COMMUNIQUE OF THE CONFERENCE OF SOUTHERN LEADERS
12.21.2005
Consequent upon the compelling needs to firmly state our position, and especially attendant upon the attempts at sweeping over the basic interests of the southern states of Nigeria, we exercised the highest of caution and responsibility as we confronted the political and economic future of Nigeria. Having, therefore, deliberated elaborately on such fundamental national issues brought as tabled, and having consulted widely on ways and means of attaining all-inclusive solutions, we the governors, national and states' legislators, leaders of major political parties, ministers, traditional rulers and leaders of socio-political organizations, have formed precise impressions on the issues tabled and therefore resolve as follows:
1. That we are shocked, and therefore condemn, in its entirety, the clear attempts at polarizing Nigeria into North and South, which we understand are indications of stiff arrogance carelessly exhibited and indeed directed at elements, groups and institutions in southern states of Nigeria in the last few weeks;
2. That we are batl1ed by this unbecomillg stance and insistence of some political leaders from the Northern states of Nigeria that national political leadership, and indeed power, should be taken back to the North just after a mere eight years of a southern Nigerian holding the power in over 45 years, an attitude we understand to represent a certain Northern position to keep the Southerners in perpetual political servitude;
3. That while the South, particularly the South-south, produces over 85 per cent of the national resources, it is surprising that the North objects to the humble and modest demand of a mere compensatory share;
4. That in effect, it is clearly known to all Nigerians, and indeed any interested party or observer, that the North held the presidency for 35 of the 45 years of independence' of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and cannot be justifiably asking for a return of the same power. After a mere eight years (by 2007) it has been held by a Southerner;
5. That against these backdrops, we the Conference of Governors, Legislators, Ministers, Traditional Rulers, Leaders of socio-political organisations and bodies, plainly demand from Nigcrians - North and South alike - thc folIowing:
i. that the constitutional review exercise embarked on should continuc and should indecd continue to advance, conclusively, to, seck to reflect physical, as well as fiscal, fcderalism and furthcr, the Confcrencc warns that thc National Assembly and State Iiouses of Assembly mustnot be intimidatcd, threatened, cajoled and/or blackmailed in the performance of their legitimate and constitutionul dutics and responsibilities of law making including constitutional amendmcnt, in so far as these reforms advocated shall be on the basis of peaceful consultation and dialogue between South and the North or the South and other zones in the North;
ii. that restated historically and anchored on unimpeachable facts, the presidcncy and ultimate exceutive Ieadcrship of Nigcria, had been held as follows:
a. North East: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, 1960- 1966 (five and half years);
b. South East: Gcn. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi lronsi, January 1966 - July 1966 (six months);
c. North Ccntral: (Gen. Yakubu Gowon, July 1966-1975 (nine ycars) d. North West: (Gen. Murtala Muhammed, July 1975 - Fcbruary 1976 (six months);
e. South Wcst: (Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Feb. 1976 - Octobcr 1979 (three years, cight months);
f. North Wcst: AIhaji Shehu Shagari, 1979 -- 1983 (four ycars, thrcc months);
g. North Wcst: (Gen. Muhmmadu Buhari, 1983- 1985 (20 months); h. North Ccntral: Gcn. Ibrahim Baballgida, 1985 -1993 (cight ycars); i. South West: Chicf Erncst Shonekan, August 1993 - Novcmbcr 1993 (83 days);
j. North Wcst: (Gen. Abacha, 1993 - 1995 (five years);
k. North Ccntral: (Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, 1998 - 1999 (onc ycar); and
1. South West: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, May 1999 - 2007 (cight years whcn completed in 2007);
Summary of which is also as follows:
a. North-Ccntral: 18 ycars
b. North-Wcst: 11 years
c. North-East.: 6ycars
(Total of 35 years)
d. South- west: 9 years South-east : (6 months)
e: South-south Nil
(Total of 9 years and 6 months) That consequcnt Upon the political realities of this conscionable historical data, we restate and firmly rcsolve that cognizance must bc given and indced, thc prcsidency - post-2007, zoncd to, cithcr South-south (the nation' s nest of fortune), which ncvcr tastcd the plum job or the South east, which mcrely sniffed it for six months; iv, that Confercncc dcmands that the process of Constitutionul Amcndmcnt/Reform must commcncc immediately and bc concludcd and effected prior to the 2007 elections, failing which the South shall boycott the 2007 elections and considcr thc rcconstitution of the country as a Confederationon the basis of the six gco-political zoncs, with elicit zone retaining its resources and contributing to the ccntcr on the basis of an agrecd principle, failure of which the South shall stop forthwith resources derived from its geopolitical zone;
