SENIOR CITIZENS
MUST BE PUT ON SOCIAL WELLFARE AND ENJOY FREE MEDICAL CARE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .45in;" valign="top" width="43">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(38)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 286.8pt;" valign="top" width="382">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Federal Character<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">TO BE RETAINED AT
FEDERAL LEVEL WHILE REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS OBSERVE REGIONAL CHARACTER.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We wish you very fruitful
deliberations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yours sincerely,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\Rev Pam\Documents\ASOMBIN SIGNATURES.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 282pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 452.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="ASOMBIN SIGNATURES" src="file:///C:\Users\REVPAM~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For: <b>ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE BELT INDIGENES</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Hon. Da Toma
Jang Davou Nde Phillip Gompang Comrade
Pius Attah <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Chairman Org. Secretary Treasurer <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
(Plateau State) (Plateau
State) (Benue
State)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b> </b><b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Barr. Sam
Abimiku Rev.
James Pam Barr.
Shanka G. Andrew<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Legal Adviser (1) Secretary Legal
Adviser (2)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
(Nassarawa State) (Plateau
State) (Gombe
State)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Barr.
Emmanuel Yavala Barr. Sule Kwasau </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Finance Committee Logistics
Committee<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
(Taraba State) (Kaduna
State) <span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-83225564685238317102014-01-29T14:18:00.001-08:002014-01-29T14:18:29.182-08:00THE POLITICAL QUESTION OF THE MIDDLE BELT OF NIGERIA<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.5in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b>THE POLITICAL QUESTION OF THE MIDDLE BELT: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>THE PLACE AND PLIGHT OF THE PRESENT CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM
MINORITIES (CMM) <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>OF THE NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA IN NIGERIAN
POLITICAL EQUATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>A MEMORANDUM <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>SUBMITTED BY PROFESSOR YUSUFU TURAKI*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 13, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>*Yusufu
Turaki is a Professor of Theology and Social Ethics. He obtained his Ph.D. in
Social Ethics from Boston University, USA in 1982. He has authored many books
and articles, among which are: <i>The British Colonial Legacy in Northern
Nigeria: A Social Ethical Analysis of the Colonial and Post-Colonial Society
and Politics in Nigeria (1993); Tainted Legacy: Islam, Colonialism and Slavery
in Northern Nigeria</i> (2010); “Historical
Roots of Ethno-Religious Crises and Conflicts in Northern Nigeria” (2013). <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="FR">Mobile: +2348026268546<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="FR">E-Mail: byturaki@yahoo.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Address :
JETS, P.O. Box 5398, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.</b><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Purpose of this Memorandum<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>The
primary objective of this Memorandum is to present and state the political
question of the Middle Belt and as well as to define the place and plight of
the present Christian-Muslim Minorities (CMM) of the Northern States of Nigeria
in the Nigerian political question. The National Dialogue/Conference should
make this political issue a national priority. It has become the only political
issue remaining to be resolved as the only Regional Minority Groups that are yet
to be liberated and emancipated from the dominant yoke of the ideology and
idolatry of NORTH-ISM. The political, social, economic, cultural and religious problems
and issues of the peoples of the Middle Belt have remained unresolved because
of the intransigence of the dominant political class and elites of Northern Nigeria.
They and their ideology and idolatry of NORTH-ISM are strongly opposed to any
political liberation and emancipation of the peoples of the Middle Belt. This
domineering and hegemonic political culture and posture is being held
tenaciously and viciously in spite of the good historical examples from the
West and East of Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
Minorities of the then Western Nigeria were carved out in 1964 as Mid-West
Region by the First Republic. The Minorities of the then Eastern Region (Ogoja,
Calabar and Rivers [COR]) were carved out in 1967 as Cross Rivers and Rivers
States were created by the Military. Later in 1996 the Military merged Mid-West
and Cross Rivers and Rivers States to form South-South Zone. The creation of
the three Zones in the North, North-West, North-Central and North-East was a continuity
of the colonial political mathematics calculated solely to undermine the
political aspirations and self-determination of the peoples of the Middle Belt
from a complete domination and servitude to the political class and elites of
NORTH. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>NORTH-ISM
is both an ideology and idolatry which the political class and elites of
Northern Nigeria worship. This is a doctrine which has been formulated and it seeks
to defend, project, promote and protect the imaginary interests of the NORTH.
In national politics, it knows no other thing or no one, except its god,
NORTH-ISM. The peoples of the Middle Belt, whether Christians or Muslims or
otherwise, have heard and had NORTH-ISM drummed into their ears and to many
this has numbed their hearts and seared their consciences and dulled their sense
of justice, equity, self-determination and freedom. The invoking of NORTH-ISM as
both ideology and idolatry upon the peoples of the Middle Belt is a
confirmation of their inferior status and socio-political role within the
political schemes and stratagems of NORTH-ISM. NORTH-ISM is a ruse for
deceiving political enemies and the peoples of the Middle Belt. In political
circles, one often hears that “There is nothing called Middle Belt.” But when
it comes to the distribution of political rewards, statuses, resources and
values, such are the exclusive reserves for the “Superior Northerners.” The
NORTH is ONE in all matters pertaining to anything that qualifies as North
versus South, but at home, the geo-political entity called NORTH, we Masters
and Servants, feudalistic and clientele system. Any human being who sincerely
fears God, his/her heart would be ruled by God’s eternal principles of justice,
righteousness, love, kindness and humility. But the historical and empirical
evidences show that the peoples of the Middle Belt have been subjugated,
subordinated and dominated by the Northern political class and elites. We, the
peoples of the Middle Belt, all that we see coming from them is the domineering
and disdainful spirit that bears the fruits of discrimination, prejudice,
preferential treatment, bias, stereo-typing and marginalization. As a whole,
this is what NORTH and NORTH-ISM means for the peoples of the Middle Belt. Based
upon this superior-inferior and dominance-subordination relationships, who is
that person(s) that is(are) so undemocratic and ungodly in their thinking as to
deny the peoples of the Middle Belt their quest for full political freedom and
rights. All these freedoms and rights are imbedded and rooted in their inalienable
ethnic nationality. Empire Builders of Northern Nigeria have over the decades
manipulated the ethnic nationality of the peoples of the Middle Belt as to give
advantage to one ethnic group over the other. For this reason, this Memorandum
calls for the liberation and emancipation of the peoples of the Middle Belt
through their inalienable ethnic nationalities. For this National Conference to
fulfill the aspirations of all well-meaning Nigerians, the ethnic nationalities
should be given the opportunity to tell Nigerians what the Empire Builders who created
Nigeria did to them historically, socially, religiously, economically and
culturally. The Northern political class and elites who have benefitted from this
artificial creation of Nigeria’s geo-political boundaries as done by the Empire
Builders would fight tooth and nail to scuttle such a thing as this National
Conference. Or, would want the ethnic nationality be stroke out of the National
Conference. This political and social variable cannot be set aside by any
elitist or hegemonic fear or anxiety. The National Conference would only be a
Referendum for the political class and elites, if the question of ethnic
nationalities should be kept aside as some of them are agitating and demanding.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>We also
need to state our historical reason for this Memorandum. The British Colonial
Maters, the First Republican politicians and the Military Regimes and soldiers unfortunately
compromised, undermined and suppressed the political aspirations and self-determination
of the peoples of the Middle Belt. Can the present dispensation and the
National Conference be bold enough and be willing tools in the hands of God and
justice to liberate and emancipate the peoples of the Middle Belt. The
justification for this historical aspiration and quest is the glaring fact and
act of the continuity of the inherited unjust pre-colonial, colonial and
post-colonial structures of domination, subordination, subjugation and
discrimination against the peoples of the Middle Belt. The real issue is not
for anyone to seek to demand evidences of such, as they are very good
rationalization if issues and self-defense, but the act of a political will and
justice which grants political freedom to ethnic nationalities who demand them,
regardless. The political mathematics of ethnography, geography and population
in Zonal, State and Local Government creations has been the potent tool which
Empire Builders and the political class and elites have used to cage the
peoples of the Middle Belt and kept them perpetually in servitude to
“Monolithic North.” Under “Monolithic North” the peoples of the Middle Belt are
at best second class citizens or <i>dhimmis</i> within a clientele and masters-servants
relationships. Today, the peoples of the Middle Belt form the Christian-Muslim
Minorities of the Northern States of Nigeria. For this reason, their voices,
aspirations and self-determination should be heard by all Nigerians and not
that of their acclaimed surrogate voices that issue from the ideology and
idolatry of NORTH-ISM. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>From
historical experience and reality, NORTH is not monolithic. The Middle Belt has
well over 250 ethnic groups, languages and their dialects. Therefore, NORTH is
multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious. We have the Core North
(Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri). Hausaland consists mainly of Hausa and Fulani. This
part of Nigeria can form a North-West Zone in the New Nigeria which should
consist of only the Hausa and the Fulani. The Kanuri and their related ethnic
groups can form the North-East Zone as well in the New Nigeria. Both the
North-West and the North-East should not have any ethnic nationality append or attach
to them. While the Middle Belt being the largest region with many ethnic
nationalities can be divided into Middle Belt-West and Middle Belt-East. As for
the ethnic nationalities, the ethnic boundaries of the peoples of the Middle
Belt were well defined by the British Colonial Maters and other anthropologists
and such ethnographic maps still exist. Each ethnic nationality can describe
its own ancestral land. The task for the National Conference is to demarcate justly
and make clear distinctions of both the ethnography and geography of the
peoples of the Middle Belt from that of North-West and North-East Zones as
defined above. Politics of freedom and self-expressions go hand-in-hand with
specific defined land and boundaries. As at present, the conglomerates of the
ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt do not have specific and defined ethnic
political boundaries. Without this being done, they remain politically weak and
it is on this grounds that the political class and elites of the Northern
Nigeria seek to extend and hold on to the land-mass of Northern Region. There
is no political power and control where there is not defined land-mass that
creates a geo-political entity. The Northern political class and elites claim
the geo-political land-mass of the peoples of the Middle Belt as theirs which
is politically wrong. Herein lies the political stronghold of the peoples of
the Middle Belt. The <i>Sharia</i> Debates are all about land. So also is the <i>Boko
Haram </i>insurgency. In politics what matters most is ethnicity (ethnography)
land (geography). The National Conference is the only best forum for the ethnic
minorities of the North to discuss the politics of ethnicity and land. Any
politics that for the Middle Belt that does include these two primordial social
factors is not real and genuine politics for them. The Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri
have had their ethnicity and land well defined and they do Nigerian politics
based upon their own self-understanding of who they are ethnically,
territorially, religiously and culturally. It is this primordial
self-understanding that they impose upon peoples of the Middle Belt. It is only
a fool who allows other to define who he/she is. The Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri
who come to the National Conference, he/she does so with his/her
self-understanding well rooted in primordial social factors of ethnicity,
territory, religion and culture. They stand upon this primordial social
foundations and call the peoples of the Middle Belt that they dare not bring
their own ethnicity, territory, religion and culture into national debate. This
is blatant political hypocrisy which the peoples of the Middle Belt should
never accept. Up to this moment, Nigerian politics has not given the ethnic
nationalities of the Middle Belt to define themselves ethnically,
territorially, religiously and culturally. This is blatant political injustice
and discrimination. All Nigerians know who is a Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri,
Bini, Ijaw and all in terms of their ethnicity and ancestral land and
territory. But who is a Middle Belter? First his ethnicity is not defined by
Nigerian politics. Secondly, his ancestral land and territory are also not
defined by Nigerian politics. Similarly, he is never defined by religion or
culture, but seen as one who borrows religion and culture.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>From the
foregoing, we can state that the many analyses of Northern Nigeria, whether of
its ethnicity, religion, culture, politics, economics, or geography, have
always failed to address the political question of the Middle Belt in Nigerian
politics. The Middle Belt of Nigeria today consists mainly of the
Christian-Muslim Minorities (CMM). The Empire Builders, the Sokoto Caliphate
and the Sultanate of Kanem-Borno and the British Colonial Administration have
all failed in creating a viable and conducive political and social environment
for the well-being of the CMM who reside in the Middle Belt of Nigeria. These
Empire Builders created artificial political, social, religious and economic
boundaries that grossly denied the CMM of the present Northern States of
Nigeria their political rights and freedoms. When the British gave all
Nigerians their political independence in 1960, in Northern Nigeria, the instruments
of political power fell on the shoulders and laps of the political class and
elites. The CMM of the Northern States of Nigeria have been kept under a
perpetual internal colonialism as the subordinate subjects of the ideology and
idolatry of NORTH-ISM. The time has come for all Nigerians to rise up and speak
with one voice for the liberation and emancipation of the peoples of the Middle
Belt of Nigeria. This is one of the major tasks that await this long awaited
National Conference. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The rest
of this Memorandum is an explanation of what the Empire Builders have done to
the peoples of the Middle Belt. We need to state very briefly how the Empire
Builders created the present Middle Belt problem and the plight of the CMM in
national politics. We also need to state how the political class and elites,
the politicians and the soldiers have treated the political question of the
Middle Belt and the plight of Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern
States of Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Historical Preamble and Answer <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
answer to the political question of the Middle Belt and the present plight of
the Christian-Muslim Minorities (CMM) of the Northern States of Nigeria is <i>historical.
