Enahoro's 18 regional structure
By Mike Osunde

IN furtherance of its campaign for a geo-political restructuring of the country, the Chief Anthony Enahoro - led Movement for National Reformation (MNR), yesterday also proposed an 18-region structure for Nigeria.

The group's new proposal is a modification of its earlier position on the appropriate political structure for the country. In 1991, in a proposal submitted to the Constituent Assembly, MNR had suggested eight regions for the country. However, the Assembly them opted for a six-region structure i.e. South-South, South-West, South-East, North-West, North-Central and North-East.
In the case of the Federating Nationality of a multi-nationality region, the group said it shall be designated "Associated Territories" and shall each have (or share with neighbouring nationalities) autonomy in a range of subjects, namely chieftaincy, cultural affairs, primary education, and language development.

Applying the foregoing principles and criteria, MNR then said the emerging picture could be as follows:

(a) 12 Mono-Nationality Regions:

- Ibibio Federation

- Igbo Federation

- Ijaw Federation

- Urhobo Federation

- Edo Federation

- Yoruba Federation

- Nupe Federation

- Tiv Federation

- Fulah Federation

- Gbagyi Federation

- Hausa Federation

- Kanuri Federation



v) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Central Middle Belt i.e.

According to MNR: "The total number of Regions would thus be 18," which added in the proposal that provisions should be made, prescribing the requirements and procedure for the creation of any new region, provided that no new region shall be created before the expiration of 20 years from the establishment of the new structure.

The group, which is already having a rethink on its political alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the latter's seeming reluctance to restructure the polity and convene a National Conference of Stakeholders did not offer explanation for the change in its earlier position on the political structure for the country.

In a statement entitled: "Updated Proposals for Restructuring of Nigeria, 18 Region," issued in Benin yesterday, MNR proposed 12 mono-nationality regions and six multi-nationality regions. According to MNR, "the Union of Nigeria shall be a federation of constituent nationalities which shall be grouped into regions, and each region shall be a federation.

It said where a region consists of a single nationality, its federating units shall be the contiguous component sub-nationalities of the nationality. However, where a region consists of multiple nationalities, its federating units shall be contiguous component nationalities of the region.

A nationality or sub-nationality, according to MNR, shall not form or be part of more than one region, and that any disputes concerning area adjustments under either the single nationality or multiple nationality region shall be resolved by referendum among the populace concerned.
MNR gave the following combined criteria for the creation or recognition of region:

(1) Adequate Economic Resources (that is viability of the area concerned, with regard to the scope of regional powers and functions, which shall be the power and functions of regions under the 1951 constitution), and;

(2) Adequate Human Resources (that is, combined population of not less than million people living within the area concerned).

MNR said each region as well as nationality within a region shall have its internal constitution while the federating sub-nationalities of a mono-nationality region, shall be designated "provinces" and shall have specified territorial powers exceeding those of local government councils but lesser than those of a region.

hmm

absolute rubish this is why we killed our first leaders and nobody said anything. This is giving tribalism a big boost

I actually think it would be a decent idea, as long as we keep the military, and certain principles of the constitution unified.

That was where we started off that led us down the current path. It would only be a recipe for the country degenerating into a full blown civil war.
What we really need is a means to blur the ethnic lines.

There's one flaw with the plan.

Who says the multi-nationality regions can coexist.

The middle-belt isn't as unified as the plan theorizes.

Either go back to the original independence system or try to make the states work. this plan is doomed.

Very tribalistic idea. What of other ethnic groups like itsekiri, igbira etc?

I missed this part


(b) 6 Multi-Nationality Regions:

i) One Federation comprising minority nationalities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states (i.e.: Eket, Annang, Oron, Ibuno, Efik, Ijagham, Korop, Boki, Bakwara, Yakurr, Yala).



ii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Rivers and Bayelsa States (i.e. Ikwerre, Etchei, Ekpeye, Engeni, Ogba, Eleme, Ndoni, Ogoni, Andoni).



iii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Delta State (i.e.: Ika, Ndokwa, Warri, Isoko).



iv) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in West Middle Belt (i.e.: Zuru, Kambari, Bariba, Bussa, Karekare, Ngizim, Angamo, Bola, Funne, etc).



v) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Central Middle Belt i.e.

(a) Ebira Group: Ebira, Uku, Ebira Ugu, Ebira Panda, Etuno Igarra, Ebira Mozun, Bassa Nge.

