NigerianNews |
 |
Guest |
|
World
Igbo Congress 2000: The Tasks Before Ndiigbo. The convergence of Igbo leaders in Dallas, beginning from 2nd September 2000, on the occasion of the third World Igbo Congress could not have come at a better time than this period of "renaissance" of Igbo nationalism. In deed, this is a period best described as the "rise and rise of nationalism" across all Nigerian nationalities. For the first time in thirty years Igbo peoples and leaders are unanimously continuing to assert their right to self-determination and autonomy within one truly Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are not alone. Self-determinism
within a true federation is the swan song of the Yoruba, Ijaw, Idoma and
virtually all the nationalities of the "South South", "Middle
Belt" and the minority nations of the "North". The Hausa-Fulani
people have progressed several steps farther than other nationalities by
unilaterally declaring and implementing full sharia law across their nation,
arguably, in contravention and in breach of the relevant provisions of Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. The Yoruba nation has already set
up a blue print of its autonomy charter in the "Odua
Development Company" document. The nationalities of the "South
South" are reported to be currently drafting relevant legislation to
actualize the control of resources within their territories. If
every constituent Nigerian nationality is either by declaration or conduct
demanding and/or taking practical steps to implement their self-determination
and autonomy, what is holding back the Igbo people from taking further practical
steps, beyond declarations, towards actualizing their destiny? What factors are
currently stagnating the realisation of true federalism in Nigeria and what
should the Igbo leadership and leaders of other nationalities do to facilitate
and quicken the realisation of their's and Nigeria's destinies? But
first, what factors precipitate the rise of nationalism in Igboland and
elsewhere in Nigeria? We shall attempt to answer these questions in summary,
with emphasis on the Igbo perspective but in a manner that is relevant to
Nigeria and all of its nationalities. Factors
precipitating the rise in nationalism. Nigerian
nationalities are haunted by the consequences of an untenable and unsustainable
"unitary federalism" unilaterally foisted on them by military
conquest and acquiescence, following the events of 1966-1970. Chief amongst
these consequences include: ·
unilateral
acquisition of the resources owned by the nationalities by a consistently
unrepresentative unitary federal authority hijacked and dominated by force of
arms and/or apprehended fear of the use of force of arm, by the Hausa-Fulani; ·
an unfair
exponentially disproportionate allocation of States and Local Government Areas to the Hausa-Fulani
nationality by means of which they correspondingly appropriate to themselves,
more than their fair share and quota of national resources to the detriment of
other nationalities; ·
political
domination of the Igbo and other nationalities occasioned by the Nigerian State
structure which guarantees Hausa-Fulani
hegemony in the Federal Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary; ·
domination
of federal government, the civil service and government owned enterprises by
largely the Hausa-Fulani and the
Yoruba to a lesser extent; ·
almost
near absence of the Igbo at any reasonable levels and satisfactory degree in the
Armed Forces and Security Services of the federation and Hausa-Fulani domination
of those institutions; ·
cultural
genocide precipitated by the forced and non-consensual Balkanization of the Igbo
people into several states, in addition to the stifling federal presence in
their affairs; ·
adoption
of several targeted government policies and other measures such as sharia, which
stifle and destroy small business and the informal economy, the only area in
Nigerian affairs in which, arguably, the Igbos dominate through their personal
efforts and industry; ·
corruption
and massive looting of national resources by the nationalities who have been in
power and in control of the various federal governments, thus precipitating a
total break down of federal infrastructure, law and order and the consequent
unemployment and moral decadence in the polity and ·
legacies
of brutal military dictatorship, including violation of human rights, lack of
respect for the sanctity of human life and dignity and total degradation of the
environment, biodiversity and flora and fauna. We
must add that many of these factors affect to varying degrees, some
nationalities other than the Igbo. In addition, the factors listed here are only
a summary and are by no means exhaustive of the consequences of the Nigerian
