THE STRUCTURE OF NIGERIA A PROPOSAL BY AN ASSOCIATION OF EDO NATIONALS.
Proposal for consideration as Nigeria continues to seek a common groundunder which her Nationalities can coexist peacefully. This proposal was firstpresented at the 3rd Edo Okpamakhin Conference held at Edo House inChicago, Illinois, USA on July 17-19, 1998. The proposal was again revised and unanimouslyadopted following the July 2004 Convention, held in Boston College, Cambridge,Massachusetts, USA.
INTRODUCTION:
The compulsory merging of old African nations by European powers at theBerlin Conference of 1884 has created problems not only in Nigeria, but also inthe rest of Africa. The Berlin exercise has since resulted in politicalimbalance in government and is the source of conflict amongst the peoples ofNigeria and Africa as a whole. In a true democracy, all citizens are guaranteedequal treatment; equal opportunity to attain any height, and equalparticipation at all levels. However, in a multi-ethnic society with a largenumber of nationalities, such as Nigeria, one-man-one-vote ceases to fulfillthe Western style democracy that works well in mono-ethnic European countries.Also, the military's long intervention in the politics of Nigeria has not pavedthe way for a true democratic system to take off in the country.
To successfully address the Nigerian problem, Edo Okpamakhin [ AnAssociation of Edo Nationals] propose a governmental structure that guaranteesequal treatment for all Nigerians. After several deliberations and examinationsof the causes of friction amongst the peoples of Nigeria, it is EdoOkpamakhin's position that the present Federal system cannot promote peace,harmony and stability. The ethnic rivalries amongst the peoples of Nigeria andthe perception of one-ethnic domination have all hindered progress and set thewhole country back. For a progressive and prosperous Nigeria, Edo Okpamakhinurges a governmental structure that empowers the peoples.
Edo Okpamakhin therefore, propose a UNION OF NIGERIA government system,made up of Regions. Each Region shall be autonomous within the powers ofRegions in the 1952 and 1954 Constitution, and with all privileges and rightsto secede from the Union if at least 60 percent of its electorate so agree througha referendum. Each Region within the Union of Nigeria, in cooperation with itspeople may create as many States or Counties or Semi-Autonomous Territories asit may desire and can sustain within its own territory. Likewise, each sucharea within a Region, in cooperation with its people shall be responsible forthe creation of such number of local governments as it may wish and cansustain. The creation of States and local governments shall not be a UnionGovernment subject.
Thus, a mono-nationality Region like the Yoruba or Igbo will be free todecide to have sub-ethnic Counties, or a mono-nationality Region like the Hausawill be free to decide to be divided into sub-ethnic Emirates, or amulti-nationality Region in the South-West or South-East or Middle Belt areawill be free to choose to have ethnic States and/or Semi-Autonomous Territoriesexercising powers limited to a sub-State level. Any Region may also elect tohave sub-ethnic States, which it must by itself sustain without any dependenceupon the assistance of the Union.
In creating the Regions, Edo Okpamakhin's hope, however slim, is todirect North-South, East-West political rivalries that have been exploitednegatively into constructive channels. Therefore, size, similarities,convenience, historical associations, culture, ethno linguistic identity wereall considered in recommending Eight (8) Regions [see attached old and newNigeria maps] for the Union. Edo Okpamakhin strongly believes the currentstructure of the Federation of Nigeria only further aggravates and intensifiesthe desires of its ethnic nationalities to secede, as seen from many sectors ofthe country. Nations that have empowered all their citizens have not onlyenjoyed peace and stability, but have also been able to keep theirnationalities intact.
Edo Okpamakhin is aware of suggestions from other quarters for Six (6)Regions (i.e. 3 North, 3 South), but does not believe that this formation islikely to endure for any length of time because of its inherent contradictions.To minimize the contradictions and increase Nigeria's chances of stability, EdoOkpamakhin recommends that any six-Region formula should recognize, borrow fromand endorse historic agitation, i.e. divide each of the 3 old Regions as atindependence into a majority and minority Region as follows:
NORTH: Northern (or Hausa) Region and Middle Belt Region
WEST: Western (or Yoruba) Region and Midwest (Bendel) Region
EAST: East Central (or Igbo) Region and South East Region
A Second Option would be to abandon the Regional structure and opt for aNigerian Federation consisting strictly of Nationality States able to finance,man and exercise the powers and functions, which the Regions had atindependence. Under this formula, it would not be necessary to prescribe thenumber of States but only to provide that any Nationality, which could byitself meet the above criterion, could be a State, and any Nationality, whichcould not so qualify, would be free to coalesce with a neighbor or neighbors inorder to qualify for statehood. The test of qualification would includeresources, financial, viability, and manpower, in order to coalesce,geographical contiguity. Nigeria would thus be a Federation of Nationalitiesinstead of Regions. Such provisions should be equally applicable with respectto States and Local government areas, but not in the case of Semi-AutonomousTerritories, which are intended to protect the individuality, language andculture of much smaller nationalities exercising only limited locality powers.
