A group known as ‘The South South Study Group (3SG) ‘on Sunday called for a national referendum on the resolution of Southern governors on restructuring and ban of open grazing within the region.
The 3SG, a network of some of the South-South’s leading professionals in the public and private sector, made this call in a statement signed by Mr Otoks Princewill in Abuja.
Princewil said the Southern governors should immediately embark on collective action to make restructuring a reality.
Commending the resolutions of the southern governors in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Asaba, Delta State, he said they represented the interest of people of the region.
“The Communiqué of the Southern Governors explicitly explains what restructuring entails, review of resource control, revenue allocation formula, strict adherence to federal character principles in appointments and the shared interests of the federating states.
“It is pertinent to acknowledge that our festering national ills have been dramatically amplified by approach of gross insensitivity to the diversity and the multicultural nature of Nigeria,” he said.
Princewill said that the complete neglect of the most primary characteristic of federalism had worsened the already festering national malaise.
He added that solutions to Nigeria national problems arising from diversity and multiculturalism were clearly stated only with slight differences and variations in the national conferences of 1995, 2005, and 2014.
“Interestingly, the ruling party in its review of the National Question reaffirmed these same solutions based on the imperative of restructuring.
“What has been lacking is the will to go beyond mere words.
“The 3SG calls for an immediate implementation by Southern Governors of principles of restructuring within its collective will as it did with the ban of open grazing.
“We call for a national referendum preceding any elections to settle these fundamental national issues that will inform the drafting of a new Federal Constitution.
“All well meaning Nigerians can then put hands together to build a new Nigeria of our collective dreams,” he said
Princewill urged the southern governors to ensure that their resolution did not stop at mere words towards lifting the lot of their people from the present situation.
He said the timely intervention by the southern governors presented a watershed moment for the will of the people.
“It is for this reason that the commendable display of astutely effective diplomatic effort by the southern governors across party lines belies the urgency and need for relief as demanded by Southerners of all affiliation.
“On this note, the southern governors must realise that now more than ever, regardless of party affiliation, the citizens of southern Nigeria look up to this collective body of southern governors to protect them from rampaging marauders and bandits.
“The people of the region expect them to push forward their collective interests and hold many more positive Conferences also involving other Southern stakeholders in the immediate future for the sake of the rapidly deteriorating national state of affairs”.he said
Princewill added that Nigerians at home and abroad are earnestly waiting for the materialisation of their resolution which would chart a new course for the country.
