Of State of Origin, Amnesty, and Sovereign National Conference in Nigeria!

On April 03, 2012, in an article titled "Memo to the Constitutional Review Committee" we had this to say on the issue of Citizenship or State of Origin in Nigeria - A Practical Approach:

Section 15 (1), (2), (3), and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provides:

(1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.

(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.

(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to:

(a) Provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the Federation.

(b) Secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation.

"Today, and as it has always been, Section 15(3) (b) [of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria] is not given effect consistent with the legislative intent of the drafters. In Nigeria, a child born and nurtured in Lagos State, or River State, or Sokoto State whose parent migrated from Either Imo, Ogun or Edo State is not considered native of River, Lagos, or Sokoto State as the case may be. For instance, why must a child who has never spent more than a weekend at Ewohimi, or Abeokuta, or Owerri where his parents originally came from, be made to write Edo, Imo, or Ogun State as his State of origin during competitive exams? By doing so, that child is going to be assessed using the same benchmark as students born and schooled at Ewohimi, Abeokuta, and Owerri who sat for the same exams and happened to be products of the higher educational standard available in those cities."

"Unless the argument for introduction of state of origin in our admission application is a generic/biological factor, which to all intent and purposes, is not. If a particular state is educationally disadvantaged, for instance, Lagos state, invariably, every student in that state, no matter the state of origin of his or her parents, is a product of the quality of education available in that particular state (Lagos). In that case, in a competitive exam that child or candidate should be assessed using Lagos standard, and not the standard applicable in the state of origin of his or her parents - Edo, Imo, or Ogun."

"Adding to that, Section 15 (3) (b) provides automatic citizenship cover or protection to every Nigerian anywhere in the country irrespective of his or her original place of birth. In reality, that is not the case in Nigeria of today. Prospective employees or job applicants, whether in the private sector or in government, are made to enter, not their place of residence, but the state of their tribe - their parents. Why should a candidate who is applying to the Nigeria Police Force be made to get a letter from the Traditional Ruler and the Local Government Council of his or her parents before the application is deemed complete? The appropriate requirements should be proof of residence and verification of address in that particular state of residence and not proof of state of origin of the child’s parent." April 03, 2012

On June 09, 2012 in an article, titled "Divine Wisdom: Changing the World in Six Months",  we had this to say on the issue of Dialogue and Amnesty for Boko Haram. 

"We want to reinstate that Boko Haram is a real threat to our corporate existence as one country. We support dialogue in the past, because we believe that it is easier to subdue and conquer an enemy who you know and is in a bounded enclave than fighting an insurgent groups with no fixed address or a defined territory. Besides, a declaration of war on the sect is a declaration of war on innocent Nigerians who are in no way connected with the sect and their beliefs, but happen to share close proximity with them."

"As things are today, Government alone cannot wage a decisive battle against Boko Haram. Security Agencies alone cannot wage a decisive battle against Boko Haram. To be successful in dismantling the sect and their beliefs, our Security Agencies need the unflinching support of Local Chiefs, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, and above all, the loyalty of other peaceful and law abiding Muslims who do not share the jihadist  philosophy, forceful indoctrination campaign, and mayhem characteristics of the Boko Haram sect."

"In addition, if it is true as argued in some quarters that the escalation is a rejection of President Jonathan administration, we want to state on record that, if President Jonathan cannot rule Nigeria, no one, henceforth, can rule Nigeria. And if for any reason connected with the present state insecurity in the northern part of the country, he ceases to function as President, Nigeria will come to a standstill. The outcome would be such that when it is all over, there won't be a country called Nigeria again."

"Therefore, as we have argued elsewhere on this blog, Nigerians should give President Jonathan a chance; he did not breach any law by stepping into the vacuum created by the death of President Musa Yar'Adua. He acted within the confines of the law and the constitution. Every Nigerian must have the right to aspire to the highest office in the land through democratic process. Let's grow and develop our democracy in accordance with the trends in most developed countries of the World. Military coup is never a better option, it has never been and it will not be. If the Judiciary is independent and graft free, we will be able to manage the war against corruption, and at the same time, conduct a free, fair, and credible election." June 09, 2012

On November 21, 2012, in an article, titled "Decentralization, without Disintegration: The Starting Point." we had the to say on the issue of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and Leadership Deficit in Nigeria.