There is a Third Option. If the Northern oligarchy, refuses to provide orallow a democratic platform for discussion of the proposals made in thismemorandum and contemporary submissions by other patriotic groups, then EdoOkpamakhin would propose a Federation of Southern Nationalities States, withthe conditions set out for the Second Option above. In this case, there couldequally be a Federation of Middle Belt Nationalities States and a Federation ofNorthern Nationalities States. A Confederation of the three Federations couldeasily be a workable arrangement.
It is proposed that most functions of the former Federal government shallbe handled at the Regional, State, County, Semi-Autonomous Territory and Locallevels. The Regional representatives elected shall SELECT the President of theUnion to represent their Regions. The President of the Union shall hold officefor one (1) year only as under the Constitution of Switzerland and the officeof the President shall rotate among the Regional representatives. The Regional,State, County, Local government and Semi-Autonomous leaders shall all beELECTED under a parliamentary system and therefore answerable to theirconstituents.
To address the biggest source of disagreement and cause of friction amongthe peoples of Nigeria, EQUITABLE distribution of public revenue must beaddressed. Edo Okpamakhin prefers a bottom up, as opposed to a top down,approach currently being practiced. This means that each territory or communityshould have control over its natural resources and pay taxes on the revenuederived there from in the following percentages to the followingauthorities:
Union Government 25%
Regional Government 25%
State or County Government 30%
LocalGovernment/Semi-Autonomous Territory 20%
In each case - whether Regional, State, County, Local government orSemi-Autonomous Territory - a Constitutional Conference of representatives ofthe people of the area concerned should formulate and decide democratically theconstitution of their area. For example, Edo Okpamakhin does not regard it asjustifiable if non-Edos were to decide the internal Constitution of Edoland.Edo Okpamakhin is ready to make submissions for the structure and government ofEdoland at an All-Edo Constitutional Conference.
The duties, functions and powers of the Union, Regional, State, County,Local Government and Semi-Autonomous Territories are summarized later in theseproposals.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
__MCE_ITEM__R1. Communities should control their resources and paytaxes to the various governments;
__MCE_ITEM__R2. Adopt a four tier autonomous governments - Regional, State, and local or semi-autonomous region - similar to the United States of America structure, where activities of the states and local governments are not the concerns of the Federal Government;
__MCE_ITEM__R3. Dismantle the current electoral system that ties all local and State Government directly to the Federal Government; Let the local, State, and Regional governments manage their electoral system;
__MCE_ITEM__R4. Adopt the Africanco-federal unit democratic system and not the Western style individualdemocracy of one-man-one-vote handed down by the colonialists.
__MCE_ITEM__R5. Elected leadersmust hold mandatory regular town hall meetings with their constituents to buildtrust between leaders and the led.
__MCE_ITEM__R6. Limit the size andnumber of Union ministries and allocate supervision of group ministries instrict accordance with the order of succession within a collegiate presidency.
__MCE_ITEM__R7. All governmentCommissioners must hold regular town meetings with their ministries staffs;i.e. from messenger to the highest post of the Permanent Secretary.
__MCE_ITEM__R8. Elected leaders orappointed Commissioners must choose their own advisory committee (number to be determined), who consult with them toformulate proposals (comparable to theUnited States of America House of Representatives and their Special Advisors).
__MCE_ITEM__R9. Establish a cheapermeans of conducting elections to reduce corruption of elected leaders.
__MCE_ITEM__R10. Establish pensionor retirement benefits for elected representatives at all levels of government.
__MCE_ITEM__R11. Reorganize thearmed forces to reflect the society and constitutional structure, with particular reference to the needfor measures to prevent coups.