(b) Igala Group in Upper Benue Group: Alago, Eggon, Gwandata, Mada, Kakanda, Mighili, Bassa, Komu, Ninzoni, Arum, etc.

(c) Nok Group: Atyap, Ihum, Bajju, Ninzam, Ikullu, Kamanton, Gwandara, Kahugu, Kwasam, Ilori, Ninkyop, etc.



vi) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in East Middle Belt, i.e.:

(a) Plateau Group: Ngas, Berom, Afezere, Ankwei, Tarok, Geonmi, Mayo Jukun, Amu, Pem. Yovin, etc.

(b) Taraba Group: Chamba, Jukun, Kutch, Mambila, Kona, Kunni, Kaanab, Ndoro, Abakwa, Munnuye, Yububen, etc.

(c) Savanna Group: Burra, Tangale, Waja, Bachama, Manghi, Kilba, Yungur, Mwanna, Bwazza, Mbula, etc.

The Past Military Regime is our Backwardness, Because we fear for Army gun and Police Brutality.This is Democracy Let us not think Democracy is like Military Regime where Army have the right to treat you anyhow they like.We have to think for once.If we want to move this Country forward.Let forget what will happen.We fear the Government they are Human being like Us, Please We cant fear them Instead let them fear Us. We cant continue to give those slowpoke a chance to defeat us always.Nairalander,Nigerians It time to Knock Down of your Neighbor to Advice them and Let act fast on the coming Election 2011.If you believe we can do it. Say Yes we can.

Enahoro is an idiot. Typical confused politician from the so called South-south. Wasn't he among the same devils that helped kill the same idea right before the Biafran war?
Its funny how the same fools in that region who helped fight against this idea to get a few crumbs from the North are now the ones crying to have that arrangement. The man can rot in hell with his ideas and let someone with no blood in his hands advocate better ideas. Its like Edwin Clark now advocating for same stuff he fought against all in his haste to show his hatred towards the East and Igbos in particular.

Enahoro must be high when he put this @

ii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Rivers and Bayelsa States (i.e. Ikwerre, Etchei, Ekpeye, Engeni, Ogba, Eleme, Ndoni, Ogoni, Andoni).

iii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Delta State (i.e.: Ika, Ndokwa, Warri, Isoko).

Who told him Ikwerre, Eche, Ekpeye aka Ekpafia / Ekpohia, Ogba, Eleme, Ndoni, Andoni, Ika, Ndokwa people are minorities?

Old fool still aint ready to get it. That man should stick local politics in Edo for good.

like star trek federation?

That's Pa Enahoro licking up his puke. . . I like that.

lets see how his plan goes

This must be a joke .Enahoro suggesting this. Like grafik said he should lick his puke.Nonsense.

that old man has lost his sense of reasoning.people like him are the problem with nigeria

What exactly is so bad about this idea?

ChinenyeN:

What exactly is so bad about this idea?

i hope you know the history of enahoro and aburi accord.

** Shudders ****

asha 80:

i hope you know the history of enahoro and aburi accord.

No, I don't know the history of those two, but does that have an effect on the idea itself?

the idea can not  work. it is not acceptable to majority of nigerian. mostly northerner. But if you look at the idea of the Yoruba, edo, delta and bayelsa been removed to benin republic. Majority of nigerian would accept it.

Why do I say majority.

If just pretend we have a true census figure, which we do not. Half of the population they claim are northerner. 90% of Northerner would not care or are not against the Yoruba, edo ,delta and bayelsa been part of the benin republic. Some may want bayelsa to remain. Even if we say for Jonathan reason, bayelsa remain part of Nigeria, and only yorubas, edo and delta state is remove to Benin republic. 90% of northerner would agree.  which they claim thru the fraud census is 45% of Nigeria . we Yorubas , edo and delta state have another 35% of the population. And 99% of us , would agree to join benin republic.

When you add 45% + 35% , you have 80% of nigerian. Who would agree to remove Yorubas,edo and delta state from Nigeria.  80% is majority.

ChinenyeN:

No, I don't know the history of those two, but does that have an effect on the idea itself?

It has no effect on the idea per say.It is just that enahoro was against a similar if not identical idea(aburi accord) then so why is he proposing it now?

A diversion from the real issues.

A nation of federations like which other?

The current ills of our society is commendably riddled with corruption plus silent ethno-religious grievance.

A federation is an 'institutional arrangement, taking the form of a sovereign state, and distinguished from other such states solely by the fact that its central(federal) government incorporates constituent unit in its central decision-making procedures on some constitutionally entrenched basis'.