misnomer and its non-negotiated militarily imposed "unitary
federalism". These factors fuel the current wave of nationalism across the
Nigerian polity and the specific actions undertaken by the various nationalities
to date towards actualizing true federalism in Nigeria. The Igbo leadership,
though currently more cautious than the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba, for obvious
reasons, has nonetheless taken various commendable steps towards actualization
of true federation. Steps
undertaken by the Igbo leadership. The
institution of the meeting of Governors of the SouthEast States and that of the
Speakers of Houses of Assembly are right steps in the right direction. Further
major steps undertaken include: ·
the call
for confederation by the said Governors, if the Hausa-Fulani persists with
sharia law. This call was backed by OHANEZE and given support by AFENIFERE; ·
the
statement by Governor Orji Kalu of Abia State supported by other Igbo Governors
that Igbos would retaliate any further unprovoked killing of their people any
where within the federation; ·
OHANEZE's
response to sharia and sharia killings by recommending that Igbo sons and
daughters not be posted to sharia States for their NYSC service; ·
OHANEZE's
initiative for a joint Southern response to sharia and the realisation of that
initiative; ·
the
working agreement between OHANEZE and AFENEFERE and their joint call for
Sovereign National Conference and true federation; ·
the joint
meetings between "South East" and "South South" Governors; ·
the
support and legitimization of "BAKASSI BOYS" in its various forms to
ensure security and protect lives and property across Igboland; ·
resolutions
of the Houses of Assembly in the South East calling for Sovereign National
Conference/true federation; ·
the
recent call by OHANAEZE that all incarcerated MASSOB members be freed by the
Police; ·
the first
and second World Igbo Congress meetings in London and USA. Many
of these initiatives have resulted in inter and intra nationalities cooperative
arrangements, including resolutions passed in the Houses of Assembly across the
"South West" and "South South". Again this list is only a
summary and not exhaustive. Notwithstanding
these initiatives and those of other nationalities, the drive for true
federation appear to have stagnated. Why is it so? Factors
inhibiting true federation. Several
factors stand in the way of establishing true federation in Nigeria, and thus by
implication denying self-determination to the nationalities. The
balance of power equation in Nigeria favours the status quo and the
Hausa-Fulani, given their domination of the Armed Forces and Security Services
alluded to earlier. Many nationalities are therefore mindful of the military
returning to power on account of Hausa-Fulani
opposition to true federation. While the fear of a military comeback by
the nationalities is understandable, it is doubtful that the Nigerian military
is hardly in any position to attempt to return to government, nor does it have
the capacity to do so. For one, the international climate renders that option
untenable, secondly, the balance of power equation has altered to some
considerable extent by the Yoruba-Middle Belt alliance in the Armed Forces since
Obasanjo came to power, thirdly, a Hausa-Fulani military coup would precipitate
resistance by most nationalities and therefore civil war and finally, such a
coup would precipitate out right secession by most nationalities and
disintegration of Nigeria. The
Government of President Obasanjo is opposed to true federation and sees such
calls for reform as a call for disintegration of the country. Many fear that the
President could unilaterally use his executive powers to forestall any moves by
any nationality to unilaterally declare its autonomy. Such fears may have basis
given the events in Odi but the equally federal inaction against sharia may mean
they are baseless. However, it would be unconstitutional for the President to
take such unilateral measures. Many
nationalities see the current constitution review processes instituted in the
National Assembly as capable of introducing true federation. This position is
hardly tenable. The National Assembly is dominated by forces opposed to true
federation , therefore any vote on that issue on the floor of both Houses is
doomed to fail. Where compromise is pursued, any compromise coming out of the
National Assembly on that issue will favour the status quo and fall short
significantly, of the wishes of most of the nationalities. Some
nationalities are hopeful that a National Conference (whether Sovereign or not)
would eventuate and by implication precipitate the formation of true federation.
