BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, SONI DANIEL & HENRY UMORU

…We agree with S-West on six regions — Ohanaeze scribe

LAGOS—NORTHERN leaders, Sunday, spurned Yoruba leaders’ agitation for regional autonomy and a return to the parliamentary system of government, describing the clamour as a recipe for Nigeria’s disintegration.

Yoruba elders under  the banner of Yoruba National Assembly, YNA, had after a meeting in Ibadan last Thursday, canvassed a return to the parliamentary system of government and granting of regional autonomy to the South-West.

They also called for removal of the immunity clause for criminal offences; a new Nigeria consisting of a federal government and six regional governments (based on the current six geo-political zones) operating federal and regional constitutions, respectively; and adoption of Regional and State Police force structure among others.

But responding to the development, some prominent northern leaders, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard, kicked against YNA’s call, saying that the agitation would plunge the nation into incalculable crises and hasten her break-up.

However, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya, said the demands of the Yoruba leaders were in tandem with the position of Ndigbo, which had been sent to the National Assembly for inclusion in the on-going constitution amendment exercise.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, said the call for regional autonomy and a return to parliamentary system of government was self-serving and had the semblance of secession.

Kaita said: “I do not really understand what they mean by regional autonomy. They should be bold enough to say that they do not want to be part of Nigeria any longer and stop talking about what does not make sense anymore in the country.
“Regional autonomy and parliamentary system of government can no longer serve a complex society like Nigeria and our founding fathers were wise enough to jettison the system and adopt the present Presidential system, which to all intent and purposes, remains the best for a country like ours,” he noted.

According to the founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, neither the granting of autonomy to any region in the country nor a return to parliamentary system of government would solve the socio-political problems of the nation.

Kaita said that all that was needed to make the presidential system more useful was to strengthen the institutions of government to serve the citizens better and reposition the country as a strong, united nation.
Adding his voice to the debate, National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Buba Galadima, described any call for regional autonomy as an invitation to the dissolution of the country.

“If they make the mistake to allow the kind of regional autonomy requested by the Yoruba, it is a recipe for the country’s disintegration because of the kind of politics being played in Nigeria. Our political immaturity would lead to dismembering the country as soon as any region is granted autonomy,” the politician noted.

Galadima warned that the country could disintegrate if urgent steps were not taken to address the growing sense of injustice and marginalisation of sections of the country by the government.

He maintained that demands for autonomy and other issues were borne out of perceived injustice and inability of the administration to provide the basic needs of the people.

It’s retrogressive — Haliru Mohammed
In his submission, immediate past Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed described calls for a return to regional structure as retrogressive.

According to him, states replaced the regions because of demands by ethnic nationalities for self-determination, adding that a u-turn to the old structure would be a repeat of the scenario where major ethnic groups like Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo were in total control of the regions and marginalised other groups.

The former Acting National Chairman of the PDP said rather than advocate regionalism what was required of the country now was to sit down and work out the modus operandi of our federation to accommodate all the ethnic diversities without any section feeling dominated.

His words: “Going back to regional structure is going to be retrogressive because states were created because of the demand by ethnic nationalities for self determination. To go back to regional structure where the major ethnic groups like Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo were in complete control of the regions is dangerous.

“General Yakubu Gowon responded to the demands of the minority groups and created states to allow for some level of self-determination for ethnic nationalities. Going back will make major ethnic groups to continue to dominate the minorities. Now, there is some level of equality between the nationalities regardless of the number and size.

“What Nigeria needs now is to sit down and work out our modus operandi of a federation that would accommodate all our ethnic diversities without one section feeling a sense of domination by others. Federating units should be different ethnic nationalities as we have in states. If there is need for creation of more states like in the case of South-East and also to break some of the larger and more populated states in the North and South, that can be accommodated rather than going back to regions.”

However, a former Senator from Kano State, Usman Kabiru Umar, stated that he would support any political restructuring that would bring about a strong, united and progressive Nigeria, where every citizen would have a sense of belonging. “Now, if they say that autonomy and return to parliamentarism would guarantee the promotion of peace, development and a united Nigeria, so be it,”

Indeed, Eya, who spoke in his personal capacity as a public commentator, said the South-West clamour for six regions was sound.

“Before the Presidential system was introduced, we had four regions. The North accepted the regions and we had Parliamentary system. The presidential system is very expensive; if we continue with it, we will soon go bankrupt. The parliamentary system worked for us. Then, if you did not win an election you cannot become a minister. Now the president appoints ministers from everywhere and they are not accountable to the people.

Noting that Ohanaeze had prepared a document on the constitution amendment, he said: “We agree with the South-West on six regions, which should become the federating units. The Federal Government should have nothing to do with state or local government creation.

“There is constant demands for new states and local governments because the military made them avenues for getting more allocation from the centre. Local governments should be states’ creation; they are not federating units. We stand for equity, fair-play and justice. The military gave North undue advantage and they do not want to relinquish it,” he said.

 http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/north-tackles-yoruba-leaders-on-autonomy/

Yeah lets go back to the regional system, make everybody answer hin papa name... That way every region will have the sole responsibility of developing their region the way they like... And it would bring people that could be held responsible to elective positions, and also reduce the cost of government spendings..

Ps: Ndigbo, don't worry, Yoruba will hand you the freedom you've been clamouring for very soon..

These northern guys are enemy of progress, na by force to marry?

