What do you make of the general conduct of the delegates so far?
The delegates have been forthcoming virtually from every aspect of the Nigerian life; from all regions of the country. They told the conference what their grievances are, what they expect the national government to do, what they expect the states to do, how they want to structure the country for the benefit of all, how they want the resources and responsibilities to match by devolving power particularly, to the federating units. These are some of the things we have discussed. We discussed problems peculiar to every part of the country. Remember the northern region has a peculiar problem of insurgency, particularly in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States which is peeling over to the North Central. They have discussed that at the plenary especially when contributing to the speech of Mr. President. Issues of complaints, how some have been marginalized somehow have been raised, some of them would want the state ticket to balance the equation somehow the way they put it, the problem of kidnapping in that region was also mentioned. In the south west, question of bloody armed robbery and murder among other things were discussed. In the east and south-south, kidnapping is rampant, so virtually like that. Some parts of the country that have been marginalized in one way or the other came out openly to say they are marginalized, for example, the North Central. We discussed the conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers clash, we discussed all these and now each committee is trying hard so that when we put all our works together, a better Nigeria can emerge.
One issue about the federating units is that the cost of governance is too much, agitation for state creation……….
The question of restructuring of the federation is cardinal, it is a key position of the Southwest and we hope the present conference will examine and consider favourably our position on that. We are not discouraged by what will happen because Southwest has always been in the forefront of agitating for positive proactive measures in Nigeria. This national conference for example, the idea was rooted in the Southwest long ago. We have been agitating for it for over 40 years. Other Nigerians were not persuaded then but now they are convinced that there should be a national conference. If we have to remain together, we have to discuss our differences. As regards the question of restructuring and dividing the country into zones, we think it is the best. Why do we not regroup states in Nigeria may be to 6, 12, name the numbers that is convenient based on cultural, languages and other factors. If we have gotten to that, it would bring down the cost of governance somehow then it will make each region to develop at its own pace. When you decentralize power and resources to the federating units, then there will be every rivalry, we have had it before shortly after the Western Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria, Northern Nigeria and Mid-Western Nigeria, there was keen rivalry and the eagerness to develop. This is the type of thing the Southwest want now. Others may not be persuaded now but as time goes on, we will continue to tell them the merits of that type of arrangement. May be, even before we leave this conference, some people may be converted to the right position.
If the position of the southwest is implemented, what happens to the issue of resource control?
No, we just come out of that knotty problem now, the position of the southwest is that a substantial part of the resources, for example, if 6 states of the southwest are able to come together, they will control their resources and pay something to the centre, that is all and if it can be done in the southwest, it can be done in the north east. What I am saying is that the region or zones will control their resources and pay to the central government for the central government to be able to run key central issue like defence, currency, foreign affairs and others.
Are you suggesting any percentage?
Well, that is subject to negotiation between the federating units and the central government. It can be tabled considering the needs of the various components of the country.
So the southwest position on mineral resources is not a political alliance with political South-South?
No, remember what determines alliance and cross-alliances all over the world. If the interest of the southwest tallies with that of the south-south or south-east or even the north, why not, we will be in alliance with them, the political marriage will exist just to protect our common interest if that interest is the same. What is wrong in that? Nothing, if our interest is the same we will uphold it and defend it.
Going by the southwest position, does it means that local government will no longer be a tier of government?
Our own position is that the local government should not be a federating unit.
