ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE BELT INDIGENES
NO. 31, TAFAWA BALEWA STREET, JOS
08156495692, 08037200640, 08036901250, 08036731300
07th March, 2014
TO ALL DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
WISHES AND DEMANDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE
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.
MOST PRESSING ISSUE
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.
Nigeria practiced true federalism
from Independence on 1st 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.
TRUE FEDERALISM
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.
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.
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.
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.
PROPOSED 3 FEDERATING UNITS (REGIONS) FROM THE NC ZONE
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.
1.
MIDDLE
BELT WEST REGION: 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.
2.
MIDDLE
BELT CENTRAL REGION: This would comprise of the FCT, Kogi State, Nassarawa
State, Benue State and Plateau State.
3.
MIDDLE
BELT EAST REGION: 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.
BENEFITS OF EMBRACING TRUE FEDERALISM
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
Militant insurgency creating security challenges
in the country will lose its relevance as regional governments satisfy their
people’s yearnings.
8.
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.
9.
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.
10.
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.
11.
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.
12.
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.
13.
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.
14.
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.
15.
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.
16.
A cheaper unicameral National Assembly will
emerge and save the country money which can go into developmental projects.
OUR POSITION
ON SOME OF THE 38 ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR DISCUSSION BY THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
|
S/N
|
ITEM
|
OUR POSITION
|
|
(1)
|
Political
Restructuring of the country: a. Political Federalism. b. Fiscal Federalism,
c. Definition of Federating Units: States or Geo-Political Zones
|
MERGE STATES WITH
SOME BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS INTO 12 SEMI-AUTONOMOUS REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, EACH
WITH ITS OWN CONSTITUTION IN TRUE FEDERALISM
|
|
(2)
|
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.
|
PARLIAMENTARY
SYSTEM WITH UNI-CAMERAL LEGISLATURE IN BOTH FEDERAL AND REGIONAL HOUSES OF
ASSEMBLYS AND PART-TIME LEGISLATORS
|
|
(3)
|
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;
|
EACH REGION TO SET
UP ANTI-GRAFT BODIES TOO. REMOVE IMMUNITY FOR ALL. RETAIN INDIGENESHIP IN
BOTH FEDERAL AND REGIONAL CONSTITUTIONS.
|
|
(4)
|
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.
|
RESIDUAL – i.e.
REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT. INCREASE NUMBER OF JUDICIAL
OFFICERS AND COURTS. INTRODUCE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM.
|
|
(5)
|
Democratization:
a. Deepening democracy; b. De-militarization of national psyche, c.
Democratic culture and orientation; d. Mechanisms for a more inclusive
participatory democracy.
|
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
|
|
(6)
|
Political parties,
God-fatherism and the challenges of internal Democracy:
|
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.
|
|
(7)
|
National Security
and Security Challenges: a Security Agencies: Review and re-design of
national security apparatus, b. Local Policing, c. Other security agencies.
|
|
|
(8)
|
State Creation and
Merger of States
|
MERGE STATES TO
CREATE 12 SEMI-AUTONOMOUS REGIONAL GOVTS WITH THEIR CONSTITUTIONS. BUT IF NOT
GRANTED THEN CREATE MORE STATES.
|
|
(9)
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
(10)
|
Health: a. Health
Policy, b. Investment in Health, c. Healthcare Delivery
|
GIVE FREE HEALTH
CARE TO THE ELDERLY AND INVALID.
|
|
(11)
|
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;
|
|
|
(12)
|
Restoring the
National Ethics, Morals and Core Values
|
|
|
(13)
|
Religion,
Secularism and the Secularity of the Nigerian State
|
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.
|
|
(14)
|
Agriculture, Food
Security and Rural Development; a. Decentralisation of National Agricultural
Policy; b. Grazing Reserves and Cattle Routes Demarcation.
|
WE REJECT GRAZING
RESERVES IDEA. NOMADIC HERDSMEN MUST SEDENTARIZE WITH GOVT HELP.
|
|
(15)
|
The Environment;
a. Environmental Degradation – flooding, soil erosion, oil spillage and
desertification; b. Climate change.
|
|
|
(16)
|
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.
|
|
|
(17)
|
Tenure of Public
officials: President, Governors, etc
|
ONE TERM OF 6 YRS
FOR PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS RECOMMENDED
|
|
(18)
|
The Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the challenges of conducting free
and fair elections.
|
IMPLEMENT UWAIS
REPORT ON APPOINTMENT OF INEC CHAIRMAN.
|
|
(19)
|
Population and
Credible National Census;
|
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.
|
|
(20)
|
Land use Act;
|
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.
|
|
(21)
|
Role of
Traditional Rulers and Institution in governance at national and local
levels;
|
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.
|
|
(22)
|
The Economy: a.