</i>We have the responsibility to explain what happened to the peoples of the
Middle Belt historically. Something drastic really happened to them as the
circumstance of history and providence fell upon them. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Empire Builders<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
Empire Builders that changed the destiny of the peoples of the Middle Belt
were:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Islam: Sokoto Caliphate and the Sultanate of Kanem-Bornu; <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->British Colonialists; <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Christianity (Missionaries); <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Politicians and Soldiers.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
above Empire Builders institutionalized the inferior status and the
socio-political role of the peoples of the Middle Belt by using their primordial
social factors.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->African Traditional Society<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
African Traditional Society of the peoples of the Middle Belt received the
following external inputs and influences which changed and transform them into
what they are today as the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States
of Nigeria:
<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Agency FB","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Agency FB"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Agency FB";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Islam and its Legacy and Muslim
Rulers <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Agency FB","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Agency FB"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Agency FB";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->British
Colonialism and its Legacy and the Colonialists <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Agency FB","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Agency FB"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Agency FB";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Christian
Missions and their Legacy and the Missionaries<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Agency FB","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Agency FB"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Agency FB";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Politics
and its Legacy and the Political Class and Elites<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Agency FB","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Agency FB"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Agency FB";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Military
Regimes and their Legacy and Soldiers<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>There were four fundamental primordial social factors
which the Empire Builders transformed and changed:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Ethnography (ethnicity,
history and identity);<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Geography (land and
territory);<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Religion;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Culture.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The historical formation of the political question of the
Middle Belt and the present plight of Christian-Muslim Minorities of the
Northern Sates of Nigeria are rooted in the policies, administrative practices
and attitudes of the above mentioned Empire Builders which manipulated, transformed
and changed their primordial social factors (ethnography, geography, religion
and culture) of the peoples of the Middle Belt of Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Muslim
Rulers and the Jihad <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The <i>Jihads </i>of Sokoto Caliphate and Sultanate of
Kanem-Bornu extended the influence of Islam and Muslim Rulers to some parts of
the Middle Belt. This influence was basically carried out through trade in
commodities and the slave raiding and slave trade which was carried out by the
Muslim<i> Jihad</i>. There were no permanent boundaries created then as the
conquered could rebel at any time and change the political landscape. It was at
the arrival of the British Colonialists that colonial boundaries were drawn to
the advantage of the Muslim rulers. The Middle Belt areas then were considered
in Islam as the “Abode of War.” Jihad
was the most powerful instrument that Muslims rulers used to extend their
influence into some parts of the Middle Belt. This historical fact has
generated the latent hostility between the peoples of the Caliphate and
Sultanate and the peoples of the Middle Belt. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The Hausa and Fulani settled in some parts of the Middle
Belt as traders and pastoralists. The Hausa settlements were called <i>zongos. </i>The
Hausa and the Fulani did not integrate or assimilate with the aborigines of the
Middle Belt, but remained distinct and different. The British colonialists
created out of the Hausa <i>zongos</i> emirates and districts and subordinated the
aborigines to Muslims rulers of those enclaves or <i>zongos</i>. This was a
mode of internal colonialism under British rule, the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri
were allowed to colonize the peoples of the Middle Belt even beyond the <i>Jihadic
</i>borders and in consequence imposed their religion, culture and political
hegemony and dominance over the peoples of the Middle Belt. This historical
fact also has generated the latent hostility between the peoples of the
Caliphate and Sultanate and the peoples of the Middle Belt. Hence, the
necessity of the National Conference to redress this historical social and
political injustice meted by the Colonial System against the peoples of the
Middle Belt. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->British
Colonialists and Indirect Rule<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Within three years, between 1900 and 1903, the British
defeated the Sokoto Caliphate and the Sultanate of Kanem-Bornu and imposed
British rule over them. But it took the British many more years to pacify the
peoples of the Middle Belt. However, the British imposed Indirect Rule over the
entire Northern Protectorate of Nigeria and used Muslim rulers as their Junior
Partners to help them rule the non-Muslim groups that were brought under their
jurisdiction. In consequence, many ethnic nationalities were subordinated to
the rule of Muslim Rulers. The British institutionalized their inferior status
and socio-political role in the British Colonial North. The British used racial
and ethnic theories as means of classifying ethnic, cultural and religious
groups. As a result, British colonialism sowed the seeds of latent hostility
between the peoples of the Caliphate and the Sultanate, on the one hand and the
peoples of the Middle Belt, on the other. The major crises and conflicts in the
North are rooted in this unjust colonial arrangement. This historical fact has
generated latent hostility between the peoples of the Caliphate and Sultanate
and the peoples of the Middle Belt. The only cure of this and many more causes
of latent hostility between the peoples of the Middle Belt and the political
class and elites of Northern Nigeria is for the National Conference to hear the
cries of the ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The British defeat of both the Caliphate and the
Sultanate historically meant that they have become defunct and extinct Empires.
On the First of October 1960, the British handed political freedom to all
Nigerians. For this reason, no Nigerian should be placed under any yoke of
colonialism or internal colonialism. No any ethnic nationality should be
subjected to any supposedly historical overlord. But the truth is that the
northern political class and elites have surreptitiously and through the
manipulations of the political systems, imposed themselves presently over the
Christian-Muslim Minorities through the ideology and idolatry of NORTH-ISM.
They invoke ONE NORTH and ISLAM as instruments of dominance, subjugation and
servitude over the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States of
Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The British Colonial North was characterized by:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Pattern
of superiority-inferiority relationships between the North-West Zone (Hausa and
Fulani) and North-East Zone (Kanuri and related others), on the one hand and
the peoples of the Middle Belt, on the other;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Pattern
of dominance-subordination relationships between the two broad people groups
and regions;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Pattern
of politics of inequality, domination, discrimination and exclusion between two
broad people groups and regions;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Stratified
inequality and social hierarchy between the two broad people groups and regions.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>These colonial inherited unjust political structures were
never corrected by the post-independence political class and elites and the
military, but became manipulative and calculative in entrenching their ethnic
nationality and religion. The plight of the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the
Northern States of Nigeria is rooted in those structural and stratified
inequalities of the Colonial System. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>E.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The
Political Class and Elites and NORTH-ISM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Under both Civilian and Military Regimes, the politicians
and the soldiers took advantage of the colonial geo-political boundaries and
used them unjustly to suppress, oppress and subjugate the peoples of the Middle
Belt to their overlords, the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri. They did that with
impunity under the cloak of ONE NORTH and ISLAM. They intimidate and infuriate
the peoples of the Middle Belt with the antics of NORTH-ISM. The whole concept
of NORTH is an artificial creation of the Empire Builders. It does not
represent the aspirations and self-determination of the peoples of the Middle
Belt. The political class and elites use the concept because it gives them a
wider land-mass and the population factor for political bargaining power and the
position of strength in Nigerian politics. NORTH-ISM stands for One Indivisible
North and Dominant Islam and for this reason, this political class would always
use political geography to advocate for Northern, religious, State and Local
Government representations. All along, they have manipulated the instruments of
Governments and the Military to keep North as One Indivisible Entity which
already has colonial contrived geo-political boundaries, bogus population and
numerous States and Local Governments to their advantage. They are vehemently
opposed to ethnic nationalities to be included in the National Conference. But
this is the only best way of liberating and emancipating the Christian-Muslim
Minorities of the Northern States of Nigeria from their political claws and
fangs. They cannot deny the peoples of the Middle Belt the necessity of
defining their ethnicity, ancestral lands, religions and cultures. NORTH-ISM is
both an ideology and idolatry that the Northern political class and elites
worship. This ideology and religious factor inflame a very strong sentiment and
resentment against any political move that would bring political liberation and
emancipation to the peoples of the Middle Belt. This is the political obstacle which
the National Conference should address as it is a very big barrier to national
unity, transformation and development.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>F.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The
Military and the Political Question of the Middle Belt<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The Military Regimes that were dominated by Northerners
liberated some of the remaining Ethnic Minorities in the South, but refused to
liberate Christian and Muslim Minorities of the Northern States. In both State and Local Government creations,
they appended or annexed some Christian-Muslim Minorities to the peoples of the
North-West and North-East Zones. While in the Middle Belt areas, they ensure
that the peoples of the North-West and North-East were empowered to hold
political and economic powers even where they are a minority in the Middle
Belt. The Empire Builders, the politicians and the soldiers who controlled the
instruments of political and economic powers have the advantage of ensuring
that the peoples of the Middle Belt are not liberated or emancipated. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>From the forgoing, it is therefore
incumbent for the National Conference to both know and understand the full
meaning of the primordial human values such as ethnicity, land, religion and
culture and how the Empire Builders used them to create conflict generating
structures and the attitudes of stereotypes, biases and prejudice that exist
between the peoples of the North-West and North-East (Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri)
and the peoples of the Middle Belt. The peoples of the Middle Belt under
NORTH-ISM have to contend, cope and tolerate the attitudes of discrimination,
preferential and differential treatment.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The National Conference needs to investigate
the historical activities of the Empire Builders as roots of the political
question of the Middle Belt and the plight of Christian-Muslim Minorities of
the Northern States of Nigeria. This includes using colonial maps and district.
There are cases of historical fraud and distortions and the writings of
pseudo-histories that generate conflicts, crises and mutual distrust that denied
or suppressed the authentic histories of the people of the Middle Belt. Such
fabricated histories, ethnographies, ethnic nationality boundaries and claimed
ownership of subjects and slaves should be investigated and true political and
religious freedom and rights be given to every ethnic group and Nigerian. No
Nigerian or an ethnic group should be made subject to any ethnic group or
Nigerian. Nigerians cannot use democratic instruments of politics to created
despotism and impunity as we have historically witnessed in the Middle Belt. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Aspirations and Demands of the Peoples of the Middle
Belt<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
aspirations and demands of the peoples of the Middle Belt in this current
dispensation are briefly stated as follows:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The need to restore their political and cultural
independence;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->No ethnic nationality should be placed under any suzerain
based upon flimsy historical claims of masters-servants relationships either by
war or association; <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The need for each ethnic nationality to be given the opportunity
and freedom to define itself within the Nigerian politics;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The need to free every person or ethnic nationality from
the nauseating, irritating and provocative ideology and idolatry of NORTH-ISM;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>E.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The need for Nigerians to listen only to the leaders of the
peoples of the Middle Belt and not from their protagonists or distracters; <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>F.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The need for the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri not to speak on
what specifically affects the ethnicity, land, religion and culture of the
peoples of the Middle Belt;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>G.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The need for full political participation of the ethnic
nationalities of the Middle Belt and not the continuity of colonial politics of
representation. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>The
British colonized every ethnic nationality in Nigeria, first by conquering and
subduing them. This historical fact stands against any person or ethnic
nationality that claims suzerainty over another ethnic nationality. The
political independence was handed over by the British to all Nigerians,
regardless of their historical backgrounds. Nigerian Independence was not a
restoration of the Caliphate, Sultanate or any Kingdom, but political freedom
for all Nigerians, regardless. It is so strange to see even in our contemporary
times a deep seated injustice and ungratefulness for one who was humiliated by
defeat in war, but was later granted a political freedom from his colonial
masters. But this same fellow, who was defeated, colonized and later set free,
would not even consider this moral maxim, but would adamantly and arrogantly
turn to his slaves of yester-years by closing his eyes and heart unashamedly
against them. Because he still says to the peoples of the Middle Belt, you are still
my bond servants and my subjects. This is exactly what had happened in Northern
Nigeria. The conquered Caliphate and Sultanate were granted political freedom
by the British on First October 1960 along with all Nigerians. The same people
today in post-colonial Nigeria are still talking about their conquered subjects
and would shut their eyes at British favours on them and without shame are
proud to call some ethnic nationalities as their subjects and slaves. Some of
them still make such bogus and unfounded claims that those who were conquered
before the British colonialism are indeed still their subjects. Such a view is
unacceptable in any modern democracy today, especially in modern Nigeria. Such
retrogressive and primordial thinking is an outmoded value of the <i>jahiliya </i>period.
Nigerians cannot condone or accept the fact that in Nigeria there are some
ethnic nationalities that are subjects to other nationalities. Only the
National Conference can address this serious socio-political issue within
Northern Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>IV.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Christian-Muslim Minority (CMM) of the North in
National Politics<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>We need
to define the political experience of the Christian-Muslim Minorities in
national politics. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Political Class and Elites of the NORTH and the
Christian-Muslim Minorities (CMM)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>This
very Oppressive and Dominant Group of the NORTH have continued to use the
arbitrary and artificial boundaries created by the most oppressive and brutal
Empire Builders of Sokoto Caliphate, Sultanate of Kanem-Bornu and the British
Colonialists. The term NORTH and all that it contains and means, is used by
these oppressive and dominant groups for one singular purpose: to entrench
their historical and human advantage in the present political equation of
Nigeria. NORTH as both political and religious gives them a wider territory,
population and historical advantage that they always use as means of intimidating
and instilling fear and anxiety into the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the
Northern States of Nigeria and the peoples of Southern Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>This
National Conference should explore and use every means to ensure that all
ethnic nationalities and groups of the Northern States are given their
historical and inalienable ethnic, cultural, religious and political rights and
also be given their political freedom from the NORTH oppressors. The Empire
Builders took away the ancestral land rights, cultural, economic and social
rights of the ethnic minorities of the Middle Belt and in its place, they
impose the BURDEN NORTH upon them. This is what this National Conference should
remove from the backs of Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States of
Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>This
National Conference is NOT about artificial REGIONALISM as created by the
Empire Builders but about DISMATLING such oppressive and dominant structures
and GIVING political freedom to all those who are still being oppressed in
Nigeria. This is the state of Christian-Muslim Minorities in the North. They
are currently still under this oppressive yoke and burden of NORTH-ISM.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Political Class and Elites of Southern Nigeria<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Southern
politicians have always fallen victims of NORTH-ISM by being intimidated with
bogus claims of territory, population and Islam from their political
counterparts of the NORTH. The truth is that the politicians of the NORTH never
have the interests of the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States at
heart. Rather, they always ensure their subordination, humiliation and
marginalization. The major problem of the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the
Northern States of Nigeria is the nature of national political arrangement and
practice. For example, at the political centre, a Yoruba politician goes with
only one ethnic political card. He does not present a religious political card.
