As Nigeria nears the commencement of a national conference to decide major issues concerning the country, a United States-based pressure group called Edo United for Homeland Empowerment has advised all delegates to put the national interest above all personal, religious, partisan and ethnic considerations. The group also stated that the conference should approve state control of natural resources, including oil.
Noting that Nigeria was at a crossroads and stood in need of redemption and radical redirection, the group urged the people’s representatives to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the conference to fashion a system that would put the nation on a sustainable pathway of peace and prosperity. The Edo group also challenged the delegates to tackle key issues that tend to threaten the future of the country, including a political system that favors the rich, the corrupt, political lackeys, thugs and so-called political godfathers.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting at its Boston headquarters last week, the organization suggested the rejection of zoning as a basis for electing Nigeria’s president and state governors. Instead, they called for a system that offers all Nigerians the opportunity to participate fully in the nomination and election process of the president and other political office holders beginning from the ward levels.
The communiqué, which was signed by Frank Ekhator and Emmanuel Okunmwendia, President and Director of Publicity respectively, condemned the current system of zoning, arguing that it places limitations on people in their desire and capability to run for offices.
“People should be given equal opportunities to run for political offices of their choice, and be able to choose their own leaders rather than those that are imposed on them,” the group said. It added, “Nigeria’s president, governors and all other representatives should be allowed to emerge.”
The organization expressed satisfaction with the selection of Nosakhare Isekhure, the Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, as one of the delegates from Edo state. It noted with admiration the Isekhure’s “tireless efforts to get Edo people in the Diaspora involved in the preparation for the conference during a three-day meeting with members of Edo United For Homeland Empowerment and other community leaders during his November 2013 visit to the US.”
The organization also applauded the inclusion on the delegates’ list of a one-time Bendel State students’ leader, Chris Agbonwanegbe. They called on all the delegates from Edo State to work cooperatively for the realization of the Edo Agenda.
The organization counseled all delegates to fight for a system of government that would give more powers to the states and local governments, with emphasis on states’ rights to manage their own resources. It insisted on an emphasis on natural resources, instead of landmass, as the basis for revenue allocation by the Federal government. The group faulted the concept of Federal character as it has been practiced for a long time in Nigeria, describing it as discriminatory, unrealistic and a setback. “People should be given equal opportunity and states should be allowed to manage their own resources and pay taxes to the Federal government accordingly,” the statement argued.
The organization supported the call for the introduction of a three-tier security system in the country, made up of city/local government, state and federal police.
Commenting on Nigeria’s woeful security situation, but with special focus on Edo State and other parts of the south-south region which are plagued by kidnappers, as well as North Nigeria which is bedeviled by terrorism, the organization insisted that the delegates must find lasting remedies to the menace.
“Today’s Nigerian security threats are interconnected and inextricably linked to corruption at all levels of government, including security officers that are now compromised and allegedly becoming connivers and/or agents of kidnappers,” the group stated. It said it was the responsibility of every nation to protect its population from violent crimes, adding that Nigeria runs the risk of seen as a failed state if the climate of insecurity and senseless killings continue.
The organization re-affirmed its belief in the unity of Nigeria, but with greater autonomy for local and state governments. It asked delegates to dwell on measures that would reshape Nigeria for the better instead of those that would lead to the country’s disintegration.
It challenged the delegates to expunge the clause in the constitution that provides immunity from prosecution to certain categories of elected officials, adding that the immunity clause has encouraged public officers to engage in corrupt practices with impunity.
“It is unfortunate that several public officers have escaped justice while serving in office due to the unrealistic protection in the name of immunity from prosecution,” the group said. It added: “The removal of such immunity will usher in more a greater sense of accountability to the public and help to tackle the lingering problem of corruption among public office holders in the country.”
The organization stated that the conference should approve a system where federal fund allocations go directly to the local governments instead of passing through the state governments, adding that the measure would prevent a common practice of local officials being held hostage by the state governments.
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