"Over the years, I have deliberately excused myself from the call for SNC, because I still believe that leadership, as well as, corruption epidemic are the major problems confronting Nigeria as a nation-state. My other fear is that when SNC is eventually convened, the same old political careerists who debased and wrecked this great nation would have control over the selection of potential delegates to the conference. And thirdly, the people making the call do not have a clear message. There is no existing coherent strategy for its actualization."

"Historically, the idea for an SNC was originally conceived by the progressives and social activists (not political careerists) in order to wrest power from the over bloated and under-performing power clique at the center headed by the Military. As it is today, the demand has been unduly politicized to the extent that any mention of SNC is perceived as a call for disintegration of Nigeria. And that is a misconception that must be corrected fast."

"In addition, SNC has no visible leadership at the moment. What is going on behind the scene is basically power play – political careerists, presently left out of power and influence, have resorted to agitating for SNC, making it a north versus south affair. They hijacked it and transformed it into a struggle for power between it and the often reviled northern power elite groups. That is an insider war that southern progressives and social activists must first win - taking the demand out of the reach and control of politicians."

"SNC, as originally created was not an exercise in vain. But it has to be refined and given a new meaning to sync with realities on the ground. There are fundamental national issues that need to be addressed - Nigerian secular nature, free education at all level, religion and the state, population, regional autonomy, the un-education of greater majority of northern children by successive northern administrators, and finally, land ownership and division of offshore mineral deposit between the coastal states and the central government."

"It is not enough to give a one liner argument, stating that you need a Sovereign National Conference, without actually saying why you need it. We had enough of the noise about the mistake of 1914 and the amalgamation brouhaha. Be substantive. Take a cue from conservative Northern Governors; they don't debate issues they consider sacrosanct or germane to their political, cultural, and religious interests with anyone outside of the geographical north. For instance, the promulgation of Sharia Law or the introduction of Native Police in most part of the northern region was never a subject of national referendum. It doesn't matter whether it benefits the generality of norther residents, provided that the ruling class are secured in their hold on power."

"From all indications, SNC is for progressives to lose. The untold truth is that there is no progressive agenda, as we have a northern and conservative agenda, headed by the Arewa Consultative Group or Forum, and supported by the Northern Governor Association. What we have in the south is a collection of political interest groups masquerading as concerned citizens and activists, without a clear purpose and mandate. Also, there is no marriage of thoughts existing between SNC advocates, Southern Governors, and members of the National Assembly from the region."

"That void must first be arrested for progressive agenda to evolve and given effect at the national level. The involvement of members of the National Assembly of southern heritage is sacrosanct to addressing the grievances underlying the demand for SNC."

"Therefore, you must first identify those issues and grievances succinctly and articulate them unambiguously to develop winnable argument and populist agenda. Finally, if you cannot articulate the issues, which in fact is true, set up a body to advice you on the subject similar to what the Northern Governors did few months ago with respect to the PIB - Petroleum Industry Bill. You cannot continue talking about change, if you cannot articulate the change or changes that you desire. Second step: Organize, organize, and organize. You don't have to wait for the President and the National Assembly to intervene and approve of your demand, before you start the briefing process through summit and conferences. Third step: Know your audience, and speak the English that people can easily understand."  November 21, 2012

We have always supported Dialogue, but not Amnesty. Dialogue should be the first step, except of course, those pushing for amnesty are already in contact with the leadership of the sects, with the understanding that they are willing to accept peace and renounce their bloody campaign to transform Nigeria into a Sharia Law State. On the issue of SNC, it is my firm belief that established writers need to do more; one sentence or one paragraph demand for talk, dialogue, or SNC is not enough. Let Nigerians know how you feel about the issue.