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• Asari Dokubo, ex-militant leader, has warned that if Tinubu fails to restructure Nigeria, the country’s unity will be threatened .

Niger Delta Leader Exposes “Feudal” System Keeping States as Beggars

By Our Correspondent

A storm is brewing in Nigeria’s political landscape as Prof. G.G. Darah, First Delta State Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a delegate to the 2014 National Confab, has issued a blistering challenge to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly over their continued evasion of the pressing issue of national restructuring .

In a no-holds-barred statement, Prof. Darah demanded that President Tinubu and the National Assembly stop dodging the imperative action of “Restructuring” and answer urgent questions about why they are running away from the majority will of Nigerians .

“Fed Govt Kidnapped Nigeria’s Wealth”: Prof. Darah’s Scathing Indictment

The respected academic challenged the administration to explain why the Federal Government continues to monopolize the most lucrative sectors of the economy, effectively turning states into “beggars” dependent on monthly stipends and palliatives from Abuja .

Prof. Darah’s statement zeroed in on critical constitutional provisions, asking whether proposed amendments would address the abrogation of Section 44(3), which gives the Federal Government monopoly ownership of oil and gas resourcesand Item 39 of the Exclusive Legislative List, which forbids states from engaging in geological surveys and mineral exploitation .

“If Nigeria operates a genuine FEDERAL SYSTEM of Government like USA, Canada, India, Australia, why does the central government hijack or ‘kidnap’ the juicy economic resources of the country?” Prof. Darah queried .

• During the First Republic, the four regions shared public revenues equitably: 50% to the region of derivation, 20% to the central government, and 30% to a Distributable Pool shared equally by central and regional governments .

The “Military Jackboots” Still Stomping Nigeria

Prof. Darah recounted how the 1963 Republican Constitution was aborted by military regimes, leading to the current “oppressive system” he described as feudal and aristocratic . He noted that the iniquitous elements of the 1999 Constitution were smuggled in via the Abacha transition programme and enacted through Decree 24 of 1999 by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar .

“Sadly, 26 years after, our National Assembly has not had the courage to annul or throw away that Decree 24. Is Nigeria still under the jack boots of military tyrants?” he thundered .

The PANDEF leader pointed to the plight of states like Plateau and Nasarawa, which have about 25 solid minerals including iron ore, gold, diamond, uranium, and lithium, but are constitutionally barred from exploiting them under Item 39 .

“In a federal setting, the mineral-rich States can invite investors from South Africa or Australia to develop the mineral deposits and earn huge revenues to set up schools, health facilities or security outfits to combat Boko Haram or kidnappers,” he argued .

Tinubu Accused of Cowardice as Yoruba Base, South-South, Middle Belt, North-East, South-East All Demand Restructuring

The PANDEF leader posed a damning question to President Tinubu, whose Yoruba ethnic base in the Southwest allegedly wants restructuring, as do the South-South, Middle Belt, North-East, and South-East states .

“So, why are Tinubu and the National Assembly dodging the imperative action of Restructuring?” he asked, noting that the 2014 National Confab Report and the El-Rufai Committee Report contain clear pathways for what needs to be done .

Prof. Darah dismissed “regional development commissions” as irrelevant, asking if they have “legislative authority like the States with elected Governors and Assemblies?” and whether they can “develop mineral and other resources in their mandate areas” .

He challenged President Tinubu: “If President Tinubu has a pact with the political devils that underdevelop Nigeria, what of the major opposition parties – PDP, ADC, NDC, APGA, ACCORD? Why are they also AFRAID to support Restructuring? If they support it in principle, why is RESTRUCTURING not in the top burner of their campaign items?” .

PANDEF Demands Return to 1963 Constitution

This latest salvo follows PANDEF’s longstanding demand for a return to the 1963 Constitution where regions were semi-autonomous and contributed to the centre . PANDEF National Chairman