The same thing with an Igbo politician, who also goes to the national political
centre with one ethnic political card. Similarly, and now also, the man from
the South-South, he goes to the same national political centre with one ethnic
political card. But, on the contrary, the man from the NORTH goes two political
cards. The first card is NORTH-ISM. This political card is not an ethnic
political card as that of the rest of Nigerians, because his religion has taken
away his ethnicity and ancestral land. His political card does not carry the
ethnic symbol of Hausa, Fulani, or Kanuri, nor that of his ancestral land
(Hausaland or Kanuriland), but that of an artificial and contrived NORTH. He has the NORTH as historically and
artificially contrived and created by the Empire Builders of yester-years. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>His
second political card is religion or ISLAM. Both NORTH and ISLAM give him a
wider political space, power and population as a political bargaining-chip and
also as an intimidating tool for all Southern politicians at the national
political centre. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>All
Southern politicians have a very powerful political role to play. First they
need to know that the political concept NORTH subsumes the Christian-Muslim
Minorities of the Northern States of Nigeria, who in actual fact are denied a
national political platform and forum as other Nigerians. The NORTH does not
speak for the Christian-Muslim Minorities, but always as against them, both in
word and deed throughout history. NORTH-SIM as a political ideology has also become
in a political IDOL which many of the political class and elites of Northern
Nigeria worship and revere. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>However,
Southern Minorities have been able to have their political aspiration met when Mid-West
Region was created during the First Republic and South-South during the Abacha
Military Regime. Thus, the political space and freedom of the Minority Ethnic
Groups of Mid-West and the Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers (COR) have been realized, while
their counterparts in the Middle Belt have been left to contend with fate and
evil. The recently created (1996) Geo-Political Zones of North-West, North East
and North-Central and that of the earlier States and Local Governments creation
by the Military Regimes are in effect a political geography that further
entrenched NORTH-ISM upon the Christian-Muslim Minorities. This political
geography is a window dressing of a further and deepened subordination of the
Christian-Muslim Minorities to the oppressive and dominant ideology and
idolatry of NORTH-ISM.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
National Conference and politicians in Nigeria need to re-visit the political
aspirations and freedom of the Middle Belt Ethnic Minorities which British
Colonial Nigeria did not address, nor the politicians or the soldiers of
Northern extraction.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Southern
politicians who have tasted political freedom and are now enjoying and living
democratically should work hard politically and form a mountain pressure group until
the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States also gain their
political freedom and democracy. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
National Conference should re-visit the colonial artificial and arbitrary and
contrived geo-political boundaries and the consequences of British Indirect
Rule that have given undue political advantage to some ethnic nationalities in
the North over the Christian-Muslim Minorities. The political question of the
Middle Belt within the national political equation should be taken up very seriously
and addressed comprehensively by the Conference.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Military Regimes and the Political Question of the
Middle Belt<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The Military
Regimes after General Ironsi were mainly bred and nurtured under the ideology
and idolatry of NORTH-ISM. Their policies of states and local governments
creation were governed and influenced by geo-political mathematics. The
political question and the ethnic, cultural, religious and social rights of the
Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Middle Belt were never entertained or
granted. By and large, the exercise of states and local governments creation
were based upon master-servant syndrome and classical clientelism of the Empire
Builders. A typical example of this intractable case is the quest by the
Christian-Muslim Minorities of Kaduna State for the creation of Gurara State.
All that the Military did was to further entrenched the hegemony of NORTH-ISM
and the full subjugation of the Christian-Muslim Minorities. In most Northern
States, the Military ensured that the Masters (Muslim Rulers and majority) have
their servants (Christian-Muslim Minorities) appended to them as the hewers and
cutters of wood and carriers of water in their States. Perhaps, the Military
might have naively assumed that equality of persons or ethnic groups is a given
factor in human history, or that it was expedient to mix them up for the good
of humanity and national integration. But realities on ground have proven the
Military to be both naïve and wrong. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Nigerians
are not just scattered as individuals, but people bound by culture, religion,
ethnography and geography. The greatest political disservice of the Military to
the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States is in this area. This
National Conference should consider addressing the political question of the
Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States as its top-most national
priority. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Nigerian Government and the Legislature<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Both the
Executive and the Legislature should have been pro-active in ensuring that all
historical imbalances, injustices and subordinations of the yester-years of
Empire Building are corrected and redressed. They neglected this very need by
not ensuring that every ethnic nationality has a taste of Nigerian Independence
of 1960. On First October 1960, the British granted political independence to
all Nigerians, but the NORTH has refused to do same to some Christian-Muslim
Minorities in the Northern States of Nigeria. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of the Executive and the Legislature to ensure that every person
and every ethnic nationality is politically free in Nigeria. It is incumbent on
them to set up a national research on the need for all ethnic nationalities in
Nigeria to have their full political freedom.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>E.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Summary<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>From the
forgoing, very serious political questions have been raised on what the Empire
Builders have done to the peoples of the Middle Belt. The failure to address
the political question of the CMM of the Middle Belt is deeply rooted in
ethnography, geography, religion and culture. The political question of the
Middle Belt has from recent history exhibited great fears and anxieties by
those who derive enormous political benefits from NORTH-ISM. The historical
strangle hold of the then Sokoto Caliphate and the then Sultanate of
Kanem-Borno, the then British Colonial Administration and now the Northern
political class and elites and the Military regimes on the CMM of the Middle
Belt is deeply rooted in the manipulations of ethnography, geography, religion
and culture. The political jinx of the Middle Belt and the place of the CMM in
both Northern and National politics are rooted in this fundamental question. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The term
Middle Belt in itself generates great anxieties and fears in some people. They
hate the term to the core. But we know that their anxiety and fear are deeply
rooted in the political manipulation of the ethnography, geography, religion
and culture by the ideology and idolatry of NORTH-ISM. Until when these issues
are brought to the open, one would not be able to fathom the foundations of
such great anxiety and fear that is imbedded in the political question of the
Middle Belt. In order to understand and appreciate the deep-seated anxiety and
fear of the political question of the Middle Belt, one needs to be well
educated beyond the dominant and oppressive ideology and idolatry of ONE NORTH.
<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>V.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Northern Minorities and the Politics of Geography and
Ethnography <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The nature and scope of Nigerian politics is deeply rooted
in geography and ethnography. The politics of ancestral land, regionalism,
federalism, states, local governments, sectionalism and zoning are all rooted
in geography. While the politics of tribalism, religion, culture, federal
character, population and elections are all rooted in ethnicity. The dominant
and powerful motif of ethno-regional politics in Nigeria is the basis of
religious and cultural wars, the politics of population, elections, zoning,
state and local government creations and federal character. The political
bargaining powers are between and among only the South East, South-West,
South-South and the Muslim Far-North. The peoples of the Middle Belt are left
out of the political equation as we have already pointed out. We need to point
out how political geography and political ethnicity benefit the rest of
Nigerians as they were fashioned out for them by the Empire Builders, but not
the peoples of the Middle Belt. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Political
Geography and Political Ethnography<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Political
geography deals with land and all its natural and mineral resources. Land and
its natural and mineral resources dictate how politics is being played among
and between all the stake holders. How is political geography being played out
in Nigeria?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Political
ethnography also deals with ethnicity, tribalism, religion and culture. The
ownership of land and its natural and mineral resources dictate how politics is
being played. The political holders use ethnicity, religion and culture and
political intrigues as means of manipulations and entrenching their dominant
position in both regional and national politics. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The National
Conference needs to research and answer the question, “How did Empire Builders
use geography and ethnography to create a MONOLITHIC NORTH?,” which has become
the most sophisticated and powerful instrument of political and religious subjugation,
oppression and marginalization of the Christian-Muslim Minorities of the
Northern Sates of Nigeria in both regional and national politics?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Historical Background of Political Geography and
Political Ethnography<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The National
Conference needs to have a thorough knowledge and understanding: How political
geography and political ethnicity were used by the Empire Builders in
institutionalizing the inferior status and socio-political role of the
Minorities of the Middle Belt. On this account the political quest of the
present Christian-Muslim Minorities is their total and complete liberation
based upon the political principles of land ancestry (geography) and
ethnography (ethnic nationalities). The political problems of the peoples of
the Middle Belt can only be seriously addressed if their ethnic nationalities
are considered as a primary political factor in the National Debate. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Nigerians as
citizens define themselves solely in terms of their ethnicity, history,
religious affiliation, culture or ancestral land. For example, the colonial
masters would ask Nigerians: What is your tribe? What is your Native Authority?
What is your region? What is your religion? Where do you come from? Are you an
indigene, a native or a settler? In Nigeria today, people from one ethnic group
cannot claim rights to land that is ancestral outside of their own geographic
area. Residency and Nigerian citizenship do not grant land ancestry. The
Nigerian Constitution has yet to erase that colonial understanding,
interpretation and application of linking ethnography to ancestral land of
origin (geography). For this reason, a Yoruba Nigerian cannot claim rights to
ancestral land or chieftaincy in any part of Nigeria outside of his ancestral
Yorubaland, whether in Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Enugu, Owerri, Calabar, Port
Harcourt or Benin. Similarly, an Igbo Nigerian cannot claim a right to
ancestral land or chieftaincy in those areas. In the same vein, a Hausa
Nigerian cannot claim rights to ancestral land and chieftaincy in Ibadan, Ife, Enugu,
Owerri, Calabar, Port Harcourt or Benin. So also a Middle Belt Nigerian cannot
claim ancestral land or chieftaincy in the Far North or the West, the East, or
the Far South. For the same reason, no Yoruba, Igbo or Middle Belter can be
made a ruler of the Hausa in any part of Hausaland. No Hausa, Bini or Yoruba
can be made a traditional ruler of the Igbo in any part of Igboland.
Furthermore, no Igbo, Hausa, Bini or Middle Belter can be made a ruler of the
Yoruba in any part of Yorubaland. But the Hausa and Fulani, however, who cannot
claim such ancestral and geographical rights in Igboland, Yorubaland or
Biniland, can do so quite easily in the Middle Belt even though historically
they do not have ancestral and geographical rights as it applies to the rest of
Nigeria. Conversely, a Christian or traditionalists from the Middle Belt cannot
claim ancestral land rights in any part of Hausaland or Kanuriland. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Why is the case
of the Middle Belt different from the rest of Nigeria (Far North, West and
East)? The British concepts of Nigerian ethnicity, land and citizenship were
rooted in their own Kingdom heritage. One may be a British citizen, but he may
not be a Scott, or Welsh, or Irish or English. Being a Scott, or Welsh or Irish
or English is not granted by British citizenship or residency, but exclusively
by ancestry and geography. The British brought the same idea to colonial
Nigeria, but carved out the Middle Belt as an exception which may appear to
resemble the American (USA) concept of citizenship, but inherently different.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Why is the Middle
Belt an exception in both land and citizenship matters? It is unique because
its ethnicity, religion, history and ancestral land were manipulated and
interpreted differently by the colonial masters from those of the rest of
Nigerians who resided in the Far North, the East and the West. Earlier, the
Caliphate had claimed some parts of the Middle Belt through the <i>jihads</i>,
the wars of expansion and the annexation of lands and territories. Later, at
the arrival of the British, they consolidated those Hausa and Fulani enclaves
and colonies into districts, divisions, emirates and provinces under the
Indirect Rule and indigenous administration (Native Authorities). The British
colonial structures, the emirate system, indigenous administration and the
philosophy of indirect rule gave a colonial status to the Islamic territories
in some parts of the Middle Belt. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Even prior to the
Caliphate era, the Hausa traders and the Fulani pastoralists lived in their own
separate colonies or the <i>zangos</i> as distinct from the indigenes. Islam
consolidated this early settler and non-indigene communities scattered
throughout the Middle Belt as Muslim communities within the vast territory of
the Middle Belt. The British simply took the Hausa concept of
settler-stranger-indigene and created the 440 yards rule and the <i>Sabon Gari
System. </i>The concept and practice of non-indigeneship, settlers or strangers
was a colonial consolidation of the early Hausa concept of communal separation
of un-equal ethnic or religious groups. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>In Hausaland, the
passport to indigenization is assimilation or integration. If a non-Hausa
wanted to be an indigene, he/she must have to integrate or assimilate. The
Kanuri have integrated in Kano and became Hausawa and the same in Zaria.
Identity change by religion or culture facilitated integration or assimilation.
A Yoruba man or Igbo man who refuses to assimilate or integrate in Kano or
Katsina would ever remain a settler or a stranger. Without assimilation or
integration, it is very difficult for one to claim indigeneship in the Far
North, West or East. It would be foolhardy for a Yoruba man or a Birom man, or
any other to claim indigeneship in Kano or in any parts of the Far North if
such a one refuses to assimilate into Hausa system. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>But currently,
Nigerians are forcing and advocating for a different case in the Middle Belt.
Traditionally, the Hausa and the Fulani or any other has generally refused to
assimilate or integrate in the Middle Belt. Particularly, the Hausa, the Fulani
and the Kanuri have ever remained distinct, different and even stood aloof. It
is with this posture that some of them are laying claims of indigeneship in the
Middle Belt areas which could not be done in the Far North. Here we can see
social and ethical disparity which is the source of crises and conflicts
between the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri, on the one hand, and the other ethnic
groups in the Middle Belt, on the other. This social and ethical disparity is
sometimes given to religious and political manipulations, but such takes place
only in the Middle Belt. When the Middle Belters began to have their own
chiefdoms, in some places, the Hausa and the Fulani would refused to be placed
under this arrangement and would demand for their own emirates and emirs in the
Middle Belt. In colonial times, the Hausa, the Fulani and the Kanuri had always
been the rulers and this makes it very difficult for some of them to submit to
the rulers from Middle Belt extraction. The issues of assimilation and
integration are social factors that are the roots of many crises and conflicts
in the Middle Belt. The Jos and Kafanchan crises are deeply rooted in
ethnography, geography, religion and culture of mainly the Hausa, Fulani and
Kanuri, on the one hand, and that of the other ethnic groups, on the other.
What the Hausa and the Fulani want done in Jos or Kafanchan cannot be done in
any part of Hausaland. Ancestry of both ethnicity and land are the primary
causes of conflicts and crises generally in the Middle Belt between the indigenes
and the Hausa and Fulani. Any political or religious solution that does address
these primordial social factors can be considered to be far from justice and
fairness. Imposition of the will of the powerful or the majority would only
inflame crises and conflicts. The powerful can have their will or interest
enshrined in a contrived State policy or legislation. But doing so only sows
the seeds of crisis and conflict. The question of ethnic nationalities in the
Middle Belt must be taken very seriously if we are searching for peace in the
Middle Belt areas. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>British
colonialism had defined Nigerians in terms of their ethnicity and land
ancestry. Because of this social fact, they have also defined Nigerians in
terms of indigeneship or settlership. For example, if one is born a Yoruba, or
Ibo, or Hausa, or any other, automatically that one is associated with an
ethnic group and with a specific ancestral land. If a Hausa man is born in Port
Harcourt, he is defined in terms of being an ethnic Hausa with his home
ancestry in Hausaland. This was what British colonialism made of all Nigerians.