__MCE_ITEM__R12. Make one-yearmilitary training compulsory for all 18 years old male and female citizens, to run concurrently withpost-secondary education or immediately thereafter.
__MCE_ITEM__R13. Each Region shouldhave a reservoir of National Guard; and the National Guard shouldbe the militia of the Region or State.
__MCE_ITEM__R14. Disband theNational Police Force as presently constituted and form Regional, State,County, Semi-Autonomous Territory and local government police forces undertheir respective territorial authorities, and a Union Bureau of Investigation (UBI) similar to the United States ofAmerica Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
__MCE_ITEM__R15. Rotate the officeof the Chief Justice of the Union yearly, and the Union Supreme Court must have an equal number of Judgesfrom each Region. The same should beapplicable to Federal Appeal Courts, if any.
__MCE_ITEM__R16. Establish free andcompulsory primary and secondary education.
__MCE_ITEM__R17. SubsidizeUniversity education and give control to the administration and staff of theUniversities.
__MCE_ITEM__R18. Stop governmentinterference with traditional leaders
__MCE_ITEM__R19. To maintaintraditional institutions, cultures and leaders, each appropriate levelgovernment shall make such provision within its budget as their people maywish.
__MCE_ITEM__R20. Establish a rewardsystem for good services at all levels of government and societyat large.
CONCLUSIONS:
__MCE_ITEM__C1. Inequity in revenue allocation has been a major source of conflict amongthe ethnic groups of Nigeria.
__MCE_ITEM__C2. Democracy as practiced by the Western world is alien to the peoples ofNigeria and had often met with failures; therefore it is not appropriate inNigerian society.
__MCE_ITEM__C3. The current system encourages political candidates to lavish large sumsof money-begged, borrowed or stolen-oncampaigns for office, with intentions to recover their spending through corruptand illegal means once elected into office.
__MCE_ITEM__C4. The lack of directprimary elections, in which the selected party leaders choose the flag bearerof their parties create enormous room for corruption and a short-change indemocracy; Often, voters have no choice but to choose the better of worstevils.
__MCE_ITEM__C5. There is a perception amongst the peoples of Nigeria and Africans ingeneral that the government belongs tono particular person, and therefore it is not wrong to embezzle government money, and in fact it is praiseworthy to do soif some of the proceeds are seento be expended locally.
__MCE_ITEM__C6. Strong ethnicloyalty and sentiments have contributed a great deal in shielding corruptleaders, who hide under their canopy to commit atrocities against the peoplesof Nigeria; i.e. "with my people behind me, I can do no wrong."
__MCE_ITEM__C7. The lack of pensions or retirement benefits for elected leaders orCommissioners encourages them tosteal as much as they could while in office, because once out of office, goingback to their humble origins in a society such as ours is mocked at. By contrast,Western democracies absorb past holders of senior public office into lucrativepositions in private enterprise or other public office.
__MCE_ITEM__C8. Simple one-man-one vote system is not to be recommended for overalldecisions in Nigerian society, because it places the ethnic minorities at agreat disadvantage; there must be equityamong the nationalities.
__MCE_ITEM__C9. The lack of a common language has encouraged discriminations amongst the ethnic groups of Nigeria. Masscommunication depends on the solution to this problem.
__MCE_ITEM__C10. The strongreligious affiliation of the Northern ethnic groups has alienated theSoutherners; often many Northern leaders see the Moslem religion as a cultunder whose shield they can hold on to power at the expense of the rest of thecountry.
DISCUSSIONS:
It has been 45 year since the creation of an independent Nigeria, and ithas been 45 years of crisis, instability and economic retardation. Mistrustamong the ethnic groups, political rivalries, and strong ethnic loyalty asopposed to a common identity have all remain a vexing dilemma and havecontributed immensely to the social and economic malaise plaguing Nigeria.Nigeria is comparable to a house built on a very weak foundation ready tocollapse, unless substantial restructure is carried out.
