•Says elections can’t solve Nigeria’s problems
•Proposes conference to create new constitution with rights to self-determination
By Chukwuemeka Chimerue, Chief Editor | The Biafra Times
October 14, 2018
ENUGU - A prominent Igbo think tank, Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, has cautioned against what it described as series of impunity that has the backing of the Federal Government, saying that the insurmountable challenges confronting the country was a pointer it is heading for disintegration.
The Igbo group made this stance known in a communiqué issued at the end of their council meeting held in Enugu last Tuesday where issues bordering on the state of the nation, the 2019 general elections, the current Igbo national struggle for self-determination, the youth unemployment, and youth empowerment, the continuing and ever-widening military occupation of Igboland and the urgent need for Igbo Homeland Security, among other issues, took the center stage.
ADF, in the meeting chaired by its President, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala, Vice President, Prof. Elo Amucheazi, Secretary, Prof. Nath Aniekwu, Vice President Chairman Development Committee, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa and other Igbo intelligentsia, noted with dismay, the illegal plundering of Nigeria’s nascent democracy through the predetermined outcome in Ekiti and Osun states elections.
It stated that coupled with the tacit support of the security forces in the Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen killings of innocent citizens in the country and the heavily compromised position of the APC-led government in conducting elections, it has become obvious that the ‘fake 1999 Constitution imposed on the people through military fiat’ cannot address critical issues in the country which was why it proposed for ‘a properly constituted political Conference of all ethnic nationalities for a new Federal Union Constitution that recognizes the rights to self-determination of the constituent nations.’
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According to ADF, “With regards to the state of the nation, the Council noted with grave concern the high level of mass poverty, total infrastructural decay, progressively expanding youth unemployment in Alagbo in particular and the Country in general. The unending mass genocide, maiming, rape and killing of our women, destruction of homes and properties, displacement, occupation and renaming of indigenous non-Muslim communities, especially in the North Central states of Plateau, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa and Zamfara, as well as the general insecurity caused by the nefarious and murderous activities of Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen Terrorists with tacit support of the Federal security forces are all pointers that the country is dangerously, irreversibly heading to disintegration.
“ADF’s position that the 2019 General elections is already being packaged as a fraud, as the outcome is pre-determined only waiting for public announcement. This has been vindicated by the recent shows of shame that were tagged Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections and the Party primary elections as conducted by APC and APGA.
“These developments under President Buhari and his APC Government have attracted worldwide condemnation and have erased the little growth of democracy achieved between 1999 and 2015. The ADF Council further noted the massive under-aged voters registration in the north, the unchecked influx of foreigners from the Sahel region, the frustrations eligible voters encounter during registration and collection of PVC in the South East, South-South and Christian areas in the North central regions, the ongoing killings and displacement of indigenous communities in the Middle Belt Region as well as fortification of military occupation and secret relocation of released Boko Haram fighters to the South East and South-South were the earliest signs.
“The Council noted with regret the continuing reign of impunity, open violation of the Constitution and laws of the land and utter disregard of Court decisions and Orders in the conduct of the country’s affairs. The open intimidation, emasculation, desecration and demobilization of the National Assembly and Judiciary are a clear pointer that dictatorship has overrun democracy in the polity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and that the center can no longer hold. The climax of this is exemplified by the Chairman of the ruling party, APC ‘inadvertently’ publicly barring his mind on the ideology of his party by saying that ‘those who cannot undergo the pains of rigging should not venture into politics’.
“The Council once more declares that the above predicaments facing the Federation is deeply rooted on the impunity with which the various nations that make up the federation were amalgamated in 1914; without their consent and the instrument of governance, the fake 1999 Constitution imposed on the peoples of this Country with military fiat, which begins with an open lie; “We the people”, when the people never formulated and endorsed it.
“ADF sees no solution to the endemic crises rocking the Federation through the forthcoming 2019 Election. Therefore, the Council of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) calls for a properly constituted political Conference of all ethnic nationalities for a new Federal Union Constitution that recognizes the rights to self-determination of the constituent nations.
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“ADF, therefore, calls upon Ohaneze Ndigbo, Afenifere, PANDEF, and Middle Belt Forum and all other socio-cultural organizations of the indigenous peoples of this country who are truly fighting for the emancipation of their people to urgently move beyond rhetoric and come up with clear, time-bound action plan for achieving the much talked about restructuring in the next few months left before the so-called elections. ADF is ever ready to co-operate with such bodies for the common goal of the oppressed peoples of this nation.
“The ADF and most other major pan-Igbo organizations have already declared that nothing short of recognizing Alaigbo as AN AUTONOMOUS REGION in a New Federal Union can guarantee the continued participation of Alaigbo in any political union with her neighbors in the present Nigerian Federation.
“The Council commends Ndigbo in the United States for acknowledging their responsibility to actively participate in the urgent task of Igbo, Self-determination and self-reliance. The Council therefore calls on all Umuigbo across the world to join this struggle by making contributions in material, intellectual, diplomatic and moral support to ensure the survival of the nation presently trapped in an unworkable Nigerian Federation.
Similarly all pan-Igbo and Biafran self-determination groups are urged to imbibe the spirit of unity of purpose with one another while applying diverse positive methodologies in their operations, as this is one of the cardinal Igbo philosophy that ensures her victory.
“All Ndigbo in Diaspora are enjoined to embrace the ADF message of Aku–Ruo-Ulo as well as Igbo national integration which are pivotal for the rapid restoration of the economy of Alaigbo as it is only Ndigbo that can develop our Alaigbo.
“As one of the ways to reduce massive unemployment of our teaming youth, the various state Governments in Alaigbo, Ohaneze, various Pan-Igbo Organizations and Ndigbo in the Igbo Diaspora are requested to come together with ADF to activate farming programs that saw to the survival of Biafrans during the Genocidal War of 1967-1970; the Land Army Farm Program. Similarly, the great Agricultural programs initiated by Dr Michael Okpara need to be activated urgently. The large palm plantations, cocoa, cashew, rubber and other plantations of the Okpara era need to be urgently reactivated. This will help also in addressing the urgent physical and food security needs of Alaigbo.
“ADF, however, noted that this program cannot succeed with the ravenous impunity of herdsmen who have invaded our communities, grazing on our crops, maiming, kidnapping for ransom and killing of villagers in their farmlands. Thus, ADF urges all the State Governments in Alaigbo to pass, if they truly care for the people, the Anti-Open Grazing Bill which ADF had tabled before all the Houses of Assembly several months ago. This bill will ensure that both the Cattle herdsmen operate in an atmosphere of peace and within law for the prosperity of Alaigbo. In this regard ADF congratulates the Abia House of Assembly for passing the Bill and call Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to sign the bill without futher waste of time.
“Finally, all Ndigbo and the various Governments in Alaigbo are enjoined to close ranks and tackle the Homeland security needs of our people.”Nigeria dangerously, irreversibly heading to disintegration – ADF cautions
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