₦airaland Forum

Convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof Ango Abdullahi, yesterday declared that Nigeria was in dire need of fundamental political and economic reforms as the legal instrument that established it as a country in 1914, expired 10 years ago.

Abdullahi, who stated this at the National Dialogue on a Home Grown Parliamentary System of Government held in Abuja, disclosed that the edict which led to the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by the British colonial authorities in 1914 was meant to expire after 100 years.

He explained that when the British brought together the diverse ethno-lingual groups they met on ground and named the territory Nigeria, it was on the projection that the people would develop into a model nation state.

According to him, the edict setting up the country, gave a time frame within which the country will grow into an indissoluble state or fail and the groups go their separate ways. “Nigeria was born in 1914. It was the product of an edict made by the colonial officers that were largely military in consultation with a few of our elders. Just five or six of them.

These included the Sultan (of Sokoto ) of that period; the Shehu of Borno of that period; the Alafin of Oyo of that period; the Obong of Calabar of that time and the other names that I have forgotten – just five of them. “They sat down and looked at the developments that were taking place in the colonised area – Lagos, Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria.

The North was conquered in 1903. So, by 1914 the colonial masters from Britain wanted to solidify their gains so that they could more easily exploit the resources of the colony. That is how they sat down and decided that they would amalgamate the Lagos Colony and the South and the North into one country.

The wife of Lord Frederick Luggard, the Governor General at that time, gave us the name Nigeria, a name derived from the Niger Area. “In the edict, if you read it, it is very clear that we were being encouraged as people from various backgrounds to come together and build a nation called Nigeria.

Our leaders at that time were encouraged to try but were advised by the edict that we should’ve monitored the progress over the years but the life of the edict was to last for a 100 years.

This means that the edict expired in 2014 which is 100 years from its formation. But the question now is that this is 2024 and perhaps this kind of dialogue reminds us that we have a history that started in 1914.

“In the conclusion of that edict, it said that if we failed to build a country that we can call our own and be proud of, by the expiration of that period the various components that were in that amalgamation could go their separate ways. Go and check; that is what you will find. The edict tells us to either do what is right or if we can’t do what is right we can decide to go our separate ways,” he said.

Apparently dissatisfied with the pace of development in Nigeria since independence in 1960, Abdullahi lamented that 64 years later Nigeria can only boast of 3,000 megawatts of electricity for a population of over 200 million people. He said that the current situation in the power sector is enough evidence that Nigeria had failed to live up to the expectation of its founding fathers.

The dialogue featured several guest speakers who tried to examine the pros and cons of the Presidential and Parliamentary systems of government with a view to getting Nigerian to choose which one would be better for the country.

https://newtelegraphng.com/nigeria-expired-10-years-ago-needs-renegotiation-reformation-prof-ango-abdullahi/ nlfpmod

Abi

“In the conclusion of that edict, it said that if we failed to build a country that we can call our own and be proud of, by the expiration of that period the various components that were in that amalgamation could go their separate ways.

The edict tells us to either do what is right or if we can’t do what is right we can decide to go our separate ways..."

Hehehe! Reality of a failed state staring them in the face wotowoto. "3.2 Basis of the Federation: "(1) Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has an unconditional right to self-determination within here delineated territories.

The North typically speaks this way when a Northerner is not The President and for obvious reasons. When a Northerner is President even the uneducated Northerner trumpets the all too familiar strain of "One Naigeria"! If the North is serious about this observation its Legislators in the National Assembly will do well to raise and debate the issue on the floor of both Legislative Houses and put same to vote and conduct a nationwide referendum knowing that it will carry the day because of its larger number!

Apparently dissatisfied with the pace of development in Nigeria since independence in 1960, Abdullahi lamented that 64 years later Nigeria can only boast of 3,000 megawatts of electricity for a population of over 200 million people.

.....The current situation in the power sector is enough evidence that Nigeria had failed to live up to the expectation of its founding fathers.

The northern political elites think they are smarter than the other Nigerians because they speak both sides of their mouth.These same fellas are the ones who championed the disastrous muslim muslim combo of T-Pain. Today power have slipped from their hands and they are whining and neighing like horses on heat. Hypocrites everywhere.

vanbonattel:
Abi

Chai! It is just ludicrous and pitiable.

True talk

Racoon:
Chai

https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/18895878_screenshot20241113121309samsunginternet_jpeg5606e1f719b95ae2902a20df165e80f9
He is correct. It is a nationwide malady of sorts. When the North has The Presidency it is satisfied with the concept of on Nigeria but typically attacks the position when the North is not in power. The SW is not exempt either. For the Igbo same holds true. They largely rallied and still rally round Peter Obi an Igbo man in his quest for the Presidency.

zoedew:
He is correct. It is a nationwide malady of sorts.For the Igbo same holds true. They largely rallied and still rally round Peter Obi an Igbo man in his quest for the Presidency.

Guess you know those who have contributed actively to the bastardization of the Nigerian state? The North and SW have occupied the leadership of this nation from Post July 1966 military era.