A structure that demands a compromise such as Western style democracy ofone-man-one-vote to the exclusion of ethnic equity will not work successfullyin a multi-ethnic society such as Nigeria. This means the minorities will always play second fiddle and excludedfrom the helms of things. Therefore, Nigeria must seek a system that willenable her keep up with the advancing nations of the world. Nigeria is a richcountry with enough natural and human resources to champion the cause of Africaand the black race in general. The unexplored natural resources are enormous.Adopting an African style confederation would prevent conflicts and buildfriendship and harmony between the ethnic groups. The system being proposed byEdo Okpamakhin is UNION OF NIGERIA and its Regions, States, Semi-Autonomous Territories and LocalGovernments that will guarantee internal autonomy and give the peoples ofNigeria the sense that they belong to one Nation. The current federal systemwith the brawling among the ethnic groups over control of the centralgovernment often leads to conflicts such as the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. If wecontinue on our current path, the prediction is more conflicts and unrest forNigeria. Therefore, Edo Okpamakhin's proposal has the merit that it does notcall for dissolution of Nigeria or continuance of the status quo. The successof Nigeria will set a model for the rest of Africa and put an end to unrest.The ultimate goal which the system will achieve in the long run is the fulfillmentof Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's speech on the Independence platform in 1957:"United States of Africa".
FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS UNION GOVERNMENT
The functions of the Union Government shall consist of the following,provided tat the government is structured equitably and as already suggested:
__MCE_ITEM__U1. Accounts and auditof the accounts of the government of the Union and of offices, courts and authorities thereof.
__MCE_ITEM__U2. Arms, ammunitionand explosives.
__MCE_ITEM__U3. Awards of Uniontitles of honor, decorations and other dignities.
__MCE_ITEM__U4. Bankruptcy andinsolvency, banking, bills of exchange and promissory notes.
__MCE_ITEM__U5. Union Central Bankand regulation of banks.
__MCE_ITEM__U6. Borrowing of Moneywithin or outside Nigeria for the purpose of the union.
__MCE_ITEM__U7. Census of theUnion.
__MCE_ITEM__U8. Construction,alteration and maintenance of Union Highways, consisting of international arterial routes andInter-Regional motorways.
__MCE_ITEM__U9. Citizenship,naturalization and aliens.
__MCE_ITEM__U10. Company law andallied matters.
__MCE_ITEM__U11. Copyright, patentsand intellectual property right.
__MCE_ITEM__U12. Currency, coinageand legal tender.
__MCE_ITEM__U13. Import and exportduties, subject to agreement among the Regions on Revenue Allocation Formula.
__MCE_ITEM__U14. Defense of theUnion, subject to agreement among the Regions on defense policy.
__MCE_ITEM__U15. Deportation ofpersons who are not citizens of Nigeria.
__MCE_ITEM__U16. Consular matters,subject to provisions relating to Agents General of Regions.
__MCE_ITEM__U17. Drugs and poisons.
__MCE_ITEM__U18. Elections to Unionoffices.
__MCE_ITEM__U19. Evidence.
__MCE_ITEM__U20. External affairs,diplomatic relations, extradition, exchange control, immigration into and emigration from Nigeria,subject to provisions relating to Agents-General of Regions.
__MCE_ITEM__U21. Fingerprints,identification and criminal records.
__MCE_ITEM__U22. Fishing andfisheries in Inter-Regional Rivers, lakes, waterways, ponds and inland waters.
__MCE_ITEM__U23. Implementation oftreaties relating to matters on this list.
__MCE_ITEM__U24. Regulation ofinsurance institutions.
__MCE_ITEM__U25. Labor relating toemployees of Union institutions and agencies.
__MCE_ITEM__U26.
__MCE_ITEM__(a) Generating,transmission, distribution of electricity in the Union, other than electricitygenerated by or under the authority of a Region or State or Local GovernmentCouncil, and establishment of a Union-wide grid system.
__MCE_ITEM__(b) (b) Participation of the Union in any arrangementwith any country for the generation, transmission or distribution ofelectricity for any area partly withinand partly outside the Union.
__MCE_ITEM__(c) (c) Regulation relating to the damming up of, orinterference with, the flow of waterin Inter-Regional waterways.
__MCE_ITEM__U27. Establishment ofUnion industries and Union agricultural, forestry and fisheries researchcenters.
__MCE_ITEM__U28. Maritime shippingand navigation in tidal waters, international waterways and Inter-Regionalwaterways, lighthouses, lightships, beacons and other provisions for the safetyof shipping and navigation on such waters.