Poverty and wealth creation; b. Productivity; c. Diversification of the
economy; d. Industries and Industrialisation
|
PUT IN PLACE
LEGISLATION TO LIMIT CAPITAL BUDGET TO MIN 60% AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE TO
MAX 40% OF ANNUAL BUDGETS AT ALL GOVERNMENTAL LEVELS.
|
|
(23)
|
Oil and other
Mineral Resources Management, Exploration and Sharing mechanism;
|
DERIVATION
PRINCIPLE TO BE EXTENDED TO SOLID MINERALS PRODUCERS. NEGOTIATE NEW REVENUE
SHARING FORMULA. CREATE SOMPADEC FOR SOLID MINERALS.
|
|
(24)
|
Revenue Generation
and Mobilization
|
|
|
(25)
|
National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC);
|
INTRODUCE BASIC
MILITARY TRAINING & WEAPONS HANDLING. EXTEND PERIOD OF SERVICE TO 2
YEARS.
|
|
(26)
|
Gender issues;
|
PROVIDE FREE &
COMPULSORY EDUCATION TO THE GIRL CHILD UP TO THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.
|
|
(27)
|
Youth Unemployment
and Development issue;
|
CONTINUE WITH
YOUWIN SCHEME. BANKS TO GRANT LOANS TO GRADUATES FOR BUSINESS WHILE THEY
DEPOSIT THEIR CERTIFICATES.
|
|
(28)
|
Physically
Challenged Persons and National Development;
|
ESTABLISH GOODWILL
INDUSTRIES WHERE INVALIDS ARE EMPLOYED. GIVE THEM FREE EDUCATION AT ALL
LEVELS.
|
|
(29)
|
Investment in
Sports
|
|
|
(30)
|
Boundary
adjustment;
|
SET UP COMMISSION
TO LISTEN TO ALL DEMANDS FOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT.
|
|
(31)
|
National inland
waterways issues;
|
|
|
(32)
|
Elective Mayoralty
Administrative/Legislative Structures for FCT, Abuja
|
WE REJECT MAYORALTY
FOR THE FCT. GIVE IT FULL STATE STATUS AND MERGE IT WITH PROPOSED MIDDLE BELT
CENTRAL REGIONAL GOVERNMENT.
|
|
(33)
|
Special status for
Lagos;
|
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.
|
|
(34)
|
Unsettled issues
of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970);
|
|
|
(35)
|
Revising Bakassi;
|
|
|
(36)
|
Languages and
Language Policy;
|
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.
|
|
(37)
|
Pension Matters
and Rights of Senior Citizens;
|
SENIOR CITIZENS
MUST BE PUT ON SOCIAL WELLFARE AND ENJOY FREE MEDICAL CARE.
|
|
(38)
|
Federal Character
|
TO BE RETAINED AT
FEDERAL LEVEL WHILE REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS OBSERVE REGIONAL CHARACTER.
|
We wish you very fruitful
deliberations.
Yours sincerely,
For: ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE BELT INDIGENES
Hon. Da Toma
Jang Davou Nde Phillip Gompang Comrade
Pius Attah
Chairman Org. Secretary Treasurer
(Plateau State) (Plateau
State) (Benue
State)
Barr. Sam
Abimiku Rev.
James Pam Barr.
Shanka G. Andrew
Legal Adviser (1) Secretary Legal
Adviser (2)
(Nassarawa State) (Plateau
State) (Gombe
State)
Barr.
Emmanuel Yavala Barr. Sule Kwasau
Finance Committee Logistics
Committee
(Taraba State) (Kaduna
State)
