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World Igbo Congress 2000: The Tasks Before Ndiigbo
 

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 Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi
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The convergence of Igbo leaders in Dallas, beginning from 2nd September 2000, on the occasion of the third World Igbo Congress could not have come at a better time than this period of "renaissance" of Igbo nationalism. In deed, this is a period best described as the "rise and rise of nationalism" across all Nigerian nationalities. For the first time in thirty years Igbo peoples and leaders are unanimously continuing to assert their right to self-determination and autonomy within one truly Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are not alone.

Self-determinism within a true federation is the swan song of the Yoruba, Ijaw, Idoma and virtually all the nationalities of the "South South", "Middle Belt" and the minority nations of the "North". The Hausa-Fulani people have progressed several steps farther than other nationalities by unilaterally declaring and implementing full sharia law across their nation, arguably, in contravention and in breach of the relevant provisions of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. The Yoruba nation has already set up a blue print of its autonomy charter in the "Odua Development Company" document. The nationalities of the "South South" are reported to be currently drafting relevant legislation to actualise the control of resources within their territories.

If every constituent Nigerian nationality is either by declaration or conduct demanding and/or taking practical steps to implement their self-determination and autonomy, what is holding back the Igbo people from taking further practical steps, beyond declarations, towards actualising their destiny? What factors are currently stagnating the realisation of true federalism in Nigeria and what should the Igbo leadership and leaders of other nationalities do to facilitate and quicken the realisation of their's and Nigeria's destinies?

But first, what factors precipitate the rise of nationalism in Igboland and elsewhere in Nigeria? We shall attempt to answer these questions in summary, with emphasis on the Igbo perspective but in a manner that is relevant to Nigeria and all of its nationalities.

Factors precipitating the rise in nationalism.

Nigerian nationalities are haunted by the consequences of an untenable and unsustainable "unitary federalism" unilaterally foisted on them by military conquest and acquiescence, following the events of 1966-1970. Chief amongst these consequences include:

  • unilateral acquisition of the resources owned by the nationalities by a consistently unrepresentative unitary federal authority hijacked and dominated by force of arms and/or apprehended fear of the use of force of arm, by the Hausa-Fulani;

  • an unfair exponentially disproportionate allocation of States and Local Government Areas to the Hausa-Fulani nationality by means of which they correspondingly appropriate to themselves, more than their fair share and quota of national resources to the detriment of other nationalities;

  • political domination of the Igbo and other nationalities occasioned by the Nigerian State structure which guarantees Hausa-Fulani hegemony in the Federal Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary;

  • domination of federal government, the civil service and government owned enterprises by largely the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba to a lesser extent;

  • almost near absence of the Igbo at any reasonable levels and satisfactory degree in the Armed Forces and Security Services of the federation and Hausa-Fulani domination of those institutions;

  • cultural genocide precipitated by the forced and non-consensual Balkanization of the Igbo people into several states, in addition to the stifling federal presence in their affairs;

  • adoption of several targeted government policies and other measures such as sharia, which stifle and destroy small business and the informal economy, the only area in Nigerian affairs in which, arguably, the Igbos dominate through their personal efforts and industry;

  • corruption and massive looting of national resources by the nationalities who have been in power and in control of the various federal governments, thus precipitating a total break down of federal infrastructure, law and order and the consequent unemployment and moral decadence in the polity and legacies of brutal military dictatorship, including violation of human rights, lack of respect for the sanctity of human life and dignity and total degradation of the environment, biodiversity and flora and fauna.

We must add that many of these factors affect to varying degrees, some nationalities other than the Igbo. In addition, the factors listed here are only a summary and are by no means exhaustive of the consequences of the Nigerian misnomer and its non-negotiated militarily imposed "unitary federalism". These factors fuel the current wave of nationalism across the Nigerian polity and the specific actions undertaken by the various nationalities to date towards actualising true federalism in Nigeria. The Igbo leadership, though currently more cautious than the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba, for obvious reasons, has nonetheless taken various commendable steps towards actualisation of true federation.

