Groups demand regionalism, parliamentary system, new name for Nigeria

Major ethnic groups across Nigeria have stated that only regionalism and parliamentary system of government can solve the country’s myriad challenges.

The groups under the aegis of The Rebirth Group (TRG), made this known in a communiqué made available to The Guardian in Ibadan over the weekend.

Meanwhile, other groups at a two-day symposium in Kaduna State, insisted that the time has come for the country to be reorganised into an eight regional structure to promote development.

The Guardian learnt that the Kaduna symposium entitled, ‘Envisioning Nigeria’s Future: Addressing the National Question’, was convened by Owolabi Oladejo.

In a communiqué jointly signed by Jare Ajayi, DIY Nweze and Olaolu Abogunloko, TRG resolved that Nigeria should be re-organised into regions, to end some of the challenges facing it.

The groups also suggested that the country should be renamed United Regions of Nigeria (URN).

The communiqué explained that restructuring into regions would not be to abrogate states that we have presently.

It stated, “The regions would form the federating units to make the country to be known as URN or any other nomenclature that we find convenient.”

The group further explained that in the proposed regional government, each region is expected to have its own “constitution and be autonomous” to ensure that they are in a proper position to operationalise self-determination.

“The restructuring must be such that the community, state and local government from where certain resources come should have 70 per cent of the proceeds of the resources while 30 per cent goes to the centre,” the communiqué added.

At the opening ceremony of the national symposium, the National President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu, said the Middle Belt believes in the oneness of Nigeria and the need to restructure.

According to the president, who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Alamu, “for instance, we in the Middle Belt want more states in the zone.”

Convener of the two-day summit, Owolabi Oladejo, explained that the first series of the symposium was held in Ibadan in 2023, describing TRG as a platform where people of ethnic nationalities and minorities can air their views freely on the future of Nigeria.

A communiqué read by the chairman of the communiqué drafting committee, Jare Ajayi, noted that the proposed regions should be given more powers over their respective affairs.

“To avoid domination or even sit-tight syndrome, heads of each level of government should be rotational on the basis of the constituents within that enclave. When the head comes from one area, the deputy would be from another part.

“The latter would automatically become the head of the government at the end of the tenure of the incumbent. This should be done in a manner that each constituent area in the state, region and the country will have the opportunity to be head of government in turn.”

Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) charged the National Assembly Committee on the Review of the Constitution to discharge their responsibility with utmost consideration with a view to return the country to regional system of government.

In a statement, yesterday, Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, supported the growing calls by various ethnic groups across the country for return to the 1960 Constitution.

The congress reaffirmed its support for a call by a group of ethnic nationalities for Nigeria to be restructured into six re-organised regions.

The statement reads: “For Nigeria to make any meaningful progress, we must return to regionalism. It is the best system that will engender progress and development for a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria.

“What we are proposing is a regional system that will make the regions self-reliant. Each region will be in control of whatever is produced and generated in the zone. They will also keep 70 per cent of such generated revenue and send 30 per cent to the centre.