__MCE_ITEM__U29. Union Ports,including the constitution and powers of ports authorities for such Ports.
__MCE_ITEM__U30. Meteorology, exceptmeteorology of a Region.
__MCE_ITEM__U31. Offshore mines andminerals, subject to agreement among the Regions on Revenue Allocation Formula.
__MCE_ITEM__U32. Naval, Military andair Forces of the Union, subject to agreement among the Regions on recruitment,composition and control.
__MCE_ITEM__U33. Nuclear energy.
__MCE_ITEM__U34. Passports and Visas(the Union must issue Passports and Visas at the request of RegionalGovernments and their Agents-General)
__MCE_ITEM__U35. Patents,trademarks, trade or business names, industrial designs and merchandise marks.
__MCE_ITEM__U36. Pensions,gratuities and other like benefits payable out of the Union consolidatedRevenue Fund or any other publicfunds of the Union.
__MCE_ITEM__U37. Security servicesand Union Investigative Bureau for Inter-Regional crimes, subject to agreementamong the Regions on recruitment, composition and control.
__MCE_ITEM__U38. Union Poststelegraphs and Telephones.
__MCE_ITEM__U39. Union Prisons andUnion regulations for non-union prisons.
__MCE_ITEM__U40. Professionaloccupation and qualifications.
__MCE_ITEM__U41. Public debt of theUnion.
__MCE_ITEM__U42. Public holidays ofthe Union.
__MCE_ITEM__U43. Public service ofthe Union.
__MCE_ITEM__U44. Union Railways.
__MCE_ITEM__U45. Supreme Court ofthe Union, subject to agreement on composition among the Regions.
__MCE_ITEM__U46. Service andexecution in a Federation of the civil and criminal processes, evidence,procedure and other court processes of any court of law outside the Union or any court of law within the Unionother than a court of law establish by the legislature of a Region or State.
__MCE_ITEM__U47. Union museums andlibraries.
__MCE_ITEM__U48. Prescription ofminimum standards of education at all levels, other than standards within a Region prescribed by the Regionwhere they are higher than such minimum.
__MCE_ITEM__U49. Regulation oftourist traffic, except the tourist traffic of a Region.
__MCE_ITEM__U50. Formation,annulment and dissolution of marriages other than marriages under customarylaw, including matrimonial causes relating thereto.
__MCE_ITEM__(a) Water from sourcesaffecting more than one Region.
__MCE_ITEM__U51. Standards, weightsand measures.
__MCE_ITEM__U52. Allocation ofwavelengths for wireless, broadcasting and television transmission and theoperation of wireless broadcasting and television other than broadcasting andtelevision provided by or under the authority of a Region or State.
__MCE_ITEM__U53. Specialist secondary and post-secondaryinstitutions.
__MCE_ITEM__U54. Resolutions of Inter-Regional disputes.
REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS
__MCE_ITEM__RG1. The powers and thefunctions of the Regional Governments will include the following:
__MCE_ITEM__RG2. Creation of newStates within the Region and resolution of inter-state boundaries.
__MCE_ITEM__RG3. Resolution ofinter-state disputes.
__MCE_ITEM__RG4. Award of Regionaltitles, honors, decorations and dignitaries.
__MCE_ITEM__RG5. Secondary andHigher Education
__MCE_ITEM__RG6. Commercial,industrial monopolies, combines and trusts.
__MCE_ITEM__RG7. Industrial,commercial, agricultural, veterinary, fisheries and forestry development of theRegion.
__MCE_ITEM__RG8. Establishment ofinternal air services of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG9. OverseasAgent-General and Trade offices of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG10. Such banks, banking, bills of exchange and promissory notes of a Regionas may be agreed with the Union.
__MCE_ITEM__RG11. Borrowing of Money inside and outside Nigeria for the purpose of aRegion.
__MCE_ITEM__RG12. Fingerprints, identification and criminal records.
__MCE_ITEM__RG13. Labor of a Region, including trade unions, industrial relations,conditions, safety and welfare of labor; industrial disputes and industrialarbitration.
__MCE_ITEM__RG14. Census of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG15. Postal, telephone and telegraphic services of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG16. Excise Duties.
__MCE_ITEM__RG17. Prisons, subject to Union regulations.
__MCE_ITEM__RG18. Public holidays of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG19. Regional railways.
__MCE_ITEM__RG20. Regional airstrips.
__MCE_ITEM__RG21. Museums and libraries of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG22. Wireless broadcasting and television by/or under the authority of theRegion.
