*Describes those against idea as insincere, sycophants
*Likens Nigeria to forced marriage
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), yesterday, lent its support to a submission at the weekend by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, that the unity of the country was negotiable.
PANDEF also stressed that Nigeria’s unity was like a forced marriage.
National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon. Ken Robinson, told THISDAY that PANDEF could not agree more with Kingibe on his assertion that the unity of Nigeria was negotiable.
He stated, “Of course, Nigeria’s unity is negotiable, those who say the country’s unity is non-negotiable are being insincere and sycophantic. The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation is right, even the union between husband and wife can be negotiated.
“Nigeria can be likened to a forced marriage. We were different nations and ethnic nationalities before being coerced into one country by the British. Sadly, Nigeria has been unable to transform itself into a true nation, even after over 60 years of Independence and self-governance.
“The country has been bedevilled with a myriad of problems, mostly self-induced, and is still grappling with its national identity. And funnily, some individuals are suggesting the country’s unity cannot be discussed.”
Robinson also discussed the issue of sectional economic leeching, saying, “The amalgamation was not only to reduce the administrative burden on them (the British) but was rather to allow the rich south to effectively subsidise the much less economically prosperous north.
“A scandalous portrayal of the amalgamation credited to Lord Lugard authenticated this fact. That it’s a marriage between the ‘rich wife of substance and means’ (the south) and the ‘poor husband’ (the north), which would lead to a happy life for both. But the marriage is not working!”
The forum further emphasised that the Federal Character principle, which was introduced to address the problem of lop-sidedness and ethnic domination in the country was being brazenly infringed.
Robinson said, “A look at verified figures of the Value Added Tax (VAT) generated and received by states in the country between January and August of 2021 further make bare the unimaginable levels of disproportionality, unfairness, inequity and injustice being perpetrated in Nigeria.
“Zamfara State generates N75 million, gets N4.5 billion monthly; Kano, which generated N24.492 billion received N4.082 billion, while Lagos generated N429. 203 billion and received the sum of N139.587 billion; Rivers generated N90.293 billion and received N 46. 270 billion.”
The PANDEF spokesman added that President Muhammadu Buhari would complete two terms of eight years as president in 2023, “and suddenly, some unpatriotic individuals and groups are saying the presidency should be open to all zones in 2023. And that’s capable of worsening the current bare threads of national cohesion, unity and all-around prosperity!”
PANDEF further emphasised the need for Nigerians – North and South – to sit down, in mutual respect and love to discuss and adopt new “terms and conditions” for the unity and future of Nigeria.
According to the group, “The disproportions, inequities, unfairness and injustices arising from the largely flawed constitution have to be corrected.
“We cannot continue in the way and manner we have been conducting the affairs in the last 60 years and hope to have a united, peaceful and prosperous country.
“Let us remind the respected former SSG that it would be better to leave an abusive marriage than remain and suffer collateral, irreparable lose due to considerations of not being sure where you are going or the consequence of where you are going.”