The argument that a Nigerian if born in a certain place, he is automatically an
indigene of that place does not fit any conceptual and British colonial culture
in Nigeria. In fact, the only geographical area where people make such bogus
claims and practice it is the Middle Belt. No Nigerian can make such a claim in
the Far North, West, or East. British colonialism had carved out Nigerian
ethnic groupings according their land ancestry and there are ample ethnographic
colonial maps that had defined each ethnic or language group according to their
ethnography and land ancestry. The smaller ethnic or language groupings may
stand the chance of losing even their very little portion of ancestral land to
the powerful ones as the case is becoming in contemporary Middle Belt. This
could be done by mere use of force of arms, assimilation or enculturation. The
other is done by contrived constitutional means and political manipulations.
For example, if Nigerian citizenship should be defined by residency, then the
Middle Belters would be disadvantaged because of what the British colonialism
had done to both their ethnicity and land of ancestry. Every Nigerian who
resides in the Far North, West or East knows that he/she is a stranger by
ancestry of land and ethnicity in the area. Who would even dare to make such
claims? The only claim that is valid for any Nigerian is that of ancestry of
both ethnicity and land. The British manipulated the ethnography and geography
of the peoples of the Middle Belt to their disadvantage in modern Nigeria.
Whatever definition of citizenship or land that Nigerians should adopt today,
the peoples of the West, East and Far North would not feel threatened by such,
except for the peoples of the Middle Belt. The questions of citizenship and
land matters are very sensitive issues for the Middle Belt peoples who stand
alone to watch the gradual shrinking of their ancestral land and the erosion of
their space and freedom in modern Nigeria. Gradually, the Middle Belt is
becoming a war zone filled with so many crises and conflicts. The inflammation
of crises and conflicts are rooted hegemonic and religious manipulations of the
peoples of the Middle Belt by the dominant and powerful political and religious
groups.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Since British
colonialism had imperially carved out all the ethnic groups based upon their
land of ancestry, Nigeria must on this historical basis protect the smaller
ethnic groups from having their ancestral lands being confiscated by the
powerful ethnic groups. This can only be achieved if a land and ethnic law is
promulgated primarily to protect all ethnic groupings of Nigeria. This
socio-historical background is what can be the foundations of modern Nigerian citizenship.
Those desiring to apply wholesale the American experience of citizenship to
Nigeria would invariably disadvantage only the Middle Belters. Nigeria can
modify its primordial values, but must be done in such a way that in the long
run no one is disadvantaged or schemed out in the political equation of
Nigeria. Nigerian citizenship based upon the American experience or residency
concept would in principle be accepted by Nigerians knowing that such a concept
can only be applied in the Middle Belt and not in their ancestral areas. The
Middle Belt would invariably become a new virgin territory where all Nigerians
could converge as Nigerians. The political and social implications for the
Middle Belt would be phenomenal. Land and citizenship disputes in Nigeria are
only found in the Middle Belt. All disputes pertaining to indigeneship or
settlership in the Middle Belt must have to be settled and resolved for the
well-being of all ethnic groups in the Middle Belt. They should be guaranteed
of both their ancestral ethnography and geography. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Historically, the
non-Muslim groups had a subordinated status in the hierarchical structure of
the Northern Colonial System. Even in their own ancestral lands, they were made
second-class citizens with a <i>dhimmi </i>or slave status. The Muslim Hausa,
Fulani or Kanuri rulers who had no ancestry in the Middle Belt were made their
rulers and thus had ancestral land rights of the area. Thus, the political
geography of the Middle Belt was redefined to give the Muslim Hausa, Fulani and
Kanuri territorial rights for the whole Northern Region. The only group of
Nigerians who have been subjected to a different understanding, interpretation
and application of colonial ethnography and geography are the peoples of the
Middle Belt. Even in their own ancestral lands, the Christian-Muslim Minorities
in the Middle Belt are at best, second-class citizens. Hence the necessity of
making ethnic nationality an important factor in National Conference.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>During the
colonial era and since independence, the indigenous peoples of the Middle Belt
have campaigned for political independence and resented the continuation of the
non-indigenous rule and claims to their ancestral lands. The British colonial
masters defined the Nigerian ethnic groups, not as individuals, but as
people-groups with distinct ethnicity, history, religion, culture and ancestral
land. Each ethnic group under the colonial masters was given a geographical
territory as its ancestral land. The British were able to monitor and traced
individual Nigerians back to their ethnicity and ancestral land. They had the
colonial maps which defined the political geography and ethnography of all
ethnic groups in Nigeria. Because of rapid population growth, urbanization and
migrations, there are some ethnic groups that stand the danger of becoming
extinct. The endangered ethnic groups stand in dare need of protection and
preservation from the powerful and numerous ethnic groups that could easily
swallow them up. There is a great need of developing a policy of preserving
such ethnic groups from extinction. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Under the
Caliphate and the Sultanate and British colonialism, Muslim–non-Muslim
relationships were based upon a hierarchical classification of human races or
civilizations. The legacy of these social hierarchies affects the way in which
the Muslim Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri, on the one hand and the non-Muslims of the
Middle Belt, on the other relate to each other. Classical Islam and British
racism produced a social order that results in inferior status and role for the
traditionalists, Christians and peoples of other faiths. In some Northern
States, the non-Muslims and Christians still carry the stigma of inferiority of
the bye-gone years of slavery or <i>dhimmi </i>status. They still suffer
discrimination on grounds of religion or ethnicity and are sometimes denied the
opportunity of holding key political positions. These discriminatory practices
seek to limit the influence of Christians and other non-Muslims even if they
are in the majority or are present in large numbers. Some powerful Muslim
groups still believe in the Caliphate, Sultanate and British hierarchical
classification of people groups and seek to maintain their status as
second-class citizens. This mentality has turned out to be the current ideology
and idolatry of NORTH-ISM. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>From the
foregoing, we have stated very clearly the reasons why we have a strong need
for the National Conference to be based upon ethnic nationalities as means of
curtailing the influence of the political class and elites who have dominated
national politics prior to and after Independence. Nigerians and ethnic
nationalities should be given the opportunity of determining their fate in the
next centennial starting in 2014. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>VI.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Role and Function of the National Conference<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>We proffer the
following suggestions regarding the role and functions of the National
Conference.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Sovereignty of the National Conference?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Historically, the
desire by some Nigerians to make this National Conference a Sovereignty is what
has hindered or delayed any set-up of such a Conference in the past.
Sovereignty as a concept threatens some people and casts a shadow of suspicion
as some believe that Sovereignty spells the disintegration of Nigeria. The
concept has both proponents and opponents. We advise against making this
National Conference Sovereignty. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Government Support and Backing<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Without any full
Government support and backing, this exercise is doomed to failure. The only
question we want to ask here is, “Does the Government have the political will
to implement all the decisions of the National Conference?” It is this
assurance of will power to implement decisions that we need as a nation.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Presentations at the National Conference<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->National Conference Should Not Be Based Upon Regions or the
Elite Political Class <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>When we hear some
people talk about East, West or North as power brokers and stake holders who
would come to this National Conference to represent their Regions, or the elite
political class, and if accepted, it would only send Nigeria back into the
feudal <i>jahiliya</i> period. This Conference is not about Regional or elite
representation. What we call regions, were the contrived artificial and
arbitrary creation of the Empire Builders who imposed their wills upon the
unwilling subjects. We cannot today, use the democratic instruments of national
integration and nation building to bring in at the back-door feudalism and
political backwardness of the ideology and idolatry of regionalism, elitism and
especially NORTH-ISM. Regional politics and structures are the Trojan Horse of
the political class and elites. We strongly oppose the use of instruments of
oppression, subjugation, discrimination and marginalization under the guise of
regions, for example NORTH-ISM. The political class and elites of the NORTH
have never served the political, cultural and religious interests of the
Christian-Muslim Minorities of the Northern States of Nigeria. They have always
worked against them by ensuring and establishing their political dominance and influence,
and political distribution of resources, rewards and statuses. No one or group
should be allowed to speak for and on behalf of any others. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->National Conference Be Based Upon Ethnic Nationalities <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>In order to
correct the contrived, artificial and arbitrary creation of regions, states and
local governments, the National Conference needs to define Nigerians mainly in
terms of their ethnicity (ethnography) and ancestral land (geography). In the
Middle Belt, all the people groups are a mixture of Christians, Muslims and a
few Traditionalists. They form what we call Christian-Muslim Minorities of the
Northern States of Nigeria. Even though some of them have become Muslims, the
ideology and idolatry of NORTH-ISM still discriminates and marginalizes them.
Even though they are Muslims, Islam Hausanizes and incorporates them
peripherally into a Hausa ethnic group. Still, their tribal/ethnic roots
stigmatize them as <i>kabila </i>and <i>tubabbu</i>. Becoming a Muslim does not
erase their nascent ethnic and ancestral origin and place. It only depends who
is <i>Hausa</i> or Muslim enough. The place and plight of a Muslim Minority is
rooted in his ethnography and geography. Even if he assimilates into <i>Hausa</i>
he has primordial social factors which cannot be erased as the <i>Hausa </i>community
is highly hierarchical based upon human classification of races. We are all
equal but some are more equal than others. Many, who wanted to escape their
inferior status and socio-political role in NORTH-ISM and ISLAM, have
discovered to their regret that after all they are not better than their kith
and kin who did not convert to Islam. In fact, their kith and kin may be better
treated than they. Thus, being a northerner is much deeper than a mere
political expression of NORTH-ISM or ISLAM. To many who are designated as the
Northern Minorities (Christian-Muslim), the concept NORTH is an ideology and
idolatry that has denied them their freedom, equality and basic human
rights. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
Christian-Muslim Minorities need to go to the National Conference as an ethnic
nationality with a distinct ancestral land. We still have colonial and
post-colonial maps of ethnic and linguistic groupings in Nigeria, especially
the Middle Belt which has more ethnic nationalities than any region of Nigeria.
Representation in the National Conference by ethnic nationality will redress
many injustices and manipulations of ethnicity, land, religion and culture of
people groups in the Middle Belt that have been overrun and dominated by
NORTH-ISM and ISLAM. They need to be free and be given an opportunity to chart
their political course without being tele-guided by their so-called surrogate
lords and masters.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Under no
circumstance(s) should any ethnic nationality in the Middle Belt be subsumed
under NORTH-ISM, because the National Conference is not about regions or
religion but people who are all Nigerians and are all equal before the National
Conference. We are also going there not on political majority or minority
basis, but as equal ethnic nationalities and Nigerians. Elitism of the
political class has nothing to hold on to except a geo-political boundary or a
religious universalism. National Conference is not a place where Labour
Congress or Regions, or Religious Groups would be allowed in or to impose their
hegemony of servitude upon ethnic nationalities. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The
Christian-Muslim Minorities of the
Northern States are in dare need of their political freedom and expression, for
this reason, they should not be placed under any form of NORTH-ISM. What the
British Colonial Administration did to them in the mid and late 1950s, the
Hudson Commission (1956) and the Minority Commission (1958) should not be
repeated by this National Conference. All other Minority Groups in Nigeria have
obtained their political rights and land rights, except the Christian-Muslim
Minorities of the Northern States of Nigeria. In fact, the National Conference
should be made to finish the task of carving out politically and geographically
all the Christian-Muslim Minorities who are not Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri and be
given their two political Zones: Middle Belt West Zone and Midddle-Belt East
Zone. The Hausa and Fulani North-West Zone and the Kanuri and their similar
others North-East Zone.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Suggested Working Guidelines for the National
Conference <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>We propose the
following working guidelines for the National Conference in working with each
identified ethnic nationality or groups of ethnic nationality:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The National Conference shall set up a machinery or means
of Identification and Classification of all Ethnic Nationalities or Groups of
Ethnic Nationality in Nigeria based upon the following primordial social
factors: (1) ethnography
(ethnicity, identity and history); (2) geography (land and territory); (3)
religion; and (4) culture.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Each Ethnic Nationality shall be asked to list, debate and
resolve by itself all pending issues of joining with others in the Nigerian
Project, for example: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What political arrangements and structures are conducive
for national unity and would make her want to be part of making the new Nigeria?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What primordial social factors and values that other ethnic
nationalities or the political class and elites have that have generated crises
and conflicts in their experience of being part of Nigeria? Should such
conflict generating social factors and values be allowed or disallowed in the
New Nigeria? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->How would she want to be treated by all other ethnic
nationalities and Nigerians if she is to be part of the making of New Nigeria?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In its experience of Nigeria, what type of a New Nigeria
does she want to have?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>e.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What specific areas of development does this ethnic
nationality or group of ethnic nationalities want see Government to do in her
ethnic territory? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>f.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What form of Government is best suited for this ethnic
group that shares one geo-political entity with others?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Each Ethnic Nationality or Group of Ethnic Nationalities
shall have an Elders’ Forum to discuss debate and resolve the above issues and
findings. These are to be sent to the National Conference for further
presentation, debate and resolutions.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The National Conference shall present, debate and resolve
all the submissions from all the Ethnic Nationalities or Group of Ethnic
Nationalities. Two broad classifications are to be made in collating the
Debates and Resolutions of the National Conference:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Collation of all common ground social factors and values
that form the basis of national unity and harmony;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Collation of all conflicting social factors and values that
is divisive and conflictual. These are to be debated intensely and if they
could not be resolved, they cannot also be brought into the making of a New
Nigeria. They are to be labeled sub-national values with very limited sphere.
