By John Ndu

Anambra political leaders under aegis of Anambra State elders advisory council have urge the federal government to take proactive measures towards addressing the fundamental issues fueling the agitation for Biafra in the southeast by embracing the restructuring option being canvassed by prominent Nigerians and groups.

The elders said in a communiqué released after a closed-door meeting at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia on Friday, that a quick intervention by the federal government in the present

condition of the country and abysmal neglect of some geo-political zones will save Nigeria from plunging further into political crisis.

The communiqué produced after a five hour meeting was signed by the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth and Chairman of the Council, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Minister of Health, Dr. Tim Menakaya.

Other personalities at the meeting include the first female governor in Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba, the former chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke, Anambra State Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Okeke Ogene, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, among other personalities, including traditional rulers.

Reading the communiqué on behalf of the council, Anyaoku said the meeting was centered on the present state of affairs in the country, including the forthcoming November 18 governorship election in Anambra. The council observed that the incessant agitations by different ethnic groups were a result of the unequal distribution of resources where some regions are marginalised and relegated to the background.

“We firmly believe that there is no part of this country that does not benefit holistically from belonging to one large Nigerian; we therefore see agitations currently for a Republic of Biafra and potentially for a Niger Delta Republic and an Oduduwa Republic as manifestations of strong grievances by the agitators.

“In the case of Biafra induced by both perceived failure to heal the wounds of Civil War and continuing marginalisation of the South- East Zone by the federal government, and in the other two cases induced by a strong conviction that the present governance structure and performance of the federal government constitute a great obstacle to the development and self- fulfillment of their people”

The council traced the problem of Nigeria to the long invasion of the military, calling for a total paradigm shift from unitary structure to true federalism.

“The root cause of the under performance is the transformation of the country ’s structure of governance from true federalism carefully

negotiated and agreed in the 1960/63 Constitutions by the country’s founding fathers to the effectively unitary structure which arose from prolonged period of military intervention in the government of the country.

“There is urgent need for arresting this national drift through a restructuring of the country’s present governance architecture by returning to a true federalism based on fewer and more viable federating units.

“We are convinced that restructuring will usher in greater national cohesion and a more united country where all the citizens in the component regions can pursue their self fulfillment with equity and fairness”

“We call on the federal government, particularly the executive and legislature to urgently take steps to initiate the process of restructuring “

The council noted it had joined force with Ohanaeze Ndigbo in calling on the federal government to urgently address the quit notice given to the Igbo by the Northern youths.

Anyaoku called on Anambra people to avail themselves of the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility without disruptions in the November 18th governorship election.

The council commended the South-East governors for their strong will in promoting the unity and peace of Igbos, urging them to sustain their periodic meeting and further discuss other issues that would ensure oneness.

On zoning, the council observed that, “we see great value for peace and security in sustaining the zoning formula for political offices in the state as adopted by Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Anambra State and resolve respectively by the Traditional Rulers Council and Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), and call on candidates for the governorship election and their sponsoring political parties to eschew indecorous language and violence in their political campaigns.”

The council equally charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct an election for Anambra Central Senatorial District, to enable them benefit from every available distribution of resources.
Source: https://orientdailynews.com/anambra-elders-back-restructuring/
Seun Lalasticlala mynd44
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Good move. Everybody should have their say. No gagging or muzzling. Restructuring and devolution of power is in no way tantamount to disintegration or call for anarchy. It is only a primitive and deluded mind that sees war in the quest for change.