__MCE_ITEM__RG23. Regional electricity, including the establishment of Regional powerstations and the generation, transmission and distribution of electricitywithin the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG24. Trigonometrically, cadastral and topographical surveys, of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG25. Regional Motorways.
__MCE_ITEM__RG26. On-shore and offshore (within the acceptable International Boundary)mines and minerals, subject to agreement among the Regions on RevenueAllocation Formula.
__MCE_ITEM__RG27. Elections into Regional Offices.
__MCE_ITEM__RG28. Fishing and Fisheries in rivers, lakes, waterways, ponds and other inlandwaters lying entirely within a Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG29. Public debt of the Region.
__MCE_ITEM__RG30. Public service of the Region, including settlement of disputes betweenRegion and officers of such service.
__MCE_ITEM__RG31. Courts of law established by the legislature of a Region, up to andincluding Regional Appellate Court.
__MCE_ITEM__RG32. Accounts, audit of the accounts of the government of the Regionaloffices, courts and authorities thereof.
__MCE_ITEM__RG33. Regional Police.
STATES AND/OR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS
Residual functions and powers shall lie within the States, and/orsub-ethnic Counties, and these shall include:
__MCE_ITEM__S1. Local Governmentmatters, including reorganization and creation of local government areas andresolution of inter-local government boundaries.
__MCE_ITEM__S2. Award of Statetitles, honors, decorations and dignitaries.
__MCE_ITEM__S3. Primary andSecondary education.
__MCE_ITEM__S4. Social, industrialand agricultural development of the State.
__MCE_ITEM__S5. Monarchies,chieftaincies, cultural and traditional matters.
__MCE_ITEM__S6. Census of the Stateor of the local government area.
__MCE_ITEM__S7. Development of theState communications services.
__MCE_ITEM__S8. Public holidays ofthe State.
__MCE_ITEM__S9. State transportservices.
__MCE_ITEM__S10. Museums andlibraries of the State.
__MCE_ITEM__S11. State radio andtelevision services.
__MCE_ITEM__S12. State electricityservices.
__MCE_ITEM__S13. State roads.
__MCE_ITEM__S14. Elections intoState offices.
__MCE_ITEM__S15. State Public Debt.
__MCE_ITEM__S16. State Courts.
__MCE_ITEM__S17. Accounts and auditsof the accounts of the government of the State, courts and authorities thereof.
__MCE_ITEM__S18. State Police.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS &SEMI-AUTONOMOUS TERRITORIES
The powers and the functions of the Local Governments and/orSemi-Autonomous Territories will include the following:
__MCE_ITEM__L1.
The localgovernment constitutes areas that represent a natural, economic and socialwhole, and they are connected by joint interests of their population.
__MCE_ITEM__L2.
The localgovernment shall be responsible for decision-making on local tasks with directand substantial influence on the citizens' everyday life and work.
__MCE_ITEM__L3.
The area of a localgovernment is determined by the State after the opinion of the population fromthe given area has been ascertained, but an Autonomous Territory shall be ahistorical self-governing socio-cultural linguistic entity, too small to form acounty.
__MCE_ITEM__L4.
Local government isan independent body in deciding on matters within their respective spheres ofself-government in accordance with the Constitution of the Union of Nigeria,and are subject only to the supervision of lawfulness performed by theGovernment of the Union of Nigeria, the Region and State in which they arelocated.
__MCE_ITEM__L5.
The localgovernments have their statutes. The statute of a local government regulates inmore detail - in compliance with the law - the self-government scope of itsactivities, establishes the structure, authority and mode of operation of its bodies and organs, consultingforms for residents, implementation of referendum concerning issues in regardof self-government scope, establishment and operation of local self-government,structure and operation of public services, forms of cooperation among localself-government units, as well as other issues relevant for materialization ofrights and obligations.
__MCE_ITEM__L6.
The localgovernment shall:
__MCE_ITEM__a.
Ensure the conditions for the development of economic, social, publicutility and other activities and services, which are of importance for itsterritory;
__MCE_ITEM__b.
Ensure the conditions for zone and town planning and for protection ofthe human environment;
__MCE_ITEM__c.
Ensure good quality of housing, of the public utility facilities, of performanceof public utility and other service activities as well as of the localinfrastructure;
__MCE_ITEM__d.
Ensure local needs of the population in the area of child care, educationand instruction, public health (outpatient departments, medical centers, etc.),health protection of animals and protection of plants, social welfare, culture,physical culture and sports;
__MCE_ITEM__e.
Manage the local government property;
__MCE_ITEM__f.
Establish public institutions and other legal entities, in conformitywith the law, for the purpose of realizing certain economic, social, utilityand other social interests and needs of the population;
__MCE_ITEM__g.
Settle other matters, too, in conformity with the law;
__MCE_ITEM__h.
Establish its police system.
