Nigeria at 64: INC, PANDEF call for restructuring, say nothing to show at ‘old age’
01 October 2024 |
6:15 am
As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independent Anniversary, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex organisations in Niger Delta, said there is nothing much to celebrate.
As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independent Anniversary, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex organisations in Niger Delta, said there is nothing much to celebrate.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of INC, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, Nigeria has derailed from the right track, pointing out that there is an urgent need to get the country back on track otherwise it will continue to perform poorly, and the economy will continue to suffer.
He noted that the 1966 military coup d’etat was the point of derailment, where a perfect Constitution that was running smoothly was sacked and a rude, demonic military document was imposed. He said: “A parliamentary system, which favoured all the regions was aborted. It was a system where the regions had control of all their resources.
“Another factor that has kept Nigeria down 64 years after independence is corruption and bad leadership.” Oyakemeagbegha pointed out that besides the huge population, Nigeria cannot show anything that demonstrates it as a giant of Africa. He said: “No sector is doing well; be it the economy, sports, education, health, among others.”
The INC spokesman emphasised the need to ensure the democratic system works, where votes count. He added: “In as much as l will not support going back to the regional system because the minorities will be suppressed, l will call for true federalism.”
I also support the creation of more states, particularly in the South-South region.” On his part, the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Ken Robinson, wondered if there is any reason to congratulate Nigerians amid the current harsh economy and insecurity.
He, however, affirmed that the gift of life is enough to celebrate, but stressed that President Bola Tinubu needs to demonstrate greater efforts and assure Nigerians of his administration’s sincere commitment to improving their well-being and security, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
He said: “Unfortunately, at 64, Nigeria is not quite a nation; the country’s journey to nationhood and socio-economic development has been greatly impaired and constrained by structural and social defects.”
Robinson stressed that Nigerians are not united by language, religion, culture, or a common national story. He said that ethnicity, religion, and other primordial attachments have remained important tools of discord in the country.
“We have not been able to elevate ourselves above these debilitating sentiments and take advantage of our huge population, diversity, and abundant human and material resources. The cleavages of ethnocentrism, sectionalism, and parochialism have persisted over the years.”
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