Notwithstanding massive support for this option across all nationalities,
this scenario is becoming increasingly unlikely, given Government and
Hausa-Fulani opposition to it, and the lack of interest in the National
Assembly. There is therefore no means by which the enabling law and logistics to
institute a national conference can be given effect. A
lot of hope is also, being hinged on the six/eight regional structure attributed
to "the Patriots", as a possible compromise model which the
Hausa-Fulani, President Obasanjo and the National Assembly might be convinced to
accept. While this model appears to enjoy some support amongst some elements
within the status quo as the better of two or more evils, there has been no
forthcoming categorical statements from the major forces opposing true
federation. In the face of federal inaction against sharia, some argue that the
Hausa-Fulani has already secured
all they need from a national conference and
therefore may see no need to negotiate or accept the regional structure
in exchange for being allowed to keep full sharia. The
refusal of the Federal Government to challenge sharia on constitutional grounds
and its opposition to such privately instituted actions do not seem to have
helped matters either. While the Government has insisted on political resolution
of the sharia issue, it has failed to publicly announce what such political
options might be. Could it then be that a deal might be done to exchange sharia
for a regional federal structure? Otherwise, no possible political option for
resolution of the sharia problem would qualify as a solution at all. Attempts to
suspend the Sharia laws have already failed. Besides, suspension of a law in
force is legally impossible because a law once in force, can neither
be suspended nor dispensed with, unless repealed. Further, a repeal of
the laws would be a total back down by the sharia States, something they have
sworn never to do. Finally, asking non-Muslims to forgive and forget and
tolerate sharia is equally no solution at all. So what is the Federal
Government's political resolution? Who would pay compensation for loss of Igbo
lives, properties and businesses? As
political resolutions to sharia were not sought during the drafting and debate
stages of the first Zamfara State Sharia Code, the first opportunity at
political resolution was lost. Furthermore, had sharia been challenged in the
Courts, a decision for or against it would naturally have precipitated a
consequential political resolution, which could have created an opportunity for
compromises over true federation and autonomy for the respective nationalities. It
seems obvious from the analysis herein that the current thinking on ways and
means of achieving true federation, self-determination and autonomy appear to be
currently running out of options. New approaches outside the current thinking
need to be adopted in order to kick-start the stagnated movement and fast-track
Igbo self-determination and autonomy.
The
tasks before the current World Igbo Congress Having
come a long way, the Igbo and other nationalities must bring their quest for
autonomy and self-determination to
its logical conclusion. The Hausa-Fulani has set the precedent by undertaking
unilateral action to legislate and implement self-determination for its people.
The Igbo and other nationalities must follow their example and they can do so
without breaching any provisions of the Constitution
1999, or any other laws of the current Federation and International law. We
recommend that the current World Igbo Congress, OHANEZE and any other
nationalities that may be interested in their people's self-determination
consider the following proposals, where relevant. Interim
immediate measures to actualize Igbo autonomy It
is no longer adequate to make mere resolutions calling for true federation. Igbo
leaders should consider moving forward to mandate all Houses of Assembly in
South East States to pass uniform enabling legislation declaring all such States
as agreeing to constitute a common economic, cultural and political cooperative
union with every and each other. The States remain entities within the Constitution,
but a legitimate union, which contravenes no known constitutional
provisions. The
meeting of South East Governors should metamorphose into a Union of Governors or
a College of Governors with a rotational Chairperson on a yearly term, others
being First Chairpersons or Deputy Chairpersons representing their areas. Each
Governor would exercise executive powers of their States as usual but this time
in a coordinated and integrated manner as to achieve "Igbo-wide"
results and objectives. All
corresponding ministries and parastatals in the Union would constitute Commissions and the respective Commissioners
and Heads of parastatals shall represent their States in the appropriate
Commissions that would determine specifically targeted directions for
integrated "Igbo-wide" programs. All ministries and
commissioners should have coordinated and integrated
plans and approaches determined by their specific and Union objectives. The
meeting of "South East" Speakers of the Houses of Assembly should
metamorphose into Consultative Union Conferences of the South East, to ratify
Igbo-wide directions, programs and laws to be given effect by legislation
subsequently passed by each House independently as is allowed within the Constitution. The
thrust of the above recommendations is to actualize Igbo self-determination
immediately and give effect to it within the current laws and without breach of
the Constitution. These are interim
measures only and would render some aspects of the current untenable
balkanization of Igboland ineffective or at most artificial. Measures
directed at achieving complete and permanent autonomy. Every
peoples have a right to self-determination within the sovereignty of their
existing country, under International Laws and Convenants. That is to say that
as long as the Igbo or any other nationality is not seceding from Nigeria, they
have a right to demand autonomy and self-determination to manage their day to
day lives and affairs. In
this regard, the quest for true federation must and should be taken to its next
logical level - first, it must be demonstrated practically and unequivocally to
all Nigerians that Igbos want self-determination, then secondly, if this
demonstration fails to achieve positive results, then internationally at the
United Nations and the OAU. In
this regard, we recommend that the current World Igbo Congress and OHANEZE
consider to direct all Houses of Assembly and Governments in the South East to
pass and facilitate the passing of the enabling legislation in each State,
instituting a plebiscite or referendum on a simple question of whether or not
Igbos want self-determination and autonomy or to continue with the current
structure. The
States have powers under current laws to conduct such referenda, if only to
formulate a basis for forwarding a requisite bill to the National Assembly.
