Ukiwe, Jang, Akintoye, Others Warn World Bank, IMF against Fresh Loans to Nigeria

Prominent elder statesmen and leaders of thought yesterday warned the international community against lending the federal government more loans, stating that “Nigeria is now a country with questionable sovereignty.”

The eminent Nigerians, numbering 129, were signatories to the Constitutional Force Majure (CFM) declared on December 16, 2020 on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Notable among the leaders are former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd); former Governor of Plateau State, Air Commodore Jonah Jang, renowned historian, and Second Republic Member of the Senate, Prof. Banji Akintoye; former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; respected varsity don, Professor Yusuf Turaki and 124 others.

In a statement released yesterday, they warned the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations, African Union, European Union, United States, French, Chinese and British Governments against lending fresh loans to the Nigerian government, stressing that borrowing a “disputed project” loan can only be considered an act of negligence.

The statement issued by the Chairman of the Steering Committee of NINAS, Folashade Olukoya, on behalf of the NINAS Secretariat, reads: “News reaching the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS), says that the Nigerian government has taken on further loans.

“Again, we remind the International Community that Nigeria is now a disputed project. This was articulated in our press conference of December 16, 2020, when we declared a Constitutional Force Majeure.

“Subsequent activities as articulated at press conferences of March 17, 2021, and April 17, 2021 emphasise that Nigeria remains a disputed project. Knowing this and lending to a disputed project can only be considered negligence.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the indigenous nations will not, and cannot be expected to repay such loans or allow their assets to be used as collateral to offset the loans.”