__MCE_ITEM__L7.
The right of voteat a referendum belongs to every Union citizen who has resided in the territoryof the local government, produces a minimum of the last five (5) years ofincome tax record for the years of residence and is also a registered voter.
__MCE_ITEM__L8.
A resident of alocal government area shall be defined as any Union of Nigeria citizen whoresides within the local government territory for five years continuously andalso has a local tax paying residence.
__MCE_ITEM__L9.
All residents of alocal government area shall be treated equally and have the legal right to takethe local government to the State, Region or Union to court when discriminatedagainst.
__MCE_ITEM__L10.
Election at thelocal government level other than in an autonomous territory shall be based onproof of residence and civic commitment, not ethnicity, in the territory underthe jurisdiction of the local government.
__MCE_ITEM__L11.
The localgovernment shall hold consultations on the issues affecting the localgovernment with officials of the State on a regular basis.
__MCE_ITEM__L12.
In performing thetasks under the local government jurisdiction of the State, the localgovernment has the right to withhold from application the general act of theState, if it assesses that such act violates the law or any of the localgovernment regulation, and to request from the State to eliminate it and if theState fails to do so, the local government may take legal action in theRegional Courts.
__MCE_ITEM__L13.
The localgovernment shall be responsible in determining the number of elected officialsit can support.
__MCE_ITEM__L14.
The Union, Region,or State cannot execute any program directly in a local government territory,without an express written agreement with the local government.
__MCE_ITEM__L15.
Members of thelocal government are answerable only to the Residents of their local governmentarea.
__MCE_ITEM__L16.
The rights andduties of members of the representative body of a local government shall be determinedby the local government by-laws and rules only.
__MCE_ITEM__L17.
Internal structureand functioning of the representative body of a local government shall bestipulated, in accordance with the local self-government by-laws only.
__MCE_ITEM__L18.
By-laws of a localgovernment, its budget and annual balance shall be the sole responsibility ofthe local government.
APPENDIX A
MAP I - 8 REGIONS
(NO NATIONALITY SHOULD BE SPLIT AMONG STATES ORSEMI-AUTONOMOUS TERRITORIES)
1. SOUTHCENTRAL (EDO UNITED NATION)
Edo State, Delta State minus Western
Igbo and Western Ijaw areas.
2. IGBO
Anambra State, Imo State, Abia State,
Enugu State,plus Western Igbo areas.
3. SOUTHEAST
Rivers State, Bayelsa State, Akwa Ibom
State, Cross River State, plus Western
Ijaw areas.
4. YORUBA
Lagos State, Ogun State, Oyo State,
OsunState, Ondo State, plus Yoruba
Kwara and Yoruba Kogi areas.
5. MIDDLEBELT WEST
Southern Kebbi, Northern Kwara, Niger
State,Northern Kogi, Southern Kaduna.
6. MIDDLEBELT EAST
Plateau State, Benue State, Taraba
State, Southern Bauchi, Southern
Adamawa.
7. HAUSA
Northern Kebbi, Sokoto State, Katsina
State,Northern Kaduna, Kano State,
JigawaState, Northern Bauchi.
8. NORTHEAST
Yobe State, Borno State, Northern
Adamawa
APPENDIX B
MAP II – 6 REGIONS
(NO NATIONALITY SHOULD BE SPLIT AMONG REGIONS)
1. WEST
LagosState, Ogun State, Oyo State, Osun
State, Ondo State, plus Yoruba Kwara and
Yoruba Kogi areas.
2. SOUTHCENTRAL (EDO UNITED NATION)
Edo State, Delta State minus WesternIgbo
andWestern Ijaw areas.
3. EAST
AnambraState, Imo State, Abia State, Enugu
State, plus Western Igbo areas.
4. SOUTHEAST
RiversState, Bayelsa State, Akwa Ibom
State,Cross River State, plus Western Ijaw
areas.
