Prominent Elder statesmen and political leaders from South East, South West, South South, and Middle belt geopolitical zones of the country rose from a one-day parley in Enugu, on Thursday insisting that for the nation to achieve lasting peace, unity, justice and prosperity, restructuring the polity has become not only imperative but sacrosanct.
The parley tagged:'Handshake across the Niger, a celebration of Igbo/Yoruba friendship beyond brotherhood' put together by Nzuko Umunna in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere also frowned at the wanton destruction of lives and properties in Benue state and some other parts of the country by suspected herders and therefore called for classification of the Fulani Herdsmen as a terrorist organization.
Delegates to the parley included President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo who led the South east, Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo who led Yoruba delegation on behalf of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti; Chief Edwin Clerk, represented by Idongesit Nkagha on behalf of South South and former Governor of Plateau State, Sen Jona Jang and the leader of Middle belt Forum, Timothy Gwandu who led the delegation from middle belt.
A posthumous honour was also bestowed on late military head of state, Gen. Aguyi Ironsi and former military governor of old Western region, Col. Francis Fajuyi whom were killed during the counter coup of 29th July 1966.
In a communique issued at the end of the parley and signed by Nwodo and Adebanjo, the leaders declared unflinching support for a truly federal union of Nigeria that is democratic, stable, secure, peaceful, just and fair to all its citizens.
They also committed to work in close partnership and through peaceful means to restructure Nigeria, reducing and restricting the duties of the federal government to only matters of national import on the exclusive list, while granting the federating units the right to take full responsibility for local, developmental and residual matters, as this will lead to healthy competition and cooperation among the federating units, in place of the present dysfunctional arrangement that merely superintends over the sharing and consuming of rents, and holds some States and Zones down for others to play the elusive game of catch-up.
They also expressed committment to peaceful devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, land/resource ownership/control, reforming component structural and systemic institutions to radically reduce the escalating cost of governance.
The delegates further resolved to collaborate closely to create mutually beneficial opportunities, build a strong alliance to advance their ever growing mutual interests, while striving together to meet the common responsibilities of building a united, coherent and prosperous nation - state of free peoples, freely relating to one another across the dividing lines of tribe, religion, region and politics.
"We are committed to working tirelessly towards joining the economically-performing nations – China, India, Brazil, Israel, Singapore , South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand etc. – not as a dependent State, but a competitive producer and exporter of knowledge-based goods and services; Committed to immediate implementation of pro federalism recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, in particular those affecting the efficiency of governance.
"We believe that the fore-going measures will reposition Nigeria to reach credible nationhood, attain its full potential and respect in the community of nations thereby enabling us to effectively lead the campaign for the political and economic renaissance of Africa and the black race – the very goals for which the Zik of Africa and the sage Chief Awolowo and a host of other founding nationalists lived and sacrificed so much.
They noted the immense strength of Igbo-Yoruba close affinities of kinship and brotherhood, shared origins and cultural/ethical values, a common world view and inherent love of freedom and justice.
According to them, the Hand Shake Across the Niger (HSAN), was anchored on the heroism of Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi and Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, which they observes was though long overdue, but has finally burst the myth of Igbo-Yoruba irreconcilable differences and spiteful rivalry, thus, providing new impetus for resurgence of the same bold, patriotic and nationalist solidarity of the two ethnic groups from the 1930s to the 1950s that earned independence for Nigeria in 1960.
The conferees also resolved that the parley will not be a one off event, but only the first of a progressive and continuous re-socialization project that will, in short order, reach out to embrace other compatriots in the South South (SS) , Middle Belt [MB], North Central (NC) North East (NE) and North West (NW) zones of the country.
They therefore agreed, to establish a standing Joint Action Committee to drive this process, and to continually articulate fresh ideas and strategies to sustain the current zeal and momentum of mutual understanding and collaborative actions aimed at resuscitating Nigeria politically and economically in order to position her to earn her rightful place among the contending nations in the world.
Earlier during the session, the elder statesmen had noted that anybody who is against restructuring is an enemy of the unity of Nigeria, insisting that the nation also needed a new constitution before 2019 general elections.
While observing one minute silence for the Benue victims and for late Ironsi and Fajuyi, they agreed to rely on the supreme sacrifice paid by Ironsi and Fajuyi to let bygones be bygones and forge a new union that will ultimately lead to national unity, emphasising that the unity between South East and South West remains a catalyst for Nigeria's unity.
Nwodo, said arrangements were being made to bring back the remains of two Igbos killed alongside Benue indigenes by the Fulani herdsmen in the recent attack for proper burial in line with Igbo tradition.
"Our irrevocable stand that Nigeria must be restructured is nonnegotiable. To abandon restructuring is to self-destruct Nigeria.
"Every credible analysis shows that unless we devolve powers to the states and allow them control of their natural resources and basic utilities of powers, environment, education and infrastructural development, Nigeria will collapse.
"Anyone opposed to restructuring is a proponent of the liquidation o Nigeria," h said.
Adebanjo on his part said the re-union gathering was a catalyst for the unity of Nigeria.
"As long as Igbo and Yoruba are squabbling we will be destroying ourselves. The coming together of both groups will strengthen the unity of Nigeria and that is handshake across the Niger. Those who are against this unity are sowing seed of discord.
"We have not come here as a gang up or alliance, we have come here to fight a common oppressor.
"If you go into election (2019) without restructuring and a new constitution, you are deceiving yourself. We must go into the election with a new constitution.
"Buhari is the problem of Nigeria by opposing restructuring. Dividing Igbos and Yorubas is a thing of the past, we are already lookong forward into the future, not the past.
"I want to warn you, Buhari will not do restructuring in peace because his people are the beneficiaries of the lopsided Structure. What is happening in Benue is an example and if you don't nip it in the bud, the country is gone".
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode called for proscription and categorisation of Fulani herdsmen as terrorist organisation.
Others at the parley included former governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo, Chief C. O. Adebanjo of Kwara, Chief Yinka Odumakin, Chief Olu Falae, Prof Banji Akintoye, Senator Femi Okurunmu, Chief Femi Fani Kayode, Mrs. Bucknor Akerele as well as members of the late Col. Francis Fajuyi led by Donald Fajuyi and Mrs. Sholape Fajuyi, among others.On the Igbo flank, were Prof Anya O. Anya, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Ikedi Ohakim, Prof Joe Irukwu, Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr Alex Otti, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Chris Anyanwu, Deputy Governors of Abia and Imo, Ude Oko-Chukwu and Eze Madumere respectively.
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