Southern Leaders of Th ought (SLT) has unveiled a fi ve-point agenda for restructuring Nigeria in line with the principles and tenets of true federalism.
Th e body argued that the fi ve- point agenda was key to ensuring the country’s survival against the forces of division and confl ict inherent in its heterogeneous nature.
SLT, however, rejected the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby demanding a new constitution that will derive its authority, legitimacy and validity from the people rather than by a decree of the federal military government.
Th ese highlights, among others, are contained in a 22-page document from the SLT Secretariat in Lagos released at the weekend.
Th e document, signed by Prof. Benjamin Nwabueze on behalf of other members of the group, specifi cally outlined a fi ve-point agenda that seeks restoration of true federalism, restructuring the territorial structures of Nigeria, instituting fi scal federalism, removal of factors impairing true federalism and a new constitution adopted by the people at a referendum.
Th e group comprised former Secretary-General of Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Convener of Yoruba Assembly, Gen. Alani Akinrinade; former Governor of Cross Rivers; Mr. Donald Duke; former Governor of Akwa-Ibom, Obong Victor Attah and Chairman of National Democratic Coalition, Admiral Ndubisi Kanu.
Other members include a billionaire businessman, Chief Harry Akande, a renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi; a professor of International Law, Prof. Akin Oyebode; former President of Ijaw National Congress, Prof.
Kimse Okoko; former Managing Director of Daily Times of Nigeria, Chief Tola Adeniyi and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Solomon Asemota. Th e group said the 1999 Constitution “is not a democratic constitution.
Indeed, it is a constitution only in a loose sense of the word, but not in the strict, generally accepted sense of an original act of the people by which a state and its government are constituted.