Armed with the result of such a referenda, the Federal Government and others who
oppose Igbo self-determination will have no legitimacy both within Nigeria and
internationally to refuse to set in motion the necessary processes for a proper
negotiation of the Nigerian Federation. We
would expect that the Yoruba and other cooperating and confederating
nationalities would and should adopted the two approaches above as a means of
fast-tracking the realisation of a national conference and subsequently, true
federation. Other
measures for actualization of autonomy. A
great number of Igbos constitute parts of Delta and Rivers States. We understand
that OHANEZE and other Igbo leadership groups incorporate our brothers and
sisters in these States and also other Igbo minorities in some neighboring
States. We
recommend that the current World Igbo Congress and OHANEZE consider setting up
appropriate committees with the task of determining the wishes of Igbos in
States outside the "SouthEast", with a view to accommodating their
wishes into any Igbo self-determination agenda. In this regard, no stone should be left unturned in
ensuring that any fears they may have is discussed and addressed and all past
mistakes and wrongs corrected, if necessary in written treaty. Particular
attention must be paid to ensuring that substantial autonomy is allowed to any
Igbo clans who may so wish in a future Igbo autonomy, on mutually agreed terms.
This Committee should be empowered to determine the boundaries, lands and seas
that constitute the autonomous Igboland. It
is also recommended that the appropriate committee be set up to enter into
negotiation with all the nationalities having boundaries with Igboland, the
Ibibio, Effik, Ijaw, all other nationalities of the East, "South
South", Idoma, "Middle Belt" and the "Mid West" with a
view to pursuing various forms of unions and cooperation, as may be agreed, and
in furtherance of the age-old common destinies and relationships between our
peoples. Special attention must be paid to ensuring that any fears they may have
is discussed and addressed and all past mistakes and wrongs corrected, if
necessary in written treaties. Particular attention must be paid to ensuring
that Igbos make commitments towards assisting these peoples realize their
destinies and self-determination, including their fight for control of their
resources. It
is recommended that Congress mandate OHANEZE and any relevant committees to
continue to work with the Yoruba, Ijaw and other nationalities which have a
common aim of achieving
self-determination and autonomy within one truly Federal Republic of Nigeria. It
is recommended that Congress mandate a Committee to investigate the impeachment
of Dr Chuba Okadigbo, and determine whether his removal from the office of
Senate President has any strategic connection with the race for the 2003
Presidential Elections and the fact of his
political stature as a formidable potential Presidential Candidate in 2003. In
addition, it is recommended that Congress consider mandating the Committee to
consult widely with Igbos such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku and other Igbo sons of
like capacity and stature to consider coming forward as Presidential Candidates
for the Federal 2003 Presidential Elections. We consider it a matter of strategy
to find such Igbo candidates now and begin to campaign much earlier, to
compensate for the likely negative impact of potential incumbency factors.
It
is recommended that the Enugu International Airport Campaign be fully supported
and taken up and over by Igbo leaders. It
is recommended that Igbos proceed with the Igbo Day Celebrations to honour Igbo
war dead as scheduled. It
is recommended that the project to rehabilitate the war wounded at Oji River and
elsewhere in the former East be supported and fast-tracked. Long
live Igbo self-determination and Autonomy within a truly federal Nigeria. Long
live a truly Federal Republic of Nigeria. Long
Live self-determination and Autonomy of Nigerian Nationalities.
|