Steps undertaken by the Igbo leadership.

The institution of the meeting of Governors of the SouthEast States and that of the Speakers of Houses of Assembly are right steps in the right direction. Further major steps undertaken include:

  • the call for confederation by the said Governors, if the Hausa-Fulani persists with sharia law. This call was backed by OHANEZE and given support by AFENIFERE;

  • the statement by Governor Orji Kalu of Abia State supported by other Igbo Governors that Igbos would retaliate any further unprovoked killing of their people any where within the federation;

  • OHANEZE's response to sharia and sharia killings by recommending that Igbo sons and daughters not be posted to sharia States for their NYSC service;

  • OHANEZE's initiative for a joint Southern response to sharia and the realisation of that initiative;

  • the working agreement between OHANEZE and AFENEFERE and their joint call for Sovereign National Conference and true federation;

  • the joint meetings between "South East" and "South South" Governors;

  • the support and legitimisation of "BAKASSI BOYS" in its various forms to ensure security and protect lives and property across Igboland;

  • resolutions of the Houses of Assembly in the South East calling for Sovereign National Conference/true federation; the recent call by OHANAEZE that all incarcerated MASSOB members be freed by the Police;

  • the first and second World Igbo Congress meetings in London and USA.

Many of these initiatives have resulted in inter and intra nationalities cooperative arrangements, including resolutions passed in the Houses of Assembly across the "South West" and "South South". Again this list is only a summary and not exhaustive.

Notwithstanding these initiatives and those of other nationalities, the drive for true federation appear to have stagnated. Why is it so?

Factors inhibiting true federation.

Several factors stand in the way of establishing true federation in Nigeria, and thus by implication denying self-determination to the nationalities.

The balance of power equation in Nigeria favours the status quo and the Hausa-Fulani, given their domination of the Armed Forces and Security Services alluded to earlier. Many nationalities are therefore mindful of the military returning to power on account of Hausa-Fulani opposition to true federation. While the fear of a military comeback by the nationalities is understandable, it is doubtful that the Nigerian military is hardly in any position to attempt to return to government, nor does it have the capacity to do so. For one, the international climate renders that option untenable, secondly, the balance of power equation has altered to some considerable extent by the Yoruba-Middle Belt alliance in the Armed Forces since Obasanjo came to power, thirdly, a Hausa-Fulani military coup would precipitate resistance by most nationalities and therefore civil war and finally, such a coup would precipitate out right secession by most nationalities and disintegration of Nigeria.

The Government of President Obasanjo is opposed to true federation and sees such calls for reform as a call for disintegration of the country. Many fear that the President could unilaterally use his executive powers to forestall any moves by any nationality to unilaterally declare its autonomy. Such fears may have basis given the events in Odi but the equally federal inaction against sharia may mean they are baseless. However, it would be unconstitutional for the President to take such unilateral measures.

Many nationalities see the current constitution review processes instituted in the National Assembly as capable of introducing true federation. This position is hardly tenable. The National Assembly is dominated by forces opposed to true federation , therefore any vote on that issue on the floor of both Houses is doomed to fail. Where compromise is pursued, any compromise coming out of the National Assembly on that issue will favour the status quo and fall short significantly, of the wishes of most of the nationalities.

Some nationalities are hopeful that a National Conference (whether Sovereign or not) would eventuate and by implication precipitate the formation of true federation. Notwithstanding massive support for this option across all nationalities, this scenario is becoming increasingly unlikely, given Government and Hausa-Fulani opposition to it, and the lack of interest in the National Assembly. There is therefore no means by which the enabling law and logistics to institute a national conference can be given effect.

A lot of hope is also, being hinged on the six/eight regional structure attributed to "the Patriots", as a possible compromise model which the Hausa-Fulani, President Obasanjo and the National Assembly might be convinced to accept. While this model appears to enjoy some support amongst some elements within the status quo as the better of two or more evils, there has been no forthcoming categorical statements from the major forces opposing true federation. In the face of federal inaction against sharia, some argue that the Hausa-Fulani has already secured all they need from a national conference and therefore may see no need to negotiate or accept the regional structure in exchange for being allowed to keep full sharia.