5. MIDDLEBELT
Southern Kebbi, Northern Kwara,Niger
State,Southern Kaduna, Plateau State,
NorthernKogi, Benue State, Southern
Bauchi, Taraba State, Southern Adamawa
6. NORTH
NorthernKebbi, Sokoto State, Katsina
State, Northern Kaduna,Kano State, Jigawa
State,Northern Bauchi, Yobe State, Borno
State,Northern Adamawa.
Note:Yobe, Borno, and Northern Adamawa
wouldneed to opt to be in this Region or
jointhe Middle Belt Region.
APPENDIX C
MAP III - SOUTHERN FEDERATION (NO NATIONALITY SHOULD BE SPLIT AMONG STATES OR SEMI-AUTONOMOUSTERRITORIES)
1. YORUBA STATE
Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Oshun, and Ondo
States, plus Yoruba Parts of Kwara and
Kogi States
2. EDO STATE
Edo State
3.URHOBO/ISOKO STATE
Delta State minus Western Ijaw and
WesternIgbo area
4. IJAWSTATE
Rivers State, Bayelsa State (minus
Ogoniland) plus Western Ijaw area
5. OGONISTATE
Ogoni area
6. IGBOSTATE
Anambra, Imo, Abia and Enugu States,
plusWestern Igbo areas
7. IBIBIOSTATE
Akwa Ibom State, plus Ibibio area in
theAnnang and Ebuno areas.
NOTE (A):
Thefollowing would have the option of
being SEMI-AUTONOMOUS TERRITORIES or
combining with others to form States:
1.Warri, Ika, Ndokwa areas.
2.Annang, Ebuno, Efik, and the
nationalities in Ogoja and Calabar
areas.
NOTE (B):
ASemi-Autonomous Territory is a distinct
Nationalitywhich does not form part of a
largernationality but which is so
diminutive in population and resources that
it cannot exercise the functions and
discharge the responsibilities of a State.
NOTE (C):
TheMiddle Belt Federation would consist
of the Territories at Appendix B Map II
Item 5 and the Northern Federation would
consist of the Territories at Item 6 of the
same Appendix.
APPENDIX D
NATIONALITIES OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA
(A) LagosState, Ogun State, Oyo State, Oshun State, (1) Yoruba
Ondo State, Parts of Kwara and Kogi States
(2) Butonus
(B) EdoState
(3)Edos
(C) DeltaState
(4)Urhobos
(5)Isokos
(6)Ikas
(7)Ndokwas
(8) Itsekiris
Notes:
i Urhobos and Isokos are Edo stock but have
developed aseparate personality. They were a
block known as Urhobo - Isoko Division under
British rule, butIsokos later asserted their
individuality as aDivision separate from
Urhobos.
Ii Ndokwas have pristine Edo connectionsbut have
since grownincreasingly towards the Igbo.
Iii Ikas are Edo Stock, being of the same kinship as
the Igbankes of Benin and Esan areas, but their
communities nearer Western Igbo areas (known as
Aniomas) now identify with Igbo sentiment.
Iv Itsekirismainstream are of Yoruba (Ijebu and
Ilaje) stock, but their royalty, chieftaincies,
ruling class and traditional ceremonials are of
Edo origin.
(D) Anambra State, Enugu State, Abia State, Imo
State, Igbo Parts of Delta State
(9) Igbos
(E) RIVERSSTATE
(10)Ijaws
(11) Ogonis
(12) Ikwerres
(13) Ogbas
Notes: i
Ikwerres are part-Igbo, part-Ijaw,have grown
increasinglytowards the Igbo.
ii Ogbasare of Edo ancestry and their traditional
ruler is styled "Oba of Ogbaland."
(F) Akwa IbomState
(14)Ibibios
(15) Annangs
(16) Ibunos
(G) Cross River State
(17)Efiks
(18) Bikyls
(19) Ejaghams
(20) Norrops
(21) Mbembes
(22) Yalas
(23) Efut-Abuas
Note:
Efiks,Bikyls, Ejaghams are in the Calabar zone while
the rest are in the Ogoja zone. It is claimed that
there is a broader and more inclusive classification
which may reduce the number of Cross River State
nationalities to five (5).
SOURCE: http://ihuanedo.ning.com/group/healtheducation/forum/topics/the-structure-of-nigeria-a-proposal-by-edookpamakhin-an-associati
