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The Imperative of Restructuring Nigeria

1. Constitution by Fiat

The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is often considered a “fraud” for several reasons:

1. Misleading Preamble: The preamble begins with the phrase, “We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…” However, there was never a constituent assembly that truly represented the diverse interests of the Nigerian peoples.
2. Lack of Popular Participation: The military usurped the power of the people by drafting a constitution, without broad-based consultations with the Nigerian populace.
3. Absence of a Referendum: The constitution was promulgated by military decree without a national referendum to assess or approve its content.
4. Deviation from Founding Principles: The founding fathers agreed to a federal system of government that would require the consent of the people to create a unified country by will. The current system is a departure from this principle.
5. Centralization of Power: Although Nigeria is called the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the constitution centralizes power in the federal government at the expense of states and local governments, effectively turning the country into a unitary system.

2. Commitment to Restructuring

The Rebirth Group (TRG) and the thousands who have joined us affirm our commitment to restructure the country to achieve:

1. Symmetric federalism
2. Autonomous regions
3. Fiscal autonomy
4. Inclusivity
5. Collegiality

3. Urgent Solutions to National Questions

We demand urgent solutions to national questions that challenge our ability to achieve true sovereignty and equitable development:

1. Restoration of Regional Sovereignty: We seek the restoration of the sovereignty and autonomy that Nigeria’s regions enjoyed before the 1966 military coup.
2. Equity and Equality: We advocate for equity and equality of all indigenous ethnic nationalities.
3. End to Cyclic Colonialism: We demand an end to cyclic colonialism, where patterns of domination and exploitation recur over time. This includes periods of settler colonialism, external domination, and neocolonialism, followed by internal colonialism and elite capture that replicates colonial dynamics.
4. Correction of Artificial Boundaries: We call for a correction of the artificial boundaries created at the Berlin Conferences of 1884-1885 and during autocratic military regimes, where territories were divided into countries and states without regard for existing ethnic, cultural, and political boundaries. These arbitrary divisions have created hazy identities, contributing significantly to insecurity, and economic, socio-political, and nationality challenges.
5. A Call for a New Constitution

A great Nigeria is possible, but we must first digest the appropriate terms of association. The present constitution is a road to nowhere. We MUST start the process of drafting a new constitution for a new nation.