Restructuring: CONFAB 2014 Report Endorses 18 New States. See List

Contrary to the expectation of many Nigerians that the 2014 National Conference proposed a return to the regional governments, Saturday

Telegraph has learnt that the 494- man body did not recommended such neither did it endorse the abolition of the present system of states as federating units. Rather, the ‘wise men and women’ in a shocking revelation, recommended the creation of additional 18 states, a move that will no doubt shock many advocates of federalism and restructuring, who are expecting the senate to conduct a thorough debate on the report when it resumes plenary on Tuesday.

The Senate, before embarking on Sallah break, had called on the Presidency to submit the 2014 confab report to it, for deliberations, as the calls for restructuring continue to mount. Notable Nigerians including former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had called for the restructuring of the polity.

Although, many Nigerians believe that the states created by successive military regimes were already too many and

Most of them economically unviable, the conference ironically adopted states as the federating units and recommended the creation of more states to satisfy the geographical equation question.

A perusal of the confab report shows that the document in Section 5.12 dealt with Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, where it was stated that delegates to the conference unanimously resolved that Nigeria shall retain a federal system of government whose core elements shall be a central government with states as the federating units; and that states that wish to merge may do so in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The report further recommended that any group of states might create a self-funding Zonal Commission to promote economic development, good governance, equity, peace and security in accordance with the constitution. The report reads: “At independence in 1960, Nigeria had three regions and by 1964 had added a fourth region. All four were autonomous but subordinated only to the Federal Constitution.

Then came the military in 1966 when aspects of the Federal Constitution were suspended leading to the creation of 12 states, (six in the north and six in the south) in answer to political exigencies including the protection of minority rights. “More states were created to satisfy the yearnings of various ethnic nationalities which fear domination by some others. Nigeria now has 36 States plus the Federal Capital Territory. In spite of this subsisting arrangement, there continues to be demands for the creation of more states.

“After extensive consideration of Regionalism/ Zones, Conference decided as follows:
(I) The states shall be the federating units; and
(ii) any group of states may create a self-funding Zonal Commission to promote economic development, good governance, equity, peace and security in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

(a) A two-thirds majority of all members in each of the Houses of Assembly of each of the states, in which such merger is proposed, support by resolution, the merger;
(b) A Referendum is conducted in each of the states proposing to merge with 75 per cent of the eligible voters in each of those states approving the merger;
(c) The National Assembly, by resolution passed by a simple majority of membership, approves of the merger; and
(d) States that decide to merge shall also reserve the right to demerge following the same procedure and processes for merger,” the report read in part.

The report observed that since the subject of state creation has remained a huge political issue in Nigeria, the delegates examined the reports of the 2005 National Political Reform Conference and that of the Presidential Committee on Review of Outstanding Issues from recent Constitutional Conferences, such the 2012 Belgore Report, and made its recommendations in the interest of equity, justice and fairness. “In the spirit of reconciliation, equity, fair play and justice, there shall be created an additional state for the South East zone; and that all other requests for state creation should be considered on merit. The conference approved the criteria for the creation of new states as follows:

“Any new state sought to be created must be viable. In considering viability, the following should be taken into consideration:
(a) Any new state should be economically viable;

(b) It should have human, natural and material resource;

(c) It should have a minimum land mass/water mass; and

(d) The viability of the existing state(s) should be taken into consideration as well, so as not to create a situation where new state(s) would leave the existing state(s) unviable,” the report said. According to the report, state creation should be on the basis of parity between the geo-political zones to ensure equality of zones; additional states should be created in each of the six geo- political zones to bring the number of states in each zone to nine (9), thus bringing the total number of states to 54.

According to the report, the additional 18 new states recommended for creation are:
Apa State from the present Benue State;
Edu State from Niger State;
Kainji State from the present Kebbi State;
Katagun State from the present Bauchi State;
Savannah State from the present Borno State;
Amana State from the present Adamawa State.

Others are Gurara State from the present Kaduna State;
Ghari State from the present Kano State;
Etiti State from the present South East Zone;
Aba State from the present Abia State;
Adada State from the present Enugu State

.

 Njaba-Anim State from the present Anambra and Imo States.

Anioma State from the present Delta State;
Ogoja State from the present Cross River State;
Ijebu State from the present Ogun State; and
New Oyo State from the present Oyo State. The report further stated that the third state to be created in the South South would be named later, along with its capital; just as the third state to be created in the South West would be named later, along with its capital while the 1999 Constitution shall be amended to make the process of state creation less cumbersome.