Why are the north and her leaders always jittery at any move for true federalism in this country? To make matters worst , they still will not be humble to accept that they are nothing but parasites, lol.. True federalism is the key to developing Nigeria.. Regions / states should harness and manage their resources with the supervision of the FG and certain percentage will be paid to the FG... Northern leaders are too lazy to develop the north while their mouths are wide open for black gold.. Smh.

we are watching..

I will forever blame southern leaders if they allow this laudable idea fade into obscurity because of the selfishness of their northern counterparts.

Instead putting heads together to consolidate on existing structures, some leaders are canvassing for autonomy, so as to have a particular region under their control. It's a shame

The solution to Nigeria's problem doesn't lie in secession or regionalization of the country. People must come together and champion national ideals, support agenda that is people-oriented and stop prioritizing their region.

badlucky: The solution to Nigeria's problem doesn't lie in secession or regionalization of the country. People must come together and champion national ideals, support agenda that is people-oriented and stop prioritizing their region.

So, are you suggesting a unitary system for a country like Nigeria?

badlucky: The solution to Nigeria's problem doesn't lie in secession or regionalization of the country. People must come together and champion national ideals, support agenda that is people-oriented and stop prioritizing their region.

Tell us another country in the world that is structured like Nigeria that is working. Federating units that are not more than revenue sharing centers. Where a huge percentage of the GDP is spent on bureaucracy.

Yes, we need all those things you said, but we also need a country that is designed to succeed.

badlucky: The solution to Nigeria's problem doesn't lie in secession or regionalization of the country. People must come together and champion national ideals, support agenda that is people-oriented and stop prioritizing their region.

So you want people to support the centre, and the regions suffer bastardization. Look at how hunger is killing some people in food producing zones and how some oil producing states lack fuel?
Dont you know the west can be much better with access to the sea without one mallam calling the shots at Npa (this mallam had never seen a sea in his whole life till the national appointment)
See how eastern people left their states and are running around like rats in every section leaving their country alone.

To your tents o israel!

I'm not supporting Unitary system sir. Regional autonomy is not the essential attribute of Federal system. Autonomy is a feature of confedera system, a system that Ojukwu once championed. But my little knowledge of every federal system reminds me that the definitive Characteristics of a federal Govt are basically that federating units exist side by side the central Govt which Ofcourse is more powerful and coordinate activities of these units. Again, there is clarity in separation of power. This is anchored on the Executive, concurrent and residual list. These list clearly define the role of each tier. Today, our constitution to a large extent support these ideals. I think they should rather focus energy on more important issues than autonomy. Maybe how to restore peace, and support the ongoing Transformation

A discerning mind will know that regional autonomy weakens the center and makes it easy for groups to secede. Nigerians should see beyound this call, and sense secessionist tendencies. The efforts of our heroes past must not be in vain

Chanchit: Yeah lets go back to the regional system, make everybody answer hin papa name... That way every region will have the sole responsibility of developing their region the way they like... And it would bring people that could be held responsible to elective positions, and also reduce the cost of government spendings..

Ps: Ndigbo, don't worry, Yoruba will hand you the freedom you've been clamouring for very soon..

Funny enough, the same ibo people are responsible for these problems from day apart from the fact that zik an ibo man sold us to Hausa man, another ibo man terminated the same regional administration and autonomy they are clamoring for now...

I just which they look in the mirror and reflect on their dangerous shortsightedness and misadventures sometimes.

Eko Ile:

Funny enough, the same ibo people are responsible for these problems from day apart from the fact that zik an ibo man sold us to Hausa man, another ibo man terminated the same regional administration and autonomy they are clamoring for now...

I just which they look in the mirror and reflect on their dangerous shortsightedness and misadventures sometimes.

Ok, how come its yoruba and housa elders arguing that brought this topic and the link? Shaame will kill you if you admit that the ibo leaders were helping your grandfathers, see who is complaining now your grand fathers

Your elders now need their own regions, just collect it from the north, your 'friends'

Speaking specifically about Yoruba experience and regional government. So many firsts in Africa was built from the first TV station, first modern stadium, first and still the only major industrial estates in Nigeria from apapa to ikeja, matori, and ilupeju industrial estates , best network of roads, the first skyscraper and man more. just imagine our destination and outlook today if that useless ibo man aguiyi ironsi never terminated regional administration...

This is Tinubu's brainchild. He wants to be recognized like Awo. I think Nigerians should be wary of Regional politicians. We are first Nigerians before anything else

Eko Ile: Speaking specifically about Yoruba experience and regional government. So many firsts in Africa was built from the first TV station, first modern stadium, first and still the only major industrial estates in Nigeria from apapa to ikeja, matori, and ilupeju industrial estates , best network of roads, the first skyscraper and man more. just imagine our destination and outlook today if that useless ibo man aguiyi ironsi never terminated regional administration...

This is how destructive and dangerous it can be when clueless people hijack power by force. A carefully negotiated arrangement was done away with the stroke of a pen.

PrettyRita: This is Tinubu's brainchild. He wants to be recognized like Awo. I think Nigerians should be wary of Regional politicians. We are first Nigerians before anything else

Too bad you ignorant and paranoid illiterates failed to realise that we all progressed and did way better when the country was practicing regional administration. The north was famous the for their groundnut pyramids and the west for cocoa and rubber, well I don't know what ibo people were doing, but we progressed and togetherness after 50 years made things worse instead of better.

Stop with your dumb fixation on one man and think about your country, your future and your grand children's future you shallow ad shortsighted human being.

Eko Ile:

I just wish you clowns can float sensible and meaningful points instead of the same idio.tic talk with silly smilly grins like retards.

Na me say make ethnic bigotry remove your fun life? You are dying in instalments you know