Even the SE and many other ethnic nationals have no representation during the fraudulent amalgamation by the colonial masters "while the Sultan (of Sokoto ) of that period; the Shehu of Borno of that period; the Alafin of Oyo of that period; Obong of Calabar of that time and the others - just five of them. Deciding the political fate of many.

“They sat down and then amalgamated over 200 ethnic nationals without an agreement. Who does that? This is why Nigeria has not and will never work except there is a national dialogue on true Nationhood. "Unity without veracity is a conspiracy."

If the reform would include me relocating from the East here back to my home region in SW, then its welcome

If it has nothing to do with autonomous regional government, then its bullock

Ironsi and Azikiwe just had to either agree to the seccession clause or decide not to end the regional government but both blew up the chance|


Still on still, God bless Nigeria

Finally,Nnamdi Kanu was 110 % right.

EmperorCaesar:



If the reform would include me relocating from the East here back to my home region in SW, then its welcome

If it has nothing to do with autonomous regional government, then its bullock

Ironsi and Azikiwe just had to either agree to the seccession clause or decide not to end the regional government but both blew up the chance|


Still on still, God bless Nigeria

You guys keep talking about Zik and Ironsi, these men were in government 60 years ago

Why haven't all those who have been in government in the last 60 years put secession clause in the Constitution?

They are waiting for Zik and Ironsi to resurrect from the dead and do it?

ibechris:
Finally, Nnamdi Kanu was 110 % right.

"In the time of universal deceit, speaking the truth is considered a revolutionary act...."George Orwell. Ka Chineke mezie okwu's and na zaputa ummuneya. Truth is always solemn and sacrosanct but is simply a very bitter to swallow. Let them arrest and imprison Prof Ango Abdullahi too. God punish them if them no do am. Ndi ala them.

EmperorCaesar:
.....Ironsi and Azikiwe just had to either agree to the seccession clause or decide not to end the regional government but both blew up the chance..

The northern leaders and elites are talking. You have no guts to face them. It is Igbos that is your focus. Remember, the North was the first to attempt succession in July 1966 but later opted out @ the last minute?

What about the SW asking Ojukwu to declare succession then they will also follow thereafter? Why did they later backstab too as usual? What about the renage on the Aburi accord by the Gowon government? What have the Igbo man not said about the contraption of a forced but woefully failed entity that has not turned out to be the solemn truth?

zoedew:
https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/18895878_screenshot20241113121309samsunginternet_jpeg5606e1f719b95ae2902a20df165e80f9
He is correct. It is a nationwide malady of sorts. When the North has The Presidency it is satisfied with the concept of on Nigeria but typically attacks the position when the North is not in power. For the Igbo same holds true. They largely rallied and still rally round Peter Obi an Igbo man in his quest for the Presidency.

Blatant lie.

The Igbo has always tried to vote right tribalism aside. Obj is not an Igbo man, check the vote He got vs Obi in SE. Jona and Yaradua are not Igbos let's see their vote vs Obi in SE.

This attempt to paint Tribalism to the candidature of Obi failed woefully as We can all see from the results of the election.

Btw the North are speaking out bcus nothing has ever hit the Country like this failure called Tinubu, He is the most clueless and irrational leader the Country has ever seen since Her existence.
Bubu era was a golden era compared to this T-pain failure of all failures.

Make We dey tell ourselves truth.

ablejesus26:
Blatant lie.

The Igbo has always tried to vote right tribalism aside. Obj is not an Igbo man, check the vote He got vs Obi in SE. Jona and Yaradua are not Igbos let's see their vote vs Obi in SE.

This attempt to paint Tribalism to the candidature of Obi failed woefully as We can all see from the results of the election.

Btw the North are speaking out bcus nothing has ever hit the Country like this failure called Tinubu, He is the most clueless and irrational leader the Country has ever seen since Her existence.
Bubu era was a golden era compared to this T-pain failure of all failures.

Make We dey tell ourselves truth.

If you say so.

zoedew:
If you say so.

Nothing like if I say so.
Reality is that SE turned up for Jona and Yaradua than Obi their own son, so why are you trying to play the tribalist card.

We so much hate to tell ourselves truth but then We expect better

Hmmm

A constitution supersedes everything before it, including any law and edict.

Any law or edict that is not included in the 1999 constitution is expired.

That is why they say a constitution is supreme.

That said, I am in support of the idea of revisiting the desirability of lumping so many different cultures and peoples together in what has proven to be an impossible conglomerate to manage successfully.

ablejesus26:
Nothing like if I say so.
Reality is that SE turned up for Jona and Yaradua than Obi their own son, so why are you trying to play the tribalist card.

We so much hate to tell ourselves truth but then We expect better

You cannot choose my response for me! We all are free to draw conclusions from facts that speak for themselves!

zoedew:
You cannot choose my response for me! We all are free to draw conclusions from facts that speak for themselves!