Why France supported Biafra during Nigerian Civil war

- A CIA report has revealed the reason France backed Biafra during Nigerian civil war

- According to the report, France was motivated by the prospect of having access to the region's oil

- France, Gabon, Tanzania and Ivory Coast were the countries that openly backed Biafra

The reason why France supported Biafra during its breakaway struggles from Nigeria between 1967 and 1970 has emerged.

According to a report by Premium Times, despite its humanitarian appeal, France supported Biafra in efforts to have access to the region's oil.

Premium Times reported that recently-declassified war-time memos compiled by the U.S. Central Investigation Agency, CIA, disclosed these facts.

“France supported Biafra because of the oil and ERAP, but not the Ibo revolution,” said Jean Mauricheau-Beaupre, French secretary general for African and Malagasy Affairs, referring to Emergency Response Action Plan, ERAP.

According to the memo, Mr. Mauricheau-Beaupre on February 10, 1969 said French support was merely given to a “handful of Biafra bourgeoisie in return for oil”.

The French minister was also quoted to have ruled out the possibility of a guerrilla war in the region because there was no popular support in the region.

“The real Ibo mentality is much farther to the left than that of Ojukwu and even if we had won, there would have been the problem of keeping him in power in the face of leftist infiltration,” he said, referring Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

France, Gabon, Tanzania and Ivory Coast were the countries that openly backed Biafra while Nigeria federal government received help from the United Kingdom and Russia.

 France was said to have sent $30 million worth of material to Biafra, and lent then Ivory Coast’s President Houphouet-Boigny $3 million to aid Biafra operations.

According to CIA, France realised it could not support a Biafran guerrilla resistance, hence, the European country removed stocks of French-supplied arms and divide same to French bases at Douala and Abidjan.

“The rationale for this position as expressed by Mauricheau-Beaupre to individuals concerned with executing Biafran operations was as follows: ‘France supported Biafra because of the oil and ERAP, but not the Ibo revolution,” the cable said.

The CIA also reported that Ojukwu, the Biafran leader has the strong support of a people who seemed determined to win self-determination.

“The Biafran leaders have successfully—-if cynically—exploited the issue of starvation to win political sympathy abroad. They believe time is on their side and that either (a) the FMG coalition will collapse or (b) outside sympathy for their plight will bring about a solution favorable to them,” it wrote.

Going further, the CIA disclosed that the British government supported the Nigerian federal military government with “non-sophisticated arms sales”, while the Soviets became a major arms suppliers.

Meanwhile, the United States of America placed an embargo on arms sales to both sides while regarding the civil war as primarily a Nigerian and African problem.

“The FMG gives frequent assurances that the Soviet involvement is only a matter of wartime necessity and portends no political realignment of Nigeriaʼs traditional pro-Western stance. We have no evidence that the FMG has thus far granted any significant political concessions in return for Soviet arms. However, Soviet prestige and acceptance has increased,” the CIA wrote.

“Soviet intentions are unclear. They probably consider Nigeria a target of opportunity to extend their influence at Western expense and relatively little cost to themselves. Whether requested or not, they have not gone beyond the provision of military equipment, including aircraft and the training of pilots.”

“Although disappointed and perhaps somewhat embarrassed–at slow FMG military progress, they appear willing to continue their support in the belief that prolonged fighting and FMG frustrations will increase the political value of their help,” the report said of Russia.

The Organization of African Unity (OAU), all shifted support to the Nigerian Federal Military government by 1969 except four members (Ivory Coast, Gabon, Tanzania, Zambia, that recognized Biafra in 1968).

OAU regarded the civil war as an internal problem which should be solved within an African (OAU) frame-work.

The United Nations however did not play any significant role in the way except for the participation by UNICEF and other specialized agencies in the relief effort.

NAIJ.com had reported that contrary to the agitation for the Biafran Republic by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the late leader of breakaway Biafra Republic during the Nigeria’s civil war between 1967 and 1970, Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu had warned against second Biafra agitation.

In a 27 seconds video clip obtained by NAIJ.com through a Twitter user, Ojukwu had warned that the second Biafra agitation was not necessary, adding that he and his people learnt their lessons from the first one. 

Attempt To Bring Buhari Back Home Flops As UK Doctors Declares The President Can No Longer Function - Fani-Kayode Alleges

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, Saturday alleged that doctors have ruled out President Muhammadu Buhari’s return because he can no longer function.

He made the disclosure while berating the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, John Oyegun for saying Buhari is fast recovering from his illness in London. 

The Peoples Democratic Party Chieftain described Oyegun as a “liar” for giving such update on Buhari’s illness.

Buhari’s doctors say he can no longer function – Fani-Kayode alleges

Fani- Kayode, who took to his twitter handle wrote: “Attempt to bring @NGRPresident Buhari to Nigeria from London has flopped again as his doctors rule out his ability to function. O ma se o!