v, that an immediate rcview of thc revenue allocation which should emphasize derivation be immediately undertaken, inclusive of all revcnuc from ptroleum, solid minerals,V A T, seaport and airport usage, and that in furthcrance, wc rcstate thc principle of inalienable right or states/zoncs to control thcir own resources, conscqucnt upon which wc demand and insist on 25 pcr cent, graduating, in five years to 50 pcr ccnt dcrivation, to rightfully accrue to states/zones;
Vi that as containcd in the United Ntttion's criteria for censuses, religious/ethnic data must be a purt of any credible demography, upon which we we must insist that our planned national headcount must reflect data on religion; ethnicity and other facts which are relevant in national economic planning and development;
vii. that having been evidenced in the history of exercises in states' creation, as totally negating equity and popular participation, since the creation of Mid-west in 1963, we, therefore firmly demand and insist on the demand of the creation of a state from the South-east gcopolitical zone;
viii. that the Southern states strongly commend and support not only the reform effortss of Prcsildent Olusegun Obasanjo, but also acknowledge the laudable and rewarding crusade against corruption, the historic achievement of dcbt relief and the unceasing and practical efforts at keeping Nigeria united and indivisible, such as in near sacrifice of his life to bring democratic rule in Nigeria;
ix. that the Conferennce commcnds Prcsident Oluscgun Obasanjo as a truly detribalized and visionary Nigcrian Leadcer, who has initiated reforms and policies to reposition Nigeria within the comity of nations with a view to taking thc nation to the promised land;
x. that failure to recognize and respond positively to the above positions and stand of the South, will Ieave the southern states of Nigeria with no option than to seek a confederal arrangement for the geo-political zones, therein, to address this imbalance;
and finally, that the conference stands firmly for a united, peaceful, democratic and equitable Nigerian nation with mutual respect amongst its constituent members;
That this conference, which is to be known as the Southern Forum, has set up a 36-man working committtee and secretariat for the communications, furtherance of the principles, execution of elements of these resolutions and interactions/negotiations/discussions, with necessary persons, groups, organizations and institutions and of course, needy and willing geo-political zones as desirous and qualified to be considerd, in the continuos reviews of the foregoing;
That this committee comprises the following :
1. Ambassador M.T. Mbu - chairman
2. Igwe Prof. Sam Ukpabi - vice chairman
3. Dr. Dejo Raimi - secretary general
4. Dr. Peter Raimi
5. Dr. Olusegun Agagu
6. Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani
7. Senator Ugochukwu Uba
8. Senator C.K. Awoyelu
9. Hon. Patience Ogodo
10. Senator Basey Ewa-Henshaw
11. Hon. (Dr.) Cairo Ojuogboh
12. Hon Ette
13. Chief Rasheed Williams
15. Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa
16. Oba Adetunji Ajayi
17. Chief Jimoh Ibrahim
18. Mrs. Titi Oseni
19 .Mr. Tunde Oladunye
20. Hon. Fatai Buari
21. Chief Raymond Dokpesi
22. High Chief Raymond Dokpesi
23. Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu
24. Prof. Joe Irukwu
25.Senator Bob Effiong
26.Chief Blessom Effiong
27. Rt. Hon. Austin Opara
28. Chief Samuel Ogbemudia
29. Chief Olisah Mensah
30. Chief Hope Uzodinma
32. Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly
33. Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly
34. Mrs. Herberta Okonofua
35. Chief Alfredo Awa
36. Dr. Charles Amanze
37. Secretariat to be provided byh Enugu State, South East Zone.
That the terms of reference of this committee shall be, but not limited to :
i. Studying und expanding on the principles of the rcsolutions of this conference;
ii. Organising studies, body of knowledge und principles in founding equity for a multi-ethnic nation as Nigeria ;
iii. identifying other agitating points of the Southern states of Nigeria and building such into the overall objectives of this of this conference;
iv.mobilizing, co-ordinating and analysing zonal, group and institutional interests for purposes of attaining the overall objectives of this conference; v. Fostering broad support and alliance along southern states of Nigeria;
vi. Organising seminars, workshops, rallies and symposia to sensitise Nigerians on the need to insist on equity and popular participation as the consistent propellants of democracy;
VII. Initiating, opcning and consolidating discussions with other institutions, groups and states, especially those from the geo-political zones of Northern Nigcria, so desirous of appreciating the or these resolutions and overall objectives of the Conference, viii. Maintaining efficient media relationship to disseminate in ful1 such information that will assist the Conference in keeping the right kind of public opinion on the objectives of the Conference.
ix. Recruiting and maintaining such caliber of staff who shall contribute to realize the objectives or this Conference;
x. Designing the methods for running a well-directed national secretariat.
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