But the Realities and facts are there for you to duduce your submissions. You can't just churn up sentimental tribal claims and try to colorwash common sense

I hope You are not pro Apc,bcus those guys are irredeemable. They are the type to see a full scale failure as a REALITY but go ahead and start making defense for a Totalitarian FAILURE of a president.

ablejesus26:
But the Realities and facts are there for you to duduce your submissions. You can't just churn up sentimental tribal claims and try to colorwash common sense

I hope You are not pro Apc,bcus those guys are irredeemable. They are the type to see a full scale failure as a REALITY but go ahead and start making defense for a Totalitarian FAILURE of a president.

I A'INT NO POLITICIAN! I have spoken the way I see things. I am entitled to my personal opinion. We can live together and yet differ in our opinion on issues.

zoedew:
I A'INT NO POLITICIAN! I have spoken the way I see things. I am entitled to my personal opinion. We can live together and yet differ in our opinion on issues.

Better close your mouth you no get talk

zoedew:
The North typically speaks this way when a Northerner is not The President and for obvious reasons. When a Northerner is President even the uneducated Northerner trumpets the all too familiar strain of "One Naigeria"! If the North is serious about this observation its Legislators in the National Assembly will do well to raise and debate the issue on the floor of both Legislative Houses and put same to vote and conduct a nationwide referendum knowing that it will carry the day because of its larger number!

Are u sure u have an idea as to what "the north" looks like?
The political north are core NW and NE states not NC states.
There are 19 Northern states and when u remove the NC states that won't easily align with "the north" on political grounds, then numbers won't be larger like u think, this is a national dialogue not a northern dialogue.

Racoon:
Guess you know those who have contributed actively to the bastardization of the Nigerian state? The North and SW have occupied the leadership of this nation from Post July 1966 military era.

Even the SE and many other ethnic nationals have no representation during the fraudulent amalgamation by the colonial masters "while the Sultan (of Sokoto ) of that period; the Shehu of Borno of that period; the Alafin of Oyo of that period; Obong of Calabar of that time and the others - just five of them. Deciding the political fate of many.

“They sat down and then amalgamated over 200 ethnic nationals without an agreement. Who does that? This is why Nigeria has not and will never work except there is a national dialogue on true Nationhood. "Unity without veracity is a conspiracy."

SE didn't have representation but SE lead "secession is a treason " narrative through Azikiwe, SE ended regionalism through Ironsi, always looking for ways to bIame others.

JagabanBorgu:
Are u sure u have an idea as to what "the north" looks like?
The political north are core NW and NE states not NC states.
There are 19 Northern states and when u remove the NC states that won't easily align with "the north" on political grounds, then numbers won't be larger like u think, this is a national dialogue not a northern dialogue.

I get your drift. Whether the North is Monolithic. Overtime it comes up as you have noted but when the chips are down and the rubber hits the road it is what the NW and NE says in that order that represents the position of the North.

zoedew:
I get your drift. Whether the North is Monolithic. Overtime it comes up as you have noted but when the chips are down and the rubber hits the road it is what the NW and NE says in that order that represents the position of the North.

What they say represent the north because that's what the rest of the south believe, I was in SW and that's what they believe.
The north has never being a single bloc politically since 1960.
The number for a decision in the Senate house is not in favor of "the north".

JagabanBorgu:
What they say represent the north because that's what the rest of the south believe, I was in SW and that's what they believe.
The north has never being a single bloc politically since 1960.
The number for a decision in the Senate house is not in favor of "the north".

Not what is believed but what is seen. Sampler: what is the prevailing policy on open grazing in the North? Is it what Benue state wants?

zoedew:
Not what is believed but what is seen. Sampler: what is the prevailing policy on open grazing in the North? Is it what Benue state wants?

Does Benue State ever want anything?
Lol.
Do u have any slight idea about how she!.tty leadership in Benue State is?
Benue had a senate president for 8 years but do u have any idea that the federal road in Benue State as I'm typing this right is not pliable?
The headquarters of zone C in Benue State is called Otukpo, they don't have a tarred federal road passing through that town, if u get into that town with ur car, u will regret stressing ur car, that's where the former senate president has his house.
The leadership in Benue State is so sh!.tty that paying salaries every month is considered good governance in that state, is that the state u are talking about open grazing?
The fulani in Benue are rearing cattle for Benue elites in that state, what do u think their stand against open grazing is?

JagabanBorgu:
Does Benue State ever want anything?
Lol.
Do u have any slight idea about how she!.tty leadership in Benue State is?
Benue had a senate president for 8 years but do u have any idea that the federal road in Benue State as I'm typing this right is not pliable?
The headquarters of zone C in Benue State is called Otukpo, they don't have a tarred federal road passing through that town, if u get into that town with ur car, u will regret stressing ur car, that's where the former senate president has his house.
The leadership in Benue State is so sh!.tty that paying salaries every month is considered good governance in that state, is that the state u are talking about open grazing?
The fulani in Benue are rearing cattle for Benue elites in that state, what do u think their stand against open grazing is?

Exactly my point! It is the voice of the NW and NE that represents the North!!

zoedew:
Exactly my point! It is the voice of the NW and NE that represents the North!!

The voice of the NW or NE don't represent states like Benue, if Benue want open grazing, they will keep it, if they don't want it, they will eliminate, u are saying it represents it like if Benue does not want it, the NW and NE will make them want it by force.