“We are glad to inform you that Buhari is recovering in a very robust manner”- John Odigie-Oyegun. Liar, liar pants on fire! STOP LYING!”

This is coming at a time when the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose claimed that Buhari has been on life support for 20-days.

Crisis rocks Sokoto Caliphate as Sardauna’s grandson walks out on Sultan, quits title

  

By Adnan Tudunwada

The rivalry between the Magajin Garin Sokoto, Hassan Danbaba and the zonal vice chairman of APC, Inuwa Abdulkadir, has once again set the Sokoto Caliphate on fire and led to the resignation of the former.

Mr Danbaba is a grandson to the late premier of Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello. In a letter exclusively published by DAILY NIGERIAN on December 31, 2016, Mr Danbaba had cautioned Governor Aminu Tambuwal against supporting the appointment of Mr Abdulkadir as Marafan Sokoto.

In the letter, dated August 19, 2016, Mr Danbaba said the party leader lacked the character to hold such important title previously held by his late father, Ahmadu Danbaba and later Umaru Shinkafi.

Barrister Inuwa Abdulkadir

He also said Mr. Abdulkadir’s parents were slaves, and therefore lacked the family background to hold the title.

The letter reads in part: “Your choice of Inuwa Abdulkadir is misguided, because you cannot appoint a man that has no clan, whose lineage is not yet known as Marafan Sokoto. His father Gurzula of blessed memory, was a slave bought by Gwaggo Uwar Gida at a price of two shillings at Tsohuwar Kasuwa market in Sokoto. Gurzula served Late Gwaggo Uwar Gida, late Magajin Gari Aliyu and Late Marafa Danbaba diligently.

“Traditionally, when a Prince gets married, he normally gets a slave to serve his daily needs. So, when Marafa Ahmad got married, Gwaggo Uwar Gida gave Gurzula to him as a gift to serve his daily requests.

“Your Excellency, when Magajin Gari Aliyu was appointed the Resident Officer of Kano, he took along with him Gurzula who served him diligently as a result of which Magajin Gari Aliyu made Gurzula head of his slaves. Later, Magajin Gari Aliyu was appointed Minister of State for Native Authority (N.A) in Kaduna. He took with him once again Gurzula to Kaduna where Gurzula met and married ‘Yar Gummi, a slave of Sarkin Shanu Alhaji Alhaji, who later gave birth to Inuwa. She is originally the daughter of a slave of Sarkin Mafaran Gummi.

“Your Excellency, ‘Yar Gummi’ died  as a cook at Yakubu Muazu Model Primary School despite all the blessings Allah did to her son, Inuwa. She ended up on motorcycle to her place of work daily. She once sent many messages to Sarkin Rafin Gumbi Samaila Abdulkadir and Sodangi Abdullahi, who are all alive today to testify to this, to kindly plead with her son Inuwa to improve her life.”

Mr. Danbaba then cautioned the governor to ponder on his choice of Marafan Sokoto, by considering good moral character that will reflect on the legacies of the persons that previously held the title.

But sources said the state governor, who is a close friend to Mr Abdulkadir, wanted his friend to be appointed as Marafan Sokoto, and the Sultan was said to have obliged the governor’s request, against Mr Danbaba’s stern opposition.

In March, a Sharia court in Sokoto State issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr Danbaba in a ruling on a motion filed by Mr Abdulkadir over defamation of character.

Worried by the frosty relationship and the embarrassment the trial may cause the caliphate, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, some weeks ago summoned the duo to a meeting during which he brokered a peace deal.

“Three agreements were reached at the meeting. First, all court cases must be withdrawn; second, they should unconditionally forgive each other and; third, Sultan will issue a statement announcing the peace deal,” a source familiar with the crisis said.

But the peace deal collapsed on Wednesday when Sultan allegedly summoned Mr Danbaba and urged him to sign a letter allegedly written by Mr Abdulkadir.

Mr Danbaba was said to have objected to signing the letter in view of the fact that the contents of the letter did not reflect the terms of the agreement.

“The letter was framed to show that only Magajin Gari was apologetic and remorseful, so he refused to sign. We believe the rivalry between the family of late Sardauna and that of Sultan Abubakar III is rekindling,” a source close to Mr Danbaba said.

“The Sultan became angry and lambasted Magajin Gari for being part of Paris Club loan refund deal and under EFCC investigation.

“Magajin Gari then replied Sultan that he was not found wanting in the deal by the EFCC because the business deal was legitimately done.”