The refusal of the Federal Government to challenge sharia on constitutional grounds and its opposition to such privately instituted actions do not seem to have helped matters either. While the Government has insisted on political resolution of the sharia issue, it has failed to publicly announce what such political options might be. Could it then be that a deal might be done to exchange sharia for a regional federal structure? Otherwise, no possible political option for resolution of the sharia problem would qualify as a solution at all. Attempts to suspend the Sharia laws have already failed. Besides, suspension of a law in force is legally impossible because a law once in force, can neither be suspended nor dispensed with, unless repealed. Further, a repeal of the laws would be a total back down by the sharia States, something they have sworn never to do. Finally, asking non-Muslims to forgive and forget and tolerate sharia is equally no solution at all. So what is the Federal Government's political resolution? Who would pay compensation for loss of Igbo lives, properties and businesses?

As political resolutions to sharia were not sought during the drafting and debate stages of the first Zamfara State Sharia Code, the first opportunity at political resolution was lost. Furthermore, had sharia been challenged in the Courts, a decision for or against it would naturally have precipitated a consequential political resolution, which could have created an opportunity for compromises over true federation and autonomy for the respective nationalities.

It seems obvious from the analysis herein that the current thinking on ways and means of achieving true federation, self-determination and autonomy appear to be currently running out of options. New approaches outside the current thinking need to be adopted in order to kick-start the stagnated movement and fast-track Igbo self-determination and autonomy.

The tasks before the current World Igbo Congress

Having come a long way, the Igbo and other nationalities must bring their quest for autonomy and self-determination to its logical conclusion. The Hausa-Fulani has set the precedent by undertaking unilateral action to legislate and implement self-determination for its people. The Igbo and other nationalities must follow their example and they can do so without breaching any provisions of the Constitution 1999, or any other laws of the current Federation and International law. We recommend that the current World Igbo Congress, OHANEZE and any other nationalities that may be interested in their people's self-determination consider the following proposals, where relevant.

Interim immediate measures to actualise Igbo autonomy

It is no longer adequate to make mere resolutions calling for true federation. Igbo leaders should consider moving forward to mandate all Houses of Assembly in South East States to pass uniform enabling legislation declaring all such States as agreeing to constitute a common economic, cultural and political cooperative union with every and each other. The States remain entities within the Constitution, but a legitimate union, which contravenes no known constitutional provisions.

The meeting of South East Governors should metamorphose into a Union of Governors or a College of Governors with a rotational Chairperson on a yearly term, others being First Chairpersons or Deputy Chairpersons representing their areas. Each Governor would exercise executive powers of their States as usual but this time in a coordinated and integrated manner as to achieve "Igbo-wide" results and objectives.

All corresponding ministries and parastatals in the Union would constitute Commissions and the respective Commissioners and Heads of parastatals shall represent their States in the appropriate Commissions that would determine specifically targeted directions for integrated "Igbo-wide" programs. All ministries and commissioners should have coordinated and integrated plans and approaches determined by their specific and Union objectives.

The meeting of "South East" Speakers of the Houses of Assembly should metamorphose into Consultative Union Conferences of the South East, to ratify Igbo-wide directions, programs and laws to be given effect by legislation subsequently passed by each House independently as is allowed within the Constitution.

The thrust of the above recommendations is to actualise Igbo self-determination immediately and give effect to it within the current laws and without breach of the Constitution. These are interim measures only and would render some aspects of the current untenable Balkanization of Igboland ineffective or at most artificial.

Measures directed at achieving complete and permanent autonomy.

Every peoples have a right to self-determination within the sovereignty of their existing country, under International Laws and Convenants. That is to say that as long as the Igbo or any other nationality is not seceding from Nigeria, they have a right to demand autonomy and self-determination to manage their day to day lives and affairs.