Federations are either territorily or nationally divided (as in nations like the Igbos who may comprise of other minority ethnic groups like the TIv, Ibibio). Nigeria has transformed in my view from being a state of nations to that of territory by the fact of migration and language within her- if this be the case- aw does one account for this proposed messy confederational arrangements.

Remember that b4 the civil war, pp were sent back to their respective regions to formalize the war as being of nations, or ethnic groups if yu like. The aftermath of the war brought these pp back 2gether, reintegratin the easterners into the civil/public service all over the State and what have you. The federational situation in 9ja is such that wud be enviable if properly managed. It's backward in my view to follow an arrangement like this, makes me wonder what issues were being considered. What problems are they looking to solve?

From little acorns grow big trees.
The 6 geo political zones that we reference today are the brainchild of Enahoro. These 6 geo political zones will form the basis of our loose confederation.

This is a man who put his life on the line for this country, several times over and you clueless armchair critics have the audacity to abuse him.

This is a man who has made a difference on the strength of his ideology and not ethnic allegiance nor by the gun or stealing money.

The fact that he isn't respected here shouldn't come as a surprise, it is testament to the lack of moral values displayed by some of our people.

Sapele,  this isnt about the man and his achievements, it's about the idea behind this proposal and the  consequences of such for the society at large.

hoeyeadoe - the idea can't be that bad as it was the basis for the 6 geo political zoning arrangement. Nigeria can't ignore ethnicity instead we need to learn to respect our differences as opposed to exploiting them.

He has a nice idea. Thinking the ethnic difference will be ignored is naive (coming from a naive person).  I'll say leave it as it is and let every state make their own rules and manage their own resources while paying tax to the federal government. Creating regions based on tribe is ok but we all know that'll mean 253 region cause if we lump tribes together cause they are minorities, it'll create another Nigeria within Nigeria. What makes you think the Ogoni people will trust Ikweres as time goes on? Everyone will want power. Leave it as it is but let every state manage their own resources and make their own laws while the federal government makes sure no established laws abuses human rights in the states the laws are established.

ganja very true

SapeleGuy  the six zone where never by enahoro. Enahoro had nothing to do with the stupid 6 zone.   

look the igbo have 3% of Nigeria land . and they claim about 10% of nigeria population. Now, with the stupid 6 zone the igbos get 16% if you divided. 6% they do not deserve. You want a nation where everybody is treated fairly.

Getting 6% you do not deserve is not been fair. the 6 zone is to the disadvantage of the Yorubas. when Abacha introduce, for him to carry is plan of 6 zone to work. he lock up in jail most senators and house of rep members and force the stupid 6 zone on nigerian. Is that fair. we never agree to any 6 zone.  Abacha lock up Ameh Ebute and other senators and rep and even abiola  to force 6 zone.

Anyone who believe in the 6 zone is sick and wicked.  And to Jonathan he should stop is south south meeting. If he want support. We Yorubas do not believe in the 6 zone that put us at disadvantage. any one who want the 6 zone is our enermy. .

We have 3 to 4 times the population of the south east and we can not share equal revenue or position or appointment with the south east. It is unfair and wicked.  Only a wicked leader and wicked national assembly would want 6 zones.

SapeleGuy the six zone where never by enahoro. Enahoro had nothing to do with the stupid 6 zone.

look the igbo have 3% of Nigeria land . and they claim about 10% of nigeria population. Now, with the stupid 6 zone the igbos get 16% if you divided. 6% they do not deserve. You want a nation where everybody is treated fairly.

Getting 6% you do not deserve is not been fair. the 6 zone is to the disadvantage of the Yorubas. when Abacha introduce, for him to carry is plan of 6 zone to work. he lock up in jail most senators and house of rep members and force the stupid 6 zone on nigerian. Is that fair. we never agree to any 6 zone. Abacha lock up Ameh Ebute and other senators and rep and even abiola to force 6 zone.

Anyone who believe in the 6 zone is sick and wicked. And to Jonathan he should stop is south south meeting. If he want support. We Yorubas do not believe in the 6 zone that put us at disadvantage. any one who want the 6 zone is our enermy. .

We have 3 to 4 times the population of the south east and we can not share equal revenue or position or appointment with the south east. It is unfair and wicked. Only a wicked leader and wicked national assembly would want 6 zones.

9jaganga is making quite a bit of sense.

asha 80:

It has no effect on the idea per say.It is just that enahoro was against a similar if not identical idea(aburi accord) then so why is he proposing it now?

Oh okay, I understand now.