They cannot be made national in whatever form.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The National Conference shall prepare a Constitution that
embraces and reflects the common ground of all Nigerians and advise on how to
handle sub-national and limited values. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -.25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The National Conference shall propose a National Instrument
for the processes of adoption of the New Constitution by the Executive and the
Legislature. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-82967621464448985572014-01-29T14:15:00.002-08:002014-01-29T14:15:09.783-08:00Requiem for Arewa’s Political Homogeneity<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">by Dominic Umosen</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With particular
emphasis, history acknowledges the overwhelming sense of misgivings by Northern
political leaders for their serial indiscretions and misguided political
decisions which began in 2011 when regional leaders met in Abuja and resolved
to step up hostilities against President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in
demonstration of the region’s disaffection from loss of political power in the
country. Initially, this uncharitable disposition was attributed to tantrums by
an over-pampered child who may be hell-bent on ignoring the basic wisdom that
wise folks do not betray the confidence of their traditional political allies;
which is the exact political currency Arewa is repaying its traditional
political allies in the South-South with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Profound disappointment
in the South-South regarding Arewa’s grand betrayal also triggered reverse
outrage, with some hawks like former Niger-Delta militant, Alhaji Mujaheed
Asari-Dokubo advocating that Niger-Delta aborigines should unilaterally
expropriate crude oil as compensation for collateral damages visited on
minority oil-producing nationalities in the region. Enraged by this
ingratitude-based arrogance against the South-South on one hand and endless
hostile exchanges with neighbouring minority nationalities in the North on the
other, it was a matter of time before these hostile exchanges exerted
irreversible stress on the fabric of homogeneity between Hausa/Fulanis and
their neighbour minority nationalities, destroying it in the process and
definitively erasing a famous socio-political attribute of the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the first time
since the amalgamation of defunct Northern Nigeria and the Southern
Protectorate, individuals from that part of the country began to defend the
interests of their distinct nationalities in the region, as opposed to a
mythical one and indivisible aggregate Northern political interest which
deviates from what used to be regarded as aggregate Arewa identity. However,
the collapse of the Northern political identity has been most dramatic in Plateau
State because there, inter-ethnic acrimony has made it impossible for the man
who fought a civil war to keep Nigeria one – Gen Yakubu Gowon – to visit
his Pankshin home. The former
head-of-state’s predicament posts a supreme irony. Indeed, Plateau has become
the epicenter of a vicious inter-ethnic war in which the Hausa-Fulani are
permanently locked in battle against minority ethnic nationalities in the
savannah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Part of reasons for the
dramatic collapse of the mythical political homogeneity of the North is the
fact that democracy invariably destroyed much of the unmerited privileges that
the Hausa/Fulani-controlled military hitherto lavished on their kith and kin,
including fiercely-arrogant itinerant herdsmen who seem blissfully ignorant of
the fact that nomadic pastoralism is no longer fashionable the world over.
Because it is no longer possible to indulge or lavish excuses for the
over-exuberance of armed herdsmen, well-coordinated clashes between them and
farming communities have triggered consistently bloody exchanges, with farmers
becoming more determined to protect their farmlands from ravages by rampaging
livestock which should ideally be sequestered in ranches as done in every
civilised society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The reluctance by
government to restrict livestock to designated ranches was developed during
military rule. The institution developed
and perfected this reluctance to do what is right because doing so might
inconvenience the owner of a consignment of livestock who may have been in some
sort of cahoots with the local garrison commander, hence untouchable. The
frequency of such practices has been drastically curtailed under this
dispensation where the fear of insurgents have imposed a new vigilance on
security agencies, inspiring more farmers in traumatized and exasperated
communities to resist encroachments on their farmlands by livestock and
herdsmen who are often unbelievably well-armed, enough to complicate the scope
of their menace as well as ensuing exchanges with these invaded communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Indeed, the frequency
of such violent exchanges between herdsmen and farmers has triggered countless
clashes in several communities across the country. Across Benue, Bauchi,
Plateau, Imo, Ogun, Ekiti and many other states, tales of clashes between
roaming bands of herdsmen and farmers are routine. Beyond the loss of innocent
lives involved and the provocative nonchalance of herdsmen who refuse to
distinguish between farmlands and fallow bush, Nigerians are sufficiently
exasperated by the reluctance of government to enforce the universal norm which
specifies that nomadic pastoralism is outdated and that anyone seeking to
engage in large-scale livestock farming should make provision for ranches to
eliminate the likelihood of recurring friction between herdsmen and farming
communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the articulate
Middle Belt Forum, the umbrella group for minority nationalities in the
North-Central Zone, issued a threat to reciprocate attacks on their communities
by itinerant Fulani herdsmen, the justification for this unprecedented threat
of retaliations was provided by frequently-bloody attacks on these communities
by Fulani herdsmen who have acquired a greater capacity for menace and are
better armed than soldiers. Testimony to this increasing sophistication in the
menace posed by Fulani herdsmen is the enabling circumstance surrounding the
killing of the former Senate Health Services Committee Chairman, Dr Fulani
Dantong by some Fulani herdsmen who invaded a grieving Berom village in Barkin
Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau State. According to eye-witnesses,
soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force advised the grieving villagers to
flee allegedly because the invaders arrived better-armed than themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The greater bulk of
ammunition that triggered the collapse of the fabled political homogeneity of
the North was provided by animosity triggered by these violent clashes between
herdsmen and farmers in the savannah. The traditional indifference of a typical
herdsman to a farmland and a bush provoked former Chief of General Staff, late
Maj-Gen. Tunde Idiagbon to threaten to gun down any Fulani herdsman that
encroached on his farm in Ilorin. Indeed,
anger by minority nationalities in the North against the predominant
Hausa/Fulani invariably became proportionate to the frequency of attacks on
their communities and the destruction of the properties by indiscriminating
herdsmen and their rampaging flocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Other tear-jerking
legacies of feudalism like the <i>almajiri</i>
phenomenon further intensified the disintegration of the region’s fabled
political homogeneity. It is an enduring testimony to the prevailing culture of
political mischief that despite the fact that salvation was graciously
engineered for these human eye-sores from outside the region, efforts to
rehabilitate them by President Jonathan were vigorously resisted by selfish
regional leaders like Gov Babangida Aliyu of Niger State who argue that the
sorry lifestyle projected by these human dregs is a worthy and befitting
cultural heritage. Yet Aliyu sends his wards to the best schools abroad and
lavishes his teenagers with toys <i>almajiris</i>
can only dream about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This sensational
hypocrisy by self-serving political leaders in the region contributed
significantly to undermine and eventually trigger collapse of the region’s
fabled political homogeneity. It also explains why it was possible for an
unimaginative governor to spend two-terms in Yobe to acquire choice limousines
and exquisite palaces for traditional rulers and after climbing on the crest of
prevalent ignorance to senatorial relevance, he gyrated on the axle of mischief
to blame President Jonathan for endemic poverty in the North-East. It is
unfortunate that instead of holding leaders like these to account for the
travesty they represent, some misguided people are holding others to ransom in
the name of insurgency which further exacerbates erosion of political
homogeneity of a milieu that has been torn apart by internal contradictions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
views expressed above are solely that of the writer and not necessarily that of
Omojuwa.com or its associates.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://omojuwa.com/2014/01/requiem-for-arewas-political-homogeneity-dominik-umosen/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Omojuwacom+%28OMOJUWA.COM%29"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://omojuwa.com/2014/01/requiem-for-arewas-political-homogeneity-dominik-umosen/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Omojuwacom+%28OMOJUWA.COM%29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-81018377491479988552014-01-24T13:40:00.002-08:002014-01-24T13:40:46.119-08:00NATIONAL CONFERENCE: REPRESENTATION NONSENSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-OcAnoH5cp96j71CdaDSWz6jiQBCooLg5hgzmhHAnH3XrCVJkqFxhP6zcyNlHQyBnyMiHLLns9B2Yj9IBI8K9BgK8Gb3XcEPMxSzGvy81OPV2NFOAcoJz0d76btbBX9PbRoPDHQvuFeK/s1600/NAT+CONF+Okurounmu+presenting+report+to+jonathsan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-OcAnoH5cp96j71CdaDSWz6jiQBCooLg5hgzmhHAnH3XrCVJkqFxhP6zcyNlHQyBnyMiHLLns9B2Yj9IBI8K9BgK8Gb3XcEPMxSzGvy81OPV2NFOAcoJz0d76btbBX9PbRoPDHQvuFeK/s1600/NAT+CONF+Okurounmu+presenting+report+to+jonathsan.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Okorounmu presenting his committee's report to Jonathan </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In my personal submission to the
Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on President Jonathan’s proposed National
Conference, I did say that the issue of representation to the Conference would most
likely pose the greatest challenge to the proposal. A THISDAY report on this
matter has heightened my fears in this regard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On 23 December 2013, a THISDAY report
written by</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Olusegun
Adeniyi and James Sowole</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> under the heading, PRESIDENTIAL
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 545 DELEGATES, contained “snippets” obtained by THISDAY
from the Okorounmu Committee recommendations to Mr. President. All the
agitators for a National Conference would have been shocked at the disclosures
contained in the Report. They may have
to abruptly end their celebration of having achieved success in convincing the
Federal Government to grant them their request to convene a National
Conference. Their euphoria may have come to a screeching halt. Those who
doggedly fought for a National Conference might have just had it approved and
then taken away from them by the Federal Government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">THISDAY’s “snippets”, which are yet to
be confirmed leakages from the PAC Report, claim as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That only 545 delegates may attend the
Conference after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That the 545 delegates would be made up
as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(a) 1
elected delegate from each of Nigeria’s 360 Federal Constituencies-360<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(b) Special
interest groups and Federal Government nominees
-185<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Total
-545<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That the 185 delegates representing special
interest groups and Fed Govt appointees shall be comprised of the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A. Government Nominees (43
delegates):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (a)
1 delegate nominated by each State Govt - 36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (b)
1 delegate nominated by the FCT - 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (c)
2 delegates from each arm of Fed. Govt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Presidency 2, Judiciary 2, Legislature
2) -
6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Sub-Total - 43<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> B.
Women (41 delegates):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (a)
1 woman nominated from each State - 36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (b)
1 woman nominated by the FCT - 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (c)
4 women nominated by the Fed. Govt. - 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Sub-Total - 41<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> C.
Youth (42 delegates):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (a)
1 youth nominated by each State - 36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (b)
2 youths nominated by the FCT - 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (c)
4 youths nominated by the Fed. Govt. - 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Sub-Total - 42<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> D.
Traditional Rulers (37 delegates):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (a)
1 nominated by each State - 36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (b)
1 by the FCT - 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Sub-Total - 37<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> E.
Professional Bodies & Faith-based Organisations (10 delegates):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (a)
Professional bodies - 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (b)
Christian faith - 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (c)
Islamic faith - 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (d)
Traditionalists - 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Sub-Total - 10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> F.
Other Delegates (6 delegates):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (a)
Armed Forces & Police - 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (b)
Diaspora delegates (2) - Male - 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> - Female - 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Sub-Total - 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Grand
Total - - - 179<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Thus, 6 delegates have not been
accounted for (185 – 179 = 6). The reporters said they disclosed snippets only.
We should therefore give them the benefit of the doubt, overlook the missing 6
delegates for now, and allow a small margin for errors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The following deductions can be made
from the above figures:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That the ethnic nationalities that
canvassed for the Conference might have been totally overlooked by Sen.
Okorounmu’s Committee. They have been declared irrelevant to the process. I
thought we were going to have a National Conference of Ethnic Nationalities.
But alas, it’s not to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That only 545 delegates will be
representing Nigeria's over 160 million people at such an important and crucial
conference is far too small a representation in my opinion. Many of us were
expecting between 1,000 and 2,000 delegates at the conference. Some people even
recommended 5,000 delegates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That 360 delegates (66%) to the
Conference will emerge by election along Federal Constituency lines. The
delineation, distribution and allocation of Federal Constituencies is one of
the most obnoxious and oppressive tools that the Military boys bequeathed us. They
are so unequally distributed round the country that one wonders the criteria
that they used. For example, while the SE Zone has just 43 Federal
Constituencies, the NW Zone has a whopping 92. All the 3 southern Zones have a
total of 169 Federal Constituencies while the 3 Northern Zones have 191 including
the FCT. This is one of the political structures that the Conference will seek
to correct. Federal Constituencies should therefore not form the basis for the
emergence of 66% of the Conference delegates at all. The Hausa and Fulani and
Muslims of Nigeria are going to be greatly advantaged if Fed Constituencies are
used while the NC Zone and southern minorities are going to be highly
disadvantaged. For equity and fairness, each of the six geo-political zones
should produce an equal number of delegates based on Senatorial Districts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">To worsen matters, INEC, a government
agency that has consistently conducted flawed elections, may just be mandated
to organise the elections of the first 360 so-called delegates. Or will the
elections be left to the ethnic nationalities to organise? Not a chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Another recommendation gleaned by the
reporters is that the elections will be according to universal adult suffrage.
In other words, it means all adult Nigerians will have the right to vote. Does
this mean that INEC’s register of voters will not be required? But we do not
yet have a citizens’ identity system in Nigeria. Our identity card schemes are
all in the pipeline. How will we be sure that those voting are Nigerians? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That the remaining 185 delegates (34%) will
all be Federal/State/FCT Government nominees is totally unacceptable to the
ordinary people of Nigeria. Jonathan had better think twice before accepting
such nonsense. This is the worst tool inserted in the recommendations by the
Okorounmu Committee. It is a deliberate design to hand over the Conference to
the dictates, whims and caprices of the Federal and States Governments, and by
extension, to the ruling Political Party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">From the number of delegates to be
‘elected’ or ‘nominated’ by the Federal and States Governments, it is obvious
that Government plans to hi-jack the Conference and ensure its wishes are
passed as the Conference resolutions. Nigeria's burning issues may not be
properly addressed and may continue to burn us. This arrangement will make a
mockery of the spirit behind the agitation for a national dialogue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">That 185 of the Conference delegates (34%)
will emerge by nomination. This will enable Government to influence the process
and government stooges, apologists and 'yes' men will emerge as the Conference
delegates. If the other 66% of delegates will emerge via INEC-organized
elections, Government influence is feared. Will there be Tribunals to hear
complaints of rigging and other untoward practices at the elections? At the end
of the ‘election’ and ‘nomination’ processes, State and Federal Governments
would have effectively produced all 545 of the Conference delegates, that is,
100% of them. The proposed Conference couldn’t be referred to as a National
Conference anymore, but a Conference of the Government by the Government and
for the Government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I can foresee the Ethnic Nationalities
who fought hard for a National Conference protesting this method of
representation and even boycotting the conference altogether. Should they take
this course of action, I will personally side with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">My advice to President Jonathan is that,
if these ‘snippets’ are actually true recommendations of the PAC, he should
reject them. Let him personally go through all the submissions of Nigerians to
the PAC and, I am certain, he would discover that the preponderance of opinion
is that the Conference delegates emerge on the basis of tribes. The truth is
that ethnology (tribe), geography (land) and religion (faith) are the three
most dearly held identities by Nigerians far above nationalistic feelings.