In this regard, the quest for true federation must and should be taken to its next logical level - first, it must be demonstrated practically and unequivocally to all Nigerians that Igbos want self-determination, then secondly, if this demonstration fails to achieve positive results, then internationally at the United Nations and the OAU.

In this regard, we recommend that the current World Igbo Congress and OHANEZE consider to direct all Houses of Assembly and Governments in the South East to pass and facilitate the passing of the enabling legislation in each State, instituting a plebiscite or referendum on a simple question of whether or not Igbos want self-determination and autonomy or to continue with the current structure.

The States have powers under current laws to conduct such referenda, if only to formulate a basis for forwarding a requisite bill to the National Assembly. Armed with the result of such a referenda, the Federal Government and others who oppose Igbo self-determination will have no legitimacy both within Nigeria and internationally to refuse to set in motion the necessary processes for a proper negotiation of the Nigerian Federation.

We would expect that the Yoruba and other cooperating and confederating nationalities would and should adopted the two approaches above as a means of fast-tracking the realisation of a national conference and subsequently, true federation.

Other measures for actualisation of autonomy.

A great number of Igbos constitute parts of Delta and Rivers States. We understand that OHANEZE and other Igbo leadership groups incorporate our brothers and sisters in these States and also other Igbo minorities in some neighbouring States.

We recommend that the current World Igbo Congress and OHANEZE consider setting up appropriate committees with the task of determining the wishes of Igbos in States outside the "SouthEast", with a view to accommodating their wishes into any Igbo self-determination agenda. In this regard, no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that any fears they may have is discussed and addressed and all past mistakes and wrongs corrected, if necessary in written treaty. Particular attention must be paid to ensuring that substantial autonomy is allowed to any Igbo clans who may so wish in a future Igbo autonomy, on mutually agreed terms. This Committee should be empowered to determine the boundaries, lands and seas that constitute the autonomous Igboland.

It is also recommended that the appropriate committee be set up to enter into negotiation with all the nationalities having boundaries with Igboland, the Ibibio, Effik, Ijaw, all other nationalities of the East, "South South", Idoma, "Middle Belt" and the "Mid West" with a view to pursuing various forms of unions and cooperation, as may be agreed, and in furtherance of the age-old common destinies and relationships between our peoples. Special attention must be paid to ensuring that any fears they may have is discussed and addressed and all past mistakes and wrongs corrected, if necessary in written treaties. Particular attention must be paid to ensuring that Igbos make commitments towards assisting these peoples realise their destinies and self-determination, including their fight for control of their resources.

It is recommended that Congress mandate OHANEZE and any relevant committees to continue to work with the Yoruba, Ijaw and other nationalities which have a common aim of achieving self-determination and autonomy within one truly Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is recommended that Congress mandate a Committee to investigate the impeachment of Dr Chuba Okadigbo, and determine whether his removal from the office of Senate President has any strategic connection with the race for the 2003 Presidential Elections and the fact of his political stature as a formidable potential Presidential Candidate in 2003. In addition, it is recommended that Congress consider mandating the Committee to consult widely with Igbos such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku and other Igbo sons of like capacity and stature to consider coming forward as Presidential Candidates for the Federal 2003 Presidential Elections. We consider it a matter of strategy to find such Igbo candidates now and begin to campaign much earlier, to compensate for the likely negative impact of potential incumbency factors.

It is recommended that the Enugu International Airport Campaign be fully supported and taken up and over by Igbo leaders.

It is recommended that Igbos proceed with the Igbo Day Celebrations to honour Igbo war dead as scheduled.

It is recommended that the project to rehabilitate the war wounded at Oji River and elsewhere in the former East be supported and fast-tracked.

Long live Igbo self-determination and Autonomy within a truly federal Nigeria.

Long live a truly Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Long Live self-determination and Autonomy of Nigerian Nationalities.

Francis Nnamdi Elekwachi







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