Any individual or group of persons denying knowledge of the true state of affairs in Nigeria, might be living in an opportune self denial. Today, our nation is engulfed in a cesspool of quagmire, prejudice, restiveness, separatist tendencies, insecurity, nepotic inclination and excruciating regional tensions. There have been massive concerns across all the divides pointing to the calls for comprehensive approach and strategy to stem the rising tide. It should therefore be the concern of all progressive political leaders, opinion leaders, socio-economic players, technocrats, political actors and well meaning individuals, to go back to the drawing board just so that they could attempt to ascertain with utmost thoroughness, why and where the cloud is getting darker and carefully draw out focal points from the yearnings and demands of the people. The aggregate of opinion formed on this must procedural, undergo conscientious legislative touch to crystallize quick heal.
Not quite a few notable individuals and groups have been vociferous in their rejection of the 1999 constitution, citing it’s content and provisions as anti-people. Chief Edwin Clarke had at sometime posited that the 1999 constitution rather than addressing core issues, has created humongous problems.
To what may be perceived as relics of stratographic mentality,1999 constitution, replete with junta’s input was stuffed with marginalization characters, ethnocentric and egocentric provisions. Such legal repository no longer hold sway in the hearts of the contemporaries especially, the marginalized, dehumanized and economic sabotaged sections of the country hence the need for enormous support in favor of new reforms.
Across the major geo-political zones in Nigeria, there had been a louder clamor for restructuring and devolution of power, among the federating units of government. The call to revive the hemorrhaging nation, has risen to a stratospheric level. While some political elites have been in denial, visibly demonstrated in their sheer recalcitrance and mutual distrust among the federating units, some had continued to revel in disregard and rejection for proper restructuring of the entity called Nigeria. Others have refused to see the positive impact the constitutional amendment would offer towards achieving better cohesion and national growth the country had long sought for.
Gov.Ugwuanyi, well known for his strong voice and advocacy for egalitarianism, equity and fairness, had continued to canvass among other things for the review of 1999 constitution which formed part of the resolutions/communique at the just concluded Southern Governors meeting held in Asaba, Delta State.
There have been agitations from different sections of the country on the need for true federalism. Failure of the central government to hearken to these clarion requests have given rise to renewed pockets of secessionist agitation across the country. Gov.Ugwuanyi is strongly in support of public oriented cause and other contentious issues, which the proposed review seeks to address and these include; the derivation formula, revenue allocation, fiscal federation, states creation, resource control, local government creation by states, state police, and the perceived long-standing marginalization of the ethnic minorities and a few regions of the country.
Another pointer to Gov.Ugwuanyi’s stance, is the recent declaration of his administration’s support for the review of 1999 constitution at the zonal public hearing of Senate Committee on review of the 1999 constitution currently, ongoing in Enugu. Such open declaration can only be made by a conscientious, public spirited and development-driven public servant who had remained unswayed even in face of the opposition. As a firm believer, he understands that when the outlined issues are addressed, it will not only benefit Enugu State in no small measure but there would be a concerted investment in exploitation of God’s gifted potentials and other abundant resources in Enugu State. Despite Gov.Ugwuanyi’s commendable strides in security, subsequent adoption of state policing, will give him enormous leverage to make Enugu state, the safest haven on earth. “Ukwutu Ukwu Ego Na Eme Dibia Ka Ovuo Mgborogwu Di Na Ajo Ohia” (Huge amount of money encourages the herbalist to uproot even the roots that grows in evil forest).
Recall that in the year 2014, the former Nigeria President, Goodluck Jonathan disturbed by the cry from the desert called for a National Confabulation with attendees and representatives, drawn from all the six(6) geo-political zones in the country. The meeting produced viable suggestions and proposals, carefully domiciled in 2014 Confab Report. Unfortunately, the report was dissonantly rejected by the northern hegemony on the grounds that their general interests were not captured or represented. Hopes of many patriotic Nigerians were shattered following President Buhari’s position on the burning issue when he remarked that the 2014 Confab Report belongs to the Archive and demanded that the widely accepted report, be thrown into the dungeon. Meanwhile, some opinion leaders and political actors of the northern extraction had continued to lend their voices on the pressing need to restructure the country and address other pertinent issues, hereinafter.
It is therefore expedient that the progressive minded individuals should toe the line of Gov.Ugwuanyi, to give maximum support to the issues of restructuring the Nigerian state.
Just recently, Gov.Ugwuanyi attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka 4th Adada lecture with the theme”Restructuring, Security Challenges and Development”. The voice of the great leader, has been in the lead campaigning for people’s oriented policies, bills and proposals.
Gov.Ugwuanyi’s character can be likened to that of a snail which will never abandon it’s shell, come what may.
Bibian Anekwe News.. added…There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.
Written by
Gibson Uchenna Ilozuru
(Political Analyst)
Media Team Member: Enugu di n’akachukwu movement