Angered by the Sultan’s remark, Mr Danbaba allegedly engaged him in verbal exchange, quitted the title and walked out on him and other members of the Sultanate council.

Mr Danbaba retuned his official car and other office paraphernalia on Wednesday but the Sultan allegedly sent them back to him.

The Sultanate is yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Contacted by DAILY NIGERIAN, Sultan’s spokesman Garba Mohammed said he could not comment on the matter at the moment.

Why Nnamdi Kanu Cannot Be Re-arrested – IPOB

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra, on Friday, said its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had not flouted his bail conditions, hence, security agents have no justification to re-arrest him.

It added that Kanu had neither held any rally nor protested as instructed by the court, thus, he had not gone beyond the limit set by the court.

In response to enquiries by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said that those who had been converging in thousands on Kanu’s father’s house in Umuahia, Abia State, came to see the IPOB leader on their own volition and that he could not send his visitors away, neither would he decide not to receive them (1).

Powerful said, “Nnamdi Kanu never flouted his bail conditions because the court said he should not go for rallies or protests and he has never done that since his release But citizens of Biafra and other parts of Nigeria want to see him, that is why you see him with people and these people come to his father’s house. He cannot chase those who want to see him away. Since his release he never called for any rally or protest or press conference (2).

“Don’t you know that if he wants to call the press he will call both local and international media? The court did not bar people from visiting him in his father’s compound. The court did not say he should not visit anyone in the society (3). Therefore, the security operatives have no justification to re-arrest him because he has never gone beyond their limit or held any rally or protest.”

“We are aware that anywhere he visited, people just gather to see who he is in person and he did not put himself in the position he is today – it is by the making of the Most High in Heaven. We wonder why people who fear his electrifying popularity are calling for his arrest – we know that the Nigerian government and her security agencies always like to intimidate people.”

BREAKING: DSS Allegedly Plots To Rearrest Nnamdi Kanu July 11

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An intelligence report exclusively made available to ORIENTAL TIMES alleges that Nigeria’s secret police Department of State Services (DSS) is relentlessly planning to re-detain the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu when he appears in court on July 11th, 2017 for his trial.

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His re-arrest according to the report will come on the premise that he allegedly violated his stringent bail conditions where he was restricted from appearing in a gathering of more than 10 people, granting interviews and participating in rallies.

Recall that since Kanu’s release, he has been receiving visitors from all works of life. The most recent amongst them were the thousands of IPOB members who besieged his royal home in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, in Umuahia, Abia state demanding for Biafra republic.

The IPOB leader had also received both foreign and local media organizations.

Meanwhile, it could also be recalled that the Nigerian government in the past also flouted several court orders by the Federal High Court that initially instructed that Kanu be released immediately and unconditionally.

Umahi: Social Media will Destroy Nigeria, Denies Rejecting Restructuring

  Gov. David Umahi

                                                     
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, thursday deplored perceived unguarded use of the social media, lamenting that given its unregulated state, the platform possesses the tendency to destroy the country.

Umahi made the remark while answering question from State House correspondents over a report that he rejected the current calls for restructuring of the country particularly from the South.

The governor who denied ever opposing restructuring, said instead, he remained an advocate of restructuring, fairness and equity, insisting that if he were the president of Nigeria, he would take far reaching decision against the use of social media.
“First, l was falsely reported. What we said was that we stand for unity of our great country Nigeria. We stand for restructuring, a country where there is fairness, there is equity, there is love. If l were the president of this country, l will do something about the social media. I think it’s destroying our country.

“We have to agree to that and we are afraid of a bill being passed. I think everyone needs to account for whatever he or she writes. So, we stand for restructuring. We stand for a more united Nigeria where everyone will respect one another,” he said.

In another development, Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, described as wrong and unfounded the allegation on Wednesday by Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, that President Muhammadu Buhari who returned to the United Kingdom on May 7, for treatment on an undisclosed ailment had been on life support since June 6.

Okorocha who made the remark in Abuja after attending the meeting of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said Fayose lacked the qualification to speak on Buhari’s health.

He also said the governor’s call for Buhari’s resignation was cheap, noting that the functions of his office are well discharged by his deputy and acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

“Well, I have just said that even the speculation he is making is wrong, it is unfounded. And if anybody is to speak about the President’s health, Fayose does not have the qualifications to speak for the nation whether Mr. President should resign or stay. It is not in our culture, it is not in our tradition.

“We sympathise with those who go through pains of ill-health, at that time we don’t wish them death, we wish them well. And Mr. President’s office is properly taken care of by Mr. Acting President of Nigeria until Mr. President comes back home and continues his work and finish his term. But to say he should resign is cheap talk and does not make sense in anyway,” he said.