Barrister Fabian Awhen
Nigeria as a conglomerate society consisting of peoples of several ethnic groups with approximately 250 languages like every other developing nation has its peculiar problems.
But of all the problems that have beset the nation since Independence in 1960, the issue of power-sharing and resource allocation has remained dominant in the nation’s political equation.
Apparently, this is a result of the fact that many years after Nigeria’s Independence the politics of ethnicity and class dominated the nation’s political canvass thus giving rise to group or ethnic interest rather than democratic values based on equity, justice and fair play
Put more succinctly, the various ethnic groups did not only pursue their own agenda but differed fundamentally in many aspects.
Indeed, these differences which range from group to personal interest have had a tremendous impact on the way political institutions have operated in the country with the major ethnic groups of Hausa- Fulani, Yoruba, and Ibo dictating the pace.
Agreeably, most of the political parties formed in Nigeria after independence were on ethic lines and did more by mobilizing their own communal groups in the power struggle ignoring the collective interests of the country.
Consequently, minority groups became alienated from the system.
The direct consequence of this is the absolute denial of the minority group in the polity particularly of the South-South geo-political extraction from being at the helm of affairs despite their intellectual and material contribution to the socio-economic and political growth of the Nigerian nation-state.
The same inequality exists in the resource allocation formula and in the dispersal of infrastructural facilities in the country.
Obviously, such identified lopsided power-sharing equation and distribution of the nation’s resources cannot be said to reflect the tenets of true federalism which has been canvassed by all Nigerians.
It is against this background that the Calabar Declaration 2004 by the South-South Peoples Assembly should not only be supported but defended by the people of the zone and all lovers of liberal democracy in other geo-political zones in the country.
The Declaration as it is, seeks to among other things galvanize the people of the region as well as create a balance in the distribution of the National cake through the proper application of justice, equity, and fair play in the body politics of Nigeria.
Furthermore, to canvass and secure the consent of all Nigerians the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2007 should come from the south-south zone which has not produced a president in the country since inception.
And also, to provide a platform for the people of the zone to rake support and recognition in all National issues as it is being done by other such groups like the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Ohaneze Forum, the Afanifere People’s Congress, the Middle Belt Congress among others.
By all assessments, the Declaration is a courageous document reflecting the wishes and aspirations of the south-south geo-political zone which cannot be faulted both in content and purposes.
One therefore commends the efforts of the initiators particularly the chairman of the forum Dr. Joseph Wayas and High Chief Dr. Raymond Dopkpesi Chairman of the Steering Committee, Senator Aniete Okon, and others for making the forum a success.
Again, that the forum was hosted in Calabar by Governor Donald Duke also speaks volumes of the commitment of the state administration to promote the spirit of regional cooperation as the first step to National integration.
One is equally happy that not too long ago the campaign was taken to Sokoto the seat of the caliphate to solicit support from former President Shehu Shagari and all other liberal democrats who believe and profess justice for the continued unity of the Nigerian Nation.
All said in the spirit of oneness, sincerity of purpose, and cooperation exhibited during the forum in Calabar should remain the guiding force through which the campaign shall be sustained while reaching out to other zones.
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