ENUGU—Igbo leaders yesterday gave reasons why Nigeria has continued to stagnate both politically and economically, saying that ”no one builds a super structure on a faulty”foundation.
According to them, “As a nation with enormous natural and human resources, Nigeria has refused to grow in line with the aspirations of her founding fathers.
Nigeria not working
”Nigeria is not working and cannot work because it now exists on a faulty foundation. The fundamental problem is structural. It is therefore time to review and fine-tune the bonds binding us as a nation, in preparation for the challenges of a new global order,” Ohanaeze stated.
The people spoke when the National Dialogue Advisory Committee visited the South East geopolitical zone in Enugu, noting that as a matter of urgency the committee should send an executive bill to the National Assembly to ensure the legality and integrity of the proposed national dialogue.
Referendum
Leaders from the zone also demanded that the outcome of the conference should be subjected to a national referendum to enable it become the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without any alteration.
Insist on equal representation
They also insisted on equal representation of the six geopolitical zones by 60 delegates each. The position of the zone was articulated in a memorandum presented by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the committee.
The memorandum was signed by President General of the association, Chief Gary Igariwey, Secretary General, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, Ezeuzu Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu, former Senate President, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former governors, Okwesilieze Nwodo and Sam Egwu; Prof Ukwu I. Ukwu, Chief Mbazulike Amechi and Ambassador L.O.C. Agubuzo.
Among the issues Ohanaeze listed for discussion at the conference include political structure of the country, forms of government, power of the tiers of government/devolution, revenue and fiscal federalism, derivation and distribution.
On citizenship
Others are citizenship rights, structure of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to improve the security of life and property ownership by Nigerians, judicature, population,census, religion and secularism as well as place of traditional rulers and institutions.
They then implored the committee to rise to the challenges of true patriotism by ensuring that the recommendations of the conference would lead to the realization of the dreams of the founding fathers of the country.