Don’t ask me why. I simply know that this is a fact. If we pretend that it is
not so, we only fool ourselves. May be up to 90% of submissions to the PAC were
from tribal groups. To suggest that Nigerians should drop their ethnology
(tribe) or their land geography (land) or their religion (faith) would be
foolhardiness. Every Nigerian, from Mr. President to the homeless destitute,
holds tenaciously to these three, above everything else. Make the geo-political
Zones Governments (the federating units) and Nigerians would be most pleased.
That is, we should restructure in order to achieve fiscal federalism in place
of the false political federation we claim to have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I am also aware that many Nigerians who
submitted memos to the PAC recommended that Government, politicians, political
parties, legislators and government appointees should not participate in the
conference directly. These listed persons and groups are already in governance
and so would vote to maintain the status quo and their positions of lordship.
Why should they dismantle the system that they are feeding fat on? After all,
the Conference agitators want to change that socio-political system, which they
perceive a being full of impunity, inequality, oppression, injustice and
hopelessness for majority of the populace. After all, the Conference
resolutions will still go back to Government - first to the President, then to
the National Assembly before they can be enacted into law. Why is Government
afraid of a fair and transparent ‘People’s Conference’? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">May be the Conference sceptics have a
point after all. Opponents of the Conference suddenly became its advocates without
clear reason. Could they have cooked up a game plan to hi-jack the entire
process, buy cheap popularity in the process and yet mange to recycle
themselves in office? I don’t think Nigerians can be so easily hoodwinked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">May be this is why, as reported by
Adeniyi and Sowole, the SGF, Pius Anyim Pius, blocked the attempt by Chief
Solomon Asemota to submit a minority report. Asemota might have seen the nonsensical
recommendations of his colleagues, decided not to resign but continue
participate, so that he may be able to submit a ‘One-man Minority Report’ on
D-day. Unfortunately, he was check-mated at the last minute by the SGF. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Asemota should not give up the fight for
a true National Conference of Ethnic Nationalities by Ethnic nationalities and
for Ethnic nationalities. He should go back to his group, the Patriots, which
is chaired by constitutional expert, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, and re-strategize. I
expect and urge their group and others like the Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Arewa
Youth Forum and the various Middle Belt movements to spearhead protests against
any representation nonsense offered by Government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-65321068822853690032013-09-16T23:54:00.002-07:002013-09-16T23:54:13.828-07:00SOLDIERS ON TRIAL FOR COMPLICITY IN BOKO HARAM & JOS CRISIS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOinNZeXy5tlQMD6LROzoQPdGPXd8H-b9phXREBTUxEPYkrUovxD2JDrylGxxpNoRz_kbkNNNhOSVEOgk7-nseDpLHyt8_1EziSW0jnbFf7_SuHoLUchfjrZBAD6keiyISqgLZ_nNy2clF/s1600/SOLDIERS+ON+TRIAL+FOR+COMPLICITY+IN+PLATEAU+CRISIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOinNZeXy5tlQMD6LROzoQPdGPXd8H-b9phXREBTUxEPYkrUovxD2JDrylGxxpNoRz_kbkNNNhOSVEOgk7-nseDpLHyt8_1EziSW0jnbFf7_SuHoLUchfjrZBAD6keiyISqgLZ_nNy2clF/s320/SOLDIERS+ON+TRIAL+FOR+COMPLICITY+IN+PLATEAU+CRISIS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Some
soldiers are to face death penalty while others will go to jail for their
alleged links to Boko Haram. The soldiers affected are one lieutenant, one
warrant officer and 16 others. The General Court Martial has been trying them
since July 1 of this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Their
offences range from communicating with Boko Haram members, cowardly behaviour,
murder and manslaughter. They were being tried by the Three Armoured Division
as the case fell within its Area of Responsibility (AOR).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A source
from the military said that those soldiers who were sentenced to death actually
deserved the sentence because "for serving soldiers who swore to defend
the territorial integrity of Nigeria and Nigerians therein to be found
conniving with the enemies of Nigeria (Boko Haram) is a treasonable offence
which attracts capital punishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">"The
Boko Haram members do not hide their sinister agenda. They want to destabilise
the country. Everybody knows that. For soldiers to now secretly work with them
at the expense of the country is treasonable. And it is so treated."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the Division, Col. Texas Chukwu, stated
that he was preparing a formal speech in this regard, and that this might be
made public. The 18 accused soldiers are drawn from the 3rd Armoured Division,
Joint Task Force (JTF), otherwise known as Operation Restore Order from
Maiduguri and Special Task Force (STF) known as Operation Safe Haven, from
Plateau state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-28693140344329843462013-09-16T10:10:00.002-07:002013-09-16T10:10:31.611-07:00PRESIDENT JONATHAN MAY CONVENE A SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERERENCE<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="display: none; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hide: all;">Top of Form<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDwHc4ngrwlbuTTqi7OPOCwXT86Yry0ExOKKRGKO4ocTO91I1GcaZgyhhc7f9fMf64BsGxeVoUw3Pj2KrlqzZzhZt3_lUhBVu983y3KyF6uFbdhIQnhEgXHBrywAaNcSGpytDzRsCvuZa/s1600/GEJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDwHc4ngrwlbuTTqi7OPOCwXT86Yry0ExOKKRGKO4ocTO91I1GcaZgyhhc7f9fMf64BsGxeVoUw3Pj2KrlqzZzhZt3_lUhBVu983y3KyF6uFbdhIQnhEgXHBrywAaNcSGpytDzRsCvuZa/s1600/GEJ.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">THERE are indications that President Goodluck
Jonathan may soon consider the option of a national sovereign national
conference to douse political tension ahead 2015 presidential elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> A group of political leaders from the
South East and South South geopolitical zones were said to have prevailed on
the President to wield it as master stroke that would put a stop to the crisis
within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the current political
instability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The group, made up of hardcore
supporters of the President, said immediate convocation of a Sovereign National
Conference among the 389 ethnic nationalities, would douse the tension in the
polity and cause combatants in the political arena to pause and think as all
component groups in the country take advantage of the platform, where the basis
of Nigeria’s existence will be “fully discussed and agreed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> They are also advising the President
that, in case his convoying a SNC makes it difficult for him to run for second
term in 2015, he should work to hand over to a President from either the Middle
Belt (North Central) or the South East geopolitical zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The memo, which is receiving “serious
considerations” from President Jonathan, also said the SNC is needed to put a
stop to the “blackmail and balkanisation” of the PDP, and give the President
“the needed Plan B and C whereby he would shame his critics and stop the
domination of Presidential politics by any group or region.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Presidency sources in the know of the
“strong memo to the President” canvases that President Jonathan should “think
seriously of convoking Sovereign National Conference in which he will be the
one to midwife it. It will bring out a “We, the people...” constitution, which
would be an answer to the agitations of Nigerians for a forum to decide on how
they want to live. After the SNC, if he contests and wins, he will be a
national hero.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The group, however, said the move
would be the best way to strengthen and deepen Nigerianism. “This makes sense
because the South East has not produced a Nigerian President. They have always
been denied this opportunity. Only recently, they were allowed to get the
office of the Chief of Army Staff and leadership of key Ministries, Departments
and Agencies (MDAs).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> “For the minorities of the Middle
Belt, they have always succeeded in keeping Nigeria one. If the office of the
President is aimed at satisfying the North, it should be to the Middle Belt
minorities and not go to those who have not only produced dictators and a
civilian President.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Though President Jonathan is
yet to give his reply to the contents of the memo “sent by some of his loyal
supporters”, he is studying it and would soon give his decision to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Jonathan has said that while he does
not oppose a SNC, he feels that because of constitutional issues, it is better
for the nation to have a national dialogue. But the new push, which is quickly
gaining converts within his administration, is a direct move to permanently
change the political history of the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> On Thursday, August 30, 2013,
President Jonathan affirmed the belief of his administration in the rights of
the nation’s constituent parts to come together to discuss how they will
continue to live in peace and unity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The President told a delegation of
The Patriots, which submitted a memorandum, which, among others, demanded the
convocation of a sovereign national conference to discuss Nigeria’s future,
that the issue of Nigerians coming together to discuss their future should not
be out of place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> He admitted that there have been
discussions within his government on how to create an acceptable and workable
platform for a national dialogue that will reinforce the ties that bind the
country’s many ethnic nationalities and ensure that Nigeria’s immense diversity
continues to be a source of strength and greatness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> According to Jonathan, “the
limitation we have is that the Constitution appears to have given that
responsibility to the National Assembly. I have also been discussing the matter
with the leadership of the National Assembly. We want a situation where
everyone will key into the process and agree on the way forward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Leader of The Patriots, Prof Nwabueze
stated that the sovereign national conference should be convened before 2015
elections because the 1999 Constitution was not prepared by the people but a
schedule to Decree 24.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Calling for a new constitution
derived from the people, the renowned constitutional lawyer noted: “We have
done our own research and we have in this country 389 ethnic nationalities. We
need to bring these nationalities around a conference table to discuss how we
are going to live together as one country – in peace, in stability, in security
– as one country with the aim of achieving national unity. But as of today, we
are not a nation yet. We are a state. This conference should be convened as a
matter of priority as soon as possible, in any event before the 2015 general
elections.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> On the position of the National
Assembly that there is no need for a sovereign conference since there is an
elected National Assembly in place, Nwabueze said: “It is important that what
the National Assembly is putting forward is their powers under sections
8&9, which is to alter the Constitution. Power to alter is not as important
as the power to abolish what you are altering and to replace it completely. It
must be directly from the people and that is the position of, at least, 85 per
cent of the countries of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> “If you read Section 1(1) of the
Decree these are all preambles to that decree and the 1999 Constitution that
you are talking about, it is a schedule to Decree 24. Repeal the decree and the
constitution will disappear and you enact a brand new constitution, which would
derive its authorities from the people. That was done in 1963 when we adopted
the Republican Constitution to replace the Independence Constitution. That 1960
Constitution was also a schedule to British Order-In -Council just as the 1999
Constitution, is a schedule to the Decree 24.” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">THE GUARDIAN</span></div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-55426085417719884502013-09-05T16:16:00.004-07:002013-09-05T16:16:53.907-07:00PROCEDURE FOR DRAFTING AN ENTIRELY NEW CONSTITUTION<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The current
Senate has, on its own, proposed an amendment to Section 9 of our Constitution
which deals with the ‘Mode of altering provisions of the Constitution’. The
Senators are proposing to add several sub-sections to this section which will
effectively give the National Assembly the powers to draft and enact an
entirely new constitution for Nigeria. This proposal has never been subjected
to a debate in a plenary session of any of the two NASS chambers nor at a
public hearing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The 49-Member Senate
Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution introduced this proposal as
the very first item on their list of proposed amendments for deliberation. On
page 11 of their report to the Senate, the Committee wrote:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 1cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
“The Committee feels
there is the need to make an elaborate provision in Section 9 of the
Constitution for a procedure to bring an entirely new Constitution into being.
