‘An idea whose time has come’ — coalition calls for restructuring of Nigeria

The Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities (CIEN) says the call for restructuring of the country is pertinent and timely.

The group spoke on Thursday in a joint statement signed by Benjamin Okaba, chairman of CIEN; Timothy B. Gandu, co-chairman; and Nubari Saatah, secretary of CIEN.

The group said the 1999 constitution has a faulty foundation, adding that the call for restructuring is an idea whose time has come.

The coalition said the country is experiencing degeneration due to the rise of secessionist movements, ethnic and religious intolerance, insurgency, banditry, economic decline, and skewed wealth distribution.

“Today, more than at any point in Nigeria’s history, calls for the urgent restructuring of the country have been at their loudest, and continue to reverberate,” the statement said.

“CIEN would like to inform the Nigerian public and the political leadership, that after due deliberations and consultation on the restructuring of the Nigerian federation, we have put together recommendations and templates which we strongly believe will contribute immensely to our current state.

“The Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities has taken cognizance of the fact that our faulty socio-political and socio-economic structures are traceable to the 1999 Nigeria Constitution.

“We therefore believe that the call for the restructuring of the Nigerian Federation is germane and an idea whose time has come.

“It is on this note that CIEN would like to inform the Nigerian public and its political leadership, that after due deliberations and consultation on the restructuring of the Nigerian federation, we have put together recommendations and templates which we strongly believe if and when implemented, will serve to steer Nigeria away from a more tumultuous immediate future, and towards a more prosperous future where the hopes and aspirations of the indigenous ethnic nationalities will be actualised.

“In furtherance of this, and conscious of the times, CIEN has forwarded a letter and accompanying recommendations to the president and commander in chief of the armed forces, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as we move towards deepening the conversation on the restructuring of the Nigerian federation.

“CIEN has also forwarded these recommendations to the leadership of the Nigerian Senate, and the House of Representatives, respectively.”

The group urged political representatives to take necessary actions to give Nigeria’s over 450 ethnic nationalities a voice and renewed hope.