FOUNDATIONS FOR A NEW NIGERIA (2)

Wilfred Usani argues the ethnic nationalities must stay together on terms that accommodate all of them fairly

Separation may lead to a domino effect which could cause the various ethnic nationalities and their peoples to become insignificant stateless people within the African continent. This certainly cannot be in the interest of any ethnic nationality currently consisting in the territory called Nigeria. Strong visionary and enlightened leadership is required to avoid this. Were Nigeria or any part of it to be broken up or separated it would be a big blow to Black Africa because Nigeria as it is today is the only country large enough and with enough resources to rally the rest of Africa to development.

In my opinion, it must be an uncompromisable ideal for the ethnic nationalities that consist in Nigeria to stay together united into one country. However the ideal must be that the ethnic nationalities must stay together on terms that accommodate all of them fairly under the union. This ideal must form the fundamental basis for a National Charter to be adopted by all the ethnic nationalities that consist in Nigeria which will contain the fundamental principles and basic ideals for the union of the ethnic nationalities into one modern nation. In my view, any alternative – whether maintaining the status quo or separating will spell doom for any ethnic nationality that consists in Nigeria. The status quo is unsustainable and will eventually lead to an implosion and separation is anathema!

I would suggest some of the ideals and principles to be articulated in the charter to include the following:

A declaration of the consent and agreement of all the ethnic nationalities that consist within the geographical entity known as Nigeria to be formed into a union as a single inseparable nation having regard to the following: One, the common colonial heritage of all the ethnic nationalities that consist within the territory which has bestowed upon them a common contemporary history and heritage. Two, the recognition that owing to this common colonial heritage, there has been such social, cultural, economic and political interrelation, interconnection and interdependence that a separation of the ethnic nationalities will lead to such social and economic dislocation that may ultimately be unbeneficial to any ethnic nationality and their people. Three, a recognition that the developments that have occurred within the territories of any ethnic nationality deriving from their common colonial heritage is the product of the sacrifice of the resources or from the resources of all the ethnic nationalities that consist in the territory so that a separation of any of the ethnic nationalities may occasion such injustice that may render the other ethnic nationalities vulnerable.

Four, a recognition that a further integration of the resources of the ethnic nationalities under one nation will further the prosperity, security and welfare of the ethnic nationalities consisting in the union and their peoples.

Besides, a recognition of the ethnic nationalities that consist within the territory as the distinct national entities that have come together to be formed into this union; a declaration and recognition of the distinct national rights of these ethnic nationalities which will be maintained and preserved in the union notwithstanding that each ethnic nationality shall surrender aspects of its sovereignty and national rights to the national government which shall be formed pursuant to this charter; and a declaration of the human and peoples’ rights that must be preserved and maintained in the union.

This charter will form the basis for a new constitution for the country which will be the basic law of the land which will give effect to the principles and ideals enunciated in the charter. This new constitution which will be deriving from the agreement of the people to be united as one nation will then be truly autochthonous expressing the will of the people, their culture, history, customs and tradition, their hopes and aspirations. In this way the document derives organic legitimacy before the people who will then accept it as their own. It will become the icon to rally the peoples of Nigeria to a common cause of action for their collective good.

I propose that the government in power must lead the process of articulating this charter elaborately expressing the basis and terms of the union as suggested and subject this charter to a national referendum. The mechanics of this referendum will be worked out as best as practical realities demand.

Upon adoption of this charter in the referendum I propose that the government should then convene a national constitutional conference of the representatives of all the ethnic nationalities that consist in the territory to articulate a constitution for the country which will give effect to the ideals contained in the charter.

A major challenge to this proposition will largely be the attitude of the current National Assembly. Many would argue that the National Assembly being representatives of the people of Nigeria should carry out this constitutional reform through amendments to the current constitution. I would say with due respect to the National Assembly that the problem is too deeply embedded and goes beyond the capacity of the National Assembly alone to address. I say that while the National Assembly and the members will play their role in this reform process, the process must extend beyond them to include the naturally recognised leaders from the various ethnic nationalities whether in government or out of government so that the people will feel a true sense of representation.

During the Goodluck Jonathan Administration the government convened a national conference which made extensive recommendations for the “restructuring” of the country. The problem with that conference in my view was that it was the typical top to bottom approach to problem solving that has been the hallmark of governments approach to solving problems that was adopted. In my view, the government convened the conference, set its’ terms of reference and modus operandi without consultation with the people at any stage. The conference did not in my view reflect the free will consent of the peoples of Nigeria which would have given it organic legitimacy. This is the reason why the conference has been ignored by the current government and today some ethnic nationalities have called for a complete rejection of the conference as they felt it was unrepresentative of their views.

The summary of my proposition is that the government as the current sovereign authority in the territory must provide the guidance required for the ethnic nationalities to come together and agree to the national charter and for the charter to form the basis for a new constitution and thus lay the foundation for a new Nigeria.