This is predicated on the belief that the incremental approach to
constitutional amendment may not be sustainable in the long run. The need may
arise in the future for a whole new document.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Committee
therefore proposed the insertion of 14 new sub-sections to the current Constitution
that provision as follows:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That for the purpose of altering the provisions
in the 1999 Constitution, the President’s assent shall not be required;</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the NASS may propose a new Constitution for
the Federation;</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the new constitution shall come into effect
in the manner stipulated in 4 to 14 below;</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That there shall be a Senate and House of Reps
committee to be known as Joint Constitution Drafting Committee (JCDC);</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the JCDC shall consist of 2 members from
each State (one each from the Senate and House of Reps) and 2 members
representing the FCT (one from the Senate and one from the House of Reps);</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the Senate President and House of Reps
Speaker shall appoint the JCDC chairman.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the JCDC shall produce a draft Constitution
and submit same to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Reps.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the Draft Constitution shall be presented
to both Houses of the NASS within 3 months as receipt of the JCDC Report.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That if approved by 2/3 of the members of both
Houses of the NASS, the Report shall be forwarded to all 36 State Houses of
Assembly</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That State Assemblies shall vote on each section
of the Draft Constitution, requiring just a simple majority to pass each
section, while 2/3 of the State Assemblies shall be required to pass a section
for it to make it into the proposed Constitution.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->When State Assemblies return the Draft
Constitution, the Clerk of the NASS shall ensure that State Assemblies have
complied with the provisions of this section.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the Clerk of the NASS shall then circulate
the Draft Constitution to each member of the NASS and also forward copies to
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->13.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That the INEC shall, within 6 months, conduct a
referendum for the approval or otherwise of the Draft Constitution.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->14.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That if the Draft Constitution receives a simple
majority of votes cast in 2/3 of the States of the Federation, it shall come
into force as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This proposed
amendment to the current Constitution throws up many issues that would require
very careful study. It also throws up many questions that would need answers
before a decision is taken whether the amendment should be allowed or not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Firstly, the
Senate constitution review committee did not give a convincing reason for
seeking empowerment for the NASS to draft and enact entirely new constitutions
for the country. The portion of their report quoted said the need for the NASS
to be so empowered is hinged on “the incremental approach to constitutional
amendment which may not be sustainable in the long run.” I find this argument
hollow, shallow and unconvincing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Secondly, the
NASS would like to grant itself powers to both draft and enact new
Constitution. It may be in order for enact the document, but should they also
draft it? Why should the drafting not be left for a separate committee that
more broadly represents the people? The powers of drafting and enacting a new
Constitution should not be vested in the same body. The legislators were
elected to make laws primarily. The mandate given to them by the people cannot
be construed to include the people’s sovereignty to make draft a fundamental governing
document like a Constitution. Also, 2 legislators per State is far too small a
representation for our huge population and diversity of opinion, culture,
geography, religion and aspirations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Thirdly, the
Senate proposed to dispense of a presidential assent to the new Constitution
while they granted themselves the prerogative of drafting the document, debating
on it and approving it. If they were sincere, they would have also removed the
need for the NASS to tamper with the draft, provided such a draft emanated from
the people. This point proves that they cannot be the drafters of any new
Constitution. Even after State Assemblies have passed new provisions, the NASS
wishes to arrogate to itself powers to still decide if what the State
Assemblies have done is acceptable to them or not. Then the final document
could not be said to be a Constitution which the people of Nigeria have decided
to give themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fourthly, the
popular practise the world over is for constitutional drafting to be done by
representatives of the people elected purely for that purpose. However, in the
proposed amendment, the NASS wishes to usurp the people’s powers to give
themselves a Constitution. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fifthly, the
requirement of a simple majority as proposed for section by section State
Assembly debates is unheard of in the process of Constitution drafting. The
minimum requirement the world over tends to be 60% and above. The simple
majority requirement as proposed is a ploy to ensure that State Assemblies very
easily pass whatever the NASS has done. For example, a sizeable of opposition
to a section of up to 59% will still not be able to quash the NASS proposals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In conclusion,
Nigerians are urged to oppose the proposed amendment that will empower the NASS
to draft and enact new Constitutions for Nigeria. The acceptable amendment
should be one that recommends the election of hundreds of representatives to constitute
an independent constitutional drafting committee. The acceptable amendment
should also specify that the NASS shall not tamper with the resulting draft
Constitution but enact it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
James Pam, 04
September, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jamespam2004@yahoo.com </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-35674324913373845382013-09-05T14:46:00.001-07:002013-09-05T14:46:27.070-07:00ABOLISHING REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS WAS A MISTAKE<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px;">“Scrapping of local government councils is not the issue, Nigeria should go back to the regional system of government where six regions should be the federating units.” Alhaji Balarabe Musa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In a nation-wide
broadcast on 24 May, 1966, Gen. J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, Chairman, Supreme
Military Council, announced the abolishment of the then existing three Regional
Governments of Southern Region, Eastern Region and Northern Region through the
promulgation of Military Decree No. 5. By the same Decree, the prefix ‘Federal’
in the name of our country was dispensed of. Our country’s name became simply
the “Republic of Nigeria”. In the words of the General, the old Provinces become
the administrative units for governance. He concluded his speech by saying, “The
provisions of the Decree are intended to remove the last vestiges of the
intense regionalism of the recent past, and to produce the cohesion in the
governmental structure which is so necessary in achieving and maintaining the
paramount objective of the National Military Government, and indeed, every true
Nigerian, namely, national unity.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gowon ended the reign
of the Provinces when he created 12 States in May 1967. The country has since gone
through several Military Decrees and Acts of different Parliaments which have given
us our present structure of 36 State Governments, the Federal Capital Territory
FCT and 774 Local Governments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was born a few years
before our Independence and have grown knowing nothing else but intense rivalry
between all Nigerians on three fronts, namely, ethnicity, regionalism and
religion. My observation tells me that that rivalry continues to intensify by the
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In the 1980s we did not
object to our States of NYSC posting. We simply went there and made the best of
the one year national service. Today, requests for redeployment are the order
of the day for reasons of religious or ethnic or geographical dislike. Today, my
children cannot pick up jobs in the companies I worked in the 80s for reasons
of religious, ethnic and geographical incompatibility. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Neighborhoods</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> in which
I had bosom friends and could enter and have a good meal are today ‘no-go’
areas for me because I am no more welcome there and because I am concerned for
my personal security. Friends I could trust with my family before, I can no longer
trust even to deliver a common letter to them. I, therefore, cannot find the
justification in Gen. Ironsi’s optimism in “cohesion in governmental structure”
or “national unity” and therefore I have remained an unrepentant regionalist. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, Christians are migrating
out of the north-eastern parts of the country due to direct and open physical
attacks on them. Fulani herdsmen are having too many clashes with their host
communities all over Nigeria. The settler/indigene syndrome has resulted in
deadly clashes in many parts of Nigeria. The National Assembly is currently
considering the removal of all references to ethnicity in our Constitution. One
of the contentious political issues in the ruling Party, the Peoples’
Democratic Party, is the rotation of the presidency between the regions of the
country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For any Government in
Nigeria, whether Federal, State or Local, to pass a law that installs any
religion as the official religion is a constitutional violation. Yet twelve
State Governments in Nigeria have done just that in blatant violation of our
Constitution with no one challenging them in Court. Government sponsorship of
religious pilgrimages is as unconstitutional as the enthronement of State
religion, yet all Nigerian States are engaged in this act. Part II, Section 10
of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states
categorically and without equivocation that, “The Government of the Federation
or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion.” States that have
passed Shariah Laws have violated this section and also Section 38 - Right to freedom
of thought, conscience and religion, Sub-sections (1), (2), (3) & (4), and
Section 42 - Right to freedom from discrimination, Sub-sections (1), (a) &
(b).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My readers should not
get me wrong. I am not about to advocate for the balkanisation of Nigeria into
several sovereign States. To the contrary, I want us to avoid that by all
means. Unfortunately, many of our actions and utterances suggest that we prefer
disintegration while preaching unity with our lips. Breaking up into several
countries like Yugoslavia did is not desirable. Nigeria should remain one
country but with an internal governmental arrangement that recognizes our
natural cleavages and </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">capitalizes</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> on them for foster peace and rapid
development. Refusing to give these natural phenomena recognition and our </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">pretense</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> that we shall somehow surmount them someday baffles me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A true federal
structure for us is one with a few, say 6 or 8, fairly autonomous regional
governments. Greater regional resource control, pursuit of developmental
objectives as dictated by natural regional needs and the creation of
opportunities for the exploitation of naturally endowed capacities should go along
with this suggested structure. This is the panacea for optimum and sustainable economic
growth as opposed to the current monthly sharing of revenue from one wasting
asset - petroleum. This suggestion will guarantee self-determination, which is
an instinctive desire of all human beings. Demands for the convocation of a
‘Sovereign National Conference’ by Prof. Wole Soyinka and many others, the demand
for true federalism and the devolution of powers by Prof. Ben Magbueze, Chief
Emeka Anyoku and many others give credence to my suggestions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Recent write ups by many eloquent Nigerians
have helped to re-enforce my belief in the concept of regionalism as the best
governmental structure for Nigeria. I will make reference to some of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An article was recently written by Okey
Ndibe and titled, “Lagos Deportations & the Crisis of Citizenship”. Okey
Nidibe is a professor, novelist, essayist and political columnist who works at
Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. While commenting on the recent
deportations of some Igbo people by the Lagos State Government from Lagos to
their State of origin, he said the episode “has underlined the shakiness of the
idea of one Nigeria.” He added that “a policy that forcibly removes undesirable
citizens from their State of residency to their State of origin does grave
violence to the concept of national unity... More than fifty years into our
game of pretending we have a nation; ethnic identity pretty much trumps every
other consideration. For many Nigerians, ethnicity is not merely a virtue, it
is the sole virtue.” He captures exactly what I am saying – that we are, first
and foremost, ethnic bigots before being compulsory Nigerians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Section 41(1) of our Constitution
provides that, “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout
Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof....” Therefore, regarding the recent
Lagos State deportations and all other earlier internal deportations, my
conviction is that they were unconstitutional and criminal acts against the
victims. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another recent write up by Ayo Teriba was
titled, “Confronting Inter-regional Disparities in Nigeria”. Ayo Teriba is a
one-time </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Chief
Economist and member of the Editorial Board of Thisday who is now the Chief
Executive of Economic Associates. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In his article, Teriba used statistical
data on the natural endowments of the six geo-political zones of the country,
their revenue generating capacity, their consumption patterns, their federally
allocated funds and their populations to prove the grave error in our
developmental plans. My reading of his writing is that he is saying Nigeria
would be better governed and developed along regional lines. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The third article I will refer to is written by a blogger,
Adeola Aderounmu. In 2011 he posted, “Nigeria right from the onset is a
political error and an occurrence facilitated by the selfish (and probably
stupid) thinking of the colonial masters. How can people and ethnic groups that
have nothing in common be formed into one country? Intelligence was deducted
when such economic and political decisions were formulated. The stupidity of
the creation of Nigeria would have been neutralized by a purposeful leadership.
But what Nigeria got since 1960 has been a series of governments dominated by
tribalism, nepotism and massive corruption... Nigeria remains one country just
to serve the corrupt cabal... We should support a return to regional
governments similar to what we had in those days.... It is time for each region
to determine how it wants to run itself using its own economic, human and
natural resources. It is time to take the power away from the centre. Let us
return it to the regions where it will be possible to manage and even uproot
corruption. It is absolutely useless to remain like this.” I </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">couldn't</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> have put
it more aptly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My fourth and last reference will be to Dr. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yusufu Turaki,
Professor of Theology and Social Ethics, Jos ECWA Theological Seminary. In a
paper titled, “Historical Roots of Crises and Conflicts in Nigeria with
Reference to Northern Nigeria and Kaduna State”, he opines that ethnic
nationalities and militants are not driven by national, political and economic
principles, but by their own core values, which are usually at variance with
national values. He contends that we have relied too much on social scientists to
proffer solutions to political, economics, educational and religious problems to
no avail. The evidence is that Nigeria is getting worse and deeper into the
quagmire. He surmises that great nations of this world made it by making deliberate
effort to define and transform their ethnography, geography, religion and
culture to make it viable and conducive for development and transformation. Therefore,
for us to develop and be transformed, we must address and transform our primary
and primordial social factors, harness their potentials, tame their excesses
and develop harmony, balance and unity in and out of them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The arguments for the restoration of regional
governments are strong, numerous and overwhelming. Regional governments are the
best platform for the avoidance of disintegration and the promotion of rapid
economic and social development. To go on the way we are now would be foolhardiness.
Certainly, the rapid development envisaged will not be equal in all the Regions.
But we shall share across regional boundaries as each Region </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">specializes</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> in
areas they have comparative advantage. Our legislators will oppose such an
arrangement not because they have better ideas but simply because they will be
its first major casualties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Regionalism and a unicameral system didn't fail us.
We failed in its implementation. It is cost-effective and easy to operate,
making it most appropriate for our present state of development. The Presidential
system we adopted from the USA, with its huge Presidency and a bi-cameral
parliament is a very wasteful over-duplication of administrative structures.
