Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, a socio-cultural umbrella of Ndigbo, has called for the adoption of a
six-year rotational single tenure for the president and governors of 36 states
in the country.
It also
demanded creation of one additional state in the South-East geo-political zone,
scrapping of local government system and resource control for states where
natural resources were exploited
These were
some highlights of the resolutions tagged, “Ekwueme Square Declaration 2018’’,
which members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo reached during their one-day summit in Awka on
Monday.
Charles
Soludo, the Chairman, Planning and Strategy Committee and Organising Committee,
read out the resolutions.
Mr Soludo
further said Ohanaeze want the federal government to adopt the report of the
2014 National Conference.
He said
the resolution already ratified by all the component arms of Ohanaeze, equally
demand that the current Constitution of Nigeria, which he stated was the
product of the military, be redrafted.
Mr Soludo
added that Ohanaeze recommended that a constituent assembly for the drafting of
a new constitution be constituted and thereafter a referendum be held, adding,
“Whatever recommendations of the group would be sent to National Assembly.”
He said
the group also demanded for the scrapping of state of origin and its
replacement with residential rights whereby a Nigerian would have full right in
any place he or she resides for 10 years.
On the six
years single tenure, the group noted that six vice presidents from each of the
six geo-political zones should be elected, while the governorship seat would be
rotated among the senatorial districts.
On his
part, John Nwodo, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the summit was
organised to enable Ndigbo articulate major challenges affecting the country.
Mr Nwodo claimed that the present
constitution of the country was skewed against Igbo people and should be
redrafted to give Igbo people fair treatment.
The Deputy
Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, challenged the Ohanaeze leadership to
convince those yet to support the restructuring of the country to back the
idea.
Mr
Ekweremadu assured that he would table any bill on the restructuring of the
country whenever the Ohanaeze present it at the National Assembly.
A former
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ike Nwachukwu, who also spoke called on the people of
Middle Belt to support the call for restructuring of Nigeria, claiming that
they stand to gain more.
Emmanuel
Iwuanyanwu, the Chairman of the summit, called on Igbo people especially the
leaders to exhibit honesty in their affairs, to help move the people forward.
Governor
Willie Obiano of Anambra in his address thanked the organisers for choosing his
state for the summit organised for the Igbo people to articulate what they want
as Nigerians.
Earlier in
a sermon, Ben Osisioma of the Anglican Communion, called on Ndigbo to rely on
God for solution to their challenges in Nigeria.
The summit
was attended by prominent Igbo leaders from Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia,
Rivers and Delta.
-NAN
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