Given our 36 States and 774 Local Governments, the </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">canker-worms</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> of ethnicity and
religious bigotry can only be ferociously fed into maturity and implosion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Whenever I hear the cliché, ‘Unity in diversity’
being used, I wonder if the speaker has thought of the meaning of these words
and if he has seen any evidence of this in Nigeria. Let us stop saying things
just to be politically right. Brazil, Malaysia Indonesia and others are
supposed to be our peers in terms of developmental and social achievements, but
we are lagging far behind them. Now is the time to act decisively. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">James
Pam, 26 August, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">jamespam2004@yahoo.com<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-14186723049617326542013-08-13T06:28:00.003-07:002013-08-13T06:28:56.119-07:00Plateau state signs N1.35b MoU on land management<div class="itemHeader" style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<span class="itemImage" style="border: 0px none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Plateau state signs N1.35b MoU on land management" src="http://www.viewpointnigeria.com/media/k2/items/cache/fd2436c23111d947c615d80fa5115911_M.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 390px; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px !important; width: 500px;" /></span><div class="clr" style="border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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Plateau state Government on Monday signed a N1.35 billion memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the upgrade of the Plateau Geographical Information System with a private firm Teqbridge Ltd. The commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Mr Yilji Gomwalk signed on behalf of Plateau state Government while Chiemeka Ngwu the Managing director of Teqbridge signed for the company.</div>
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Gomwalk while speaking at the occasion described the event as significant for the effective running of the ministry and management of lands in the state. He said "Today is very significant to us as a state government and the lands ministry, seeing the signing of this MoU of N1.35 billion contract coming to pass after approval by Gov. Jonah Jang. This is the beginning of good things to come in our effort to have very smooth management of landed properties in the state. We are optimistic that by the time the project is completed, the issuance of certificates of occupancy (C-of-O) and rights of occupancy (R-of-O) will be done without any problem''.</div>
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The commissioner added that other ministries would key into the project for data storage and collection. He also called on the company to ensure effective execution of the projection and adherence to the agreement while keeping to deadlines.</div>
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Ngwu while responding thanked the state Government and ministry for the opportunity given to carry out the project. He said "What I can promise is that Tedbridge , in conjunction with our partner, Thomson Reuters, will deliver not just on time but a high quality international standard upgrade. "We are not going to give you your C-of-O in months, but this is going to come in days by the time we are through with our job. If there is any emergency C-of-O that needed to come up and there is no problem of survey and property issues, other than creating the certificate, it can be gotten within hours".</div>
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The managing director added that with the signing the MoU, the state Government has laid a solid base for social and economic transformation through massive land distribution.</div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-36032636045318159092013-08-03T11:51:00.002-07:002013-08-03T11:51:51.841-07:00BOKO HARAM: THE MOST DEADLY POISON OF NIGERIA<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">by DAPAR SATMAK ALEXANDER</strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">N</strong>igeria is undoubtedly passing through one of its most debilitating and enervating moments. In fact, Nigerians has never known peace since the emergence of Boko Haram, a terrorist organization that literarily means “western education is sacrilege”. Nigerians have perpetually lived in deep fear and apprehension because of the deadly scourge of this dreaded group whose sole aim is to antagonize western education and democratic structures. This group of deadly insurgents have killed, maimed, and destroyed valuables in horrifying proportions. Apparently not satisfied with their utterly diabolical movement, they keep increasing in unquantifiable dimension and keep killing on a massive scale. I have watched their activities closely, and I have come to the logical conclusion that these insurgents are the greatest enemies of our dear country Nigeria and enemies of democratic progress. I condemn in the strongest possible terms, their heinous, barbaric, diabolical and sinister activities. They have truncated development, shattered peaceful co-existence, ruined the destinies of people, instilled incurable pain in many hearts, sabotaged concerted efforts towards growth and development, stoked the flames of division across religious line, and as well made life short, brutish, and fraught with numerous uncertainties. </div>
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By and large, Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora have directly and indirectly tasted the bitter pills and did bear the brunt of Boko Haram insurgency. It is unhelpful at this time that we need peace as a matter of urgency to effectively and efficiently contribute to nation building and make our dear country stand tall in the comity of nations. </div>
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At this juncture, I sincerely salute the courage of President Goodluck Jonathan for fearlessly confronting the evil and satanic menace of Boko Haram by declaring a state of emergency in three Northern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa considered to be the strongest spiritual base of the insurgents. This giant stride and worthy development is a step in the right direction and capable of curbing the recklessness and menace. </div>
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To a large extent, the military blitzkrieg and onslaught going on there is yielding fruits as we are seeing the gradual return of order and stability.</div>
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Ironically, despite the fact that Muslim faithful all over the globe are observing a 1 month fasting and prayer to commemorate the peaceful and holy month of Ramadan, some agents of destabilization are still bent on unleashing terror on innocent people. These insurgents have killed students, youth corpers, old men and women, children, pastors, Islamic clerics, and even foreign nationals. Nobody is left out of their wrath. They have bombed churches, government establishments, destroyed telecommunication installations, attacked journalists, burnt down schools, destroyed media outlets, looted money in banks, destroyed police stations and carted away with sophisticated weapons meant to be used to engender security. Certainly, these are not the best of times for Nigerians. Some have been rendered sick, homeless, hopeless, poverty-stricken, and slaves. These are not friends of Nigeria. These bloody murderers are more blinder than the bat, utterly visionless, grossly unpatriotic, blatant retrogressive and saboteurs. They are standing on the wrong side of history. I cry for my dearly beloved country Nigeria. I wholeheartedly sympathize with those affected from the unsavory activities of our enemies. I encourage our people to be more vigilant. I equally encourage the government not to rest on its oars in flushing these agents of darkness out of our land. </div>
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(Culled from viewpointnnigeria.com)</div>
Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-3136393509201985302013-08-03T11:48:00.000-07:002013-08-03T11:48:01.889-07:00CRISIS HITS FAKE GOVERNOR'S FORUM<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Crisis is currently rocking the Governor Jonah Jang faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Investigations showed that some governors in the faction are grumbling over happenings in the forum.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A governor, who belongs to this fake Governor's Forum faction, said that some of them are not happy with what he called the “over-bearing influence of one of us.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCEOaniiC_d7sckznpVVfxWj2qpms-_4lq5bTmei9jtliSJ7h6_rLLzyPqJTRvBHBYDTz9sYmsxeQpG-xSRhjFRLwnmuqJc5QJv4x1EltIJv-L58Wpxv0WOe5YZE3D27rtgWeCg46Ze2Y/s1600/Fake+Governors+Forum+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCEOaniiC_d7sckznpVVfxWj2qpms-_4lq5bTmei9jtliSJ7h6_rLLzyPqJTRvBHBYDTz9sYmsxeQpG-xSRhjFRLwnmuqJc5QJv4x1EltIJv-L58Wpxv0WOe5YZE3D27rtgWeCg46Ze2Y/s320/Fake+Governors+Forum+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="" name="more"></a><br />The governor told Punch that with what is happening, it might be difficult for the forum to meet its target. He said, “As I speak, the strategic committee, which we named ‘Think Thank Committee,’ has not been able to meet. Members of the committee, headed by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, have not met even once.<br /><br />“Apart from Akwa Ibom, other states in the committee are Delta, Katsina, Abia and Bauchi.”<br /><br />Besides, the governors were said to have been divided over several letters written to different embassies by its Sole Administrator, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, informing them about the “change in the NGF leadership.”<br /><br />In the letters, Onaiwu informed the embassies not to attend to letters written by Bayo Okauru, the Director General of Gov Rotimi Amaechi's authentic faction.<br /><br />But at a hurriedly called meeting of the forum, which was held at the Benue Governor’s Lodge in Abuja last week, majority of the governors were said to have frowned at the attempt to make their disagreement with Governor Amaechi, who actually defeated Governor Jang, an international issue.<br /><br />The aggrieved governors are of the opinion that the international community can never accept 16 as winner over 19. Thus, majority of the governors are said to be against the action of their DG, Osaro Onaiwu.<br /><div>
<br />At a point, one of the governors was said to have asked who employed Onaiwu since he had not been given any employment letter.<br /><br />A governor at the event said, “We resolved that it was wrong for him to have done all those things without our consent and moreover, we have not employed him as our DG.<br /><br />“We know that we are making moves to resolve this matter and at the end of the day, we would all come together under one umbrella. That is why we scolded him.”<br /><br />It was also gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan was under an intense pressure to recognise Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the chairman of the NGF. Jonathan is seriously considering the options.</div>
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(Culled from olufamous.com)</div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-49043905860918548162013-07-25T15:36:00.001-07:002013-07-25T15:36:24.466-07:00THE NORTH, DECEITS & ILLUSIONS OF 2015<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suite 21, Silla Zeka Plaza, Adebayo Adedeji Crescent, Utako, Abuja<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Web: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.middlebeltdialogue.com/"><b>www.middlebeltdialogue.com</b></a><b><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Email: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="mailto:info@middlebeltdialogue.com"><b>info@middlebeltdialogue.com</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">July 24, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
“North”, deceit and Illusions of 2015<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our attention has been drawn to the
activities and pronouncements of the Governors of Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and
Niger States who have been going round the country inciting tension and
division with the obvious intention of destabilizing the government of
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The objective of these activities, as they themselves
trumpeted is to get a “northerner” by which they mean Hausa Fulani, replace
President Jonathan in 2015, or even by any means possible</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After meeting with Rivers State Governor
Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi in controversial circumstances aimed at inciting
tension between the Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria, the group proceeded
to Abeokuta to see General Olusegun Obasanjo and therefter to Minna to meet
with Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalam Abubakar to “report” President
Goodluck Jonathan. They reportedly asked the two Generals to intervene in a way
that will make “our dreams become</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> a </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">reality”.
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the man who annulled the June 12 elections
and championed the northern consensus programme that excluded Dr. Sarah Jibril,
thereafter declared them patriots for their actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is obvious to see the direction these
people are coming from. Like Ango Abdullahi and a few others crying themselves
hoarse about “it is the turn of the North</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">(arewa)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> in
2015” it is inconceivable and totally unacceptable to them to be out of power
“for so long” . As far as they are concerned only them should rule Nigeria,
notwithstanding the fact that the Hausa Fulani North have had as President and Prime
Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , Alhaji Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari, and
Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar Adua. They have had, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Alhaji Namadi
Mohammed Sambo as Vice Presidents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">General Obasanjo of the South West was
President for eight years, and Yar ‘Adua’s eight years would not have been
debated if God had not ruled otherwise by allowing the cold hands of death on
May 5, 2010</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> to snatch him away from us</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. Yar’ Adua’s
erstwhile Deputy, from one of the many minority ethnic groups naturally
contested and, thanks to the support from his native South South, South East,
Middle Belt and South West, won the 2011 Presidential Election. This is the first
time Nigeria’s Leader has emerged from the South South. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For Aliyu Muazu Babangida, the man who
voted against President Goodluck Jonathan during the PDP Primaries and in the
2011 general elections, Jonathan should not have been elected in the first place
and anything done to get him out as quickly as possible is patriotism, hence
the desperation. It would have been funny were it not so rude, incorrect and
based on a flawed understanding of the dynamics playing out in Nigeria today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Secondly the patriotism which these
gentlemen were adorned</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> with</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> by General Ibrahim Babangida must be
based on the recent “disgrace” they meted out to Governor David Jonah Jang.
Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">former </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Right
Honourable Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, when Babangida was
military president gloated that they
played politics on Jang and President Jonathan, when he, Kwankwaso at a meeting
presided </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">over </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">by Aliyu Babangida, and attended by
other northern Governors, nominated Jang as consensus candidate for the NGF
chairmanship only to dump him a few hours after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hapless Jang, who had no intention of
contesting for the chairmanship of the NGF, was left stranded</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">? or so they wished</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.How will this not be patriotism to
General Ibrahim Babangida? During Babangida’s transition to civil rule
programme General Yakubu Gowon had the same Jang treatment meted to him when he
was asked to start his option A4 presidential bid from Zaria. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is more? Kwankwaso gleefully
related what happened to the media and said they wanted to teach Jonathan
politics. To nominate someone who was not interested in an office with the
intention of disgracing him shows how honourable Kwankwaso really is. And
Jang’s constituency, the Middle Belt, is supposed to be amused by such a shoddy
treatment of our own? We are supposed to nod our heads enthusiastically when
the establishment cries “there is only one indivisible north”! Besides, can
these Honourable men whose words don’t mean anything to them be trusted when
they speak of one north? How will you know when they want to teach politics and
when they are telling the truth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A section of the North overwhelming</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">ly</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
voted for Buhari in 2011. As a matter of fact Kwankwaso in Kano printed
campaign posters with the pictures of Buhari superimposed</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> on them</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. Aliyu Muazu and Murtala Nyako voted for Buhari in
the 2011 elections. The President got about 18% of the votes in Kano. Yet President Goodluck Jonathan has bent</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> surprisingly</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> backward to accommodate and make them the mainstay
of his government. The fact that they nominated most ministers and senior
political appointees has not satisfied them. They are working</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> assiduosly hard</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> to throw him out before the end of his
tenure</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We reaffirm our position that post-Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan presidency is for the Middle Belt. We in the Middle Belt do not
agree with the agitation that power should leave the Niger Delta now. By the
natural reconfiguration of the zoning formula as a result of the natural death
of President Umaru Musa Yar Adua, the Niger Delta is still supported by the
Middle Belt to conclude its eight year tour of duty. It is significant to note
that the artificial security challenges created by those who said that they
would make the country ungovernable are being addressed; the railway lines
which stopped working during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida
have slowly</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> but steadily</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> started to work; massive power
transmission lines are being installed across the country. In terms of
performance therefore, those persecuting Jonathan cannot claim to have
performed as much as he has</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> let alone say better.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On Governor Amaechi and the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">orchestrated </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tension in Rivers State, we wish to align ourselves with
the advice given to him by Yinka Odumakin, and echoed by the South South
Peoples Assembly; We wish to remind him that those who ride on the tiger</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> back</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
end up in its belly. Those who are clapping for him now to weaken and</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> or</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
undermine President Jonathan love him only to the extent that he keeps
undermining Jonathan. Not long from now they will give him the Gowon, Abiola
and Jang treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amaechi and his </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">cohorts</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
should remember how the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) used Akintola to
weaken Awolowo’s support base in the early 1960s; The people of South South are</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> not </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> so unwise calculators that will prefer the number two position of
Governor Adams Oshiomhole or Rotimi Amaechi to</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
number one? Come on! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We wish to<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">remind the South South citizens that the
Northern agenda, as championed by these Governors, is to use a southerner to
destroy a southerner and nothing more. These characters lauded as patriots are
but cheap traitors running an </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">unpopular</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
script</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> that is doomed to fail</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.A word is enough for the wise.</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Abi-O.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Honourable
Aminu Zang<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member,
House of Representatives </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">-</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">199</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">3</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
the Secretariat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573944270712850658.post-48100761591168640172013-06-27T09:58:00.000-07:002013-06-27T09:58:02.069-07:00HIGHEST PAID 'LEGIS-LOOTERS' ON EARTH?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j_B4PgoHx3Y0oGkV5hUquVe6dksLB26DxadVNbo6_YIFwAgjLRbFbvZ5Bl4OpyBlKnqBltecSA4WPyS9cX5e27qYtf490BpCG94M4MdIuZSp6zgoHoKQZR1l6vuJ_3ylaOt_EgjaJJPw/s275/NATIONAL+ASSEMBLY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j_B4PgoHx3Y0oGkV5hUquVe6dksLB26DxadVNbo6_YIFwAgjLRbFbvZ5Bl4OpyBlKnqBltecSA4WPyS9cX5e27qYtf490BpCG94M4MdIuZSp6zgoHoKQZR1l6vuJ_3ylaOt_EgjaJJPw/s275/NATIONAL+ASSEMBLY.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
NIGERIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING</div>
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Nigerian Senators have been able to come out with a rebuttal of their purported remuneration as listed below which has gone viral among Nigerian social media enthusiasts:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">(The Nigerian Naira exchanges at the rate of about N160 to US$1.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">A Senator's Salary And Allowances In Nigeria </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Basic Salary (BS) = N2,484,245.50</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Hardship Allowance: 50% of Basic Salary = N1,242,122.75. Constituency allowance: 200% of BS = N4,968,509.00.<br />Furniture Allowance: 300% of BS = N7,452,736.50.<br />Newspaper allowance: 50% = N1,242,122.70.<br />Wardrobe allowance: 25% = N621,061.37.<br />Recess Allowance: 10% = N248,424.55.<br />Accommodation: 200% = N4,968,509.00.<br />Utilities: 30% = N828,081.83.<br />Domestic Staff: 35% = N863,184.12.<br />Entertainment: 30% = N828,081.83.<br />Personal Assistance: 25% = N621,061.37.<br />Vehicle Maintenance Allowance: 75% = N1,863,184.12.<br />Leave Allowance : 10% = N248,424.55<br />One off payments (Severance gratuity): 300% = N7,452,736.50. Motor Vehicle Allowance: 400% of BS = N9,936,982.00.</span>Jositehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07824025903839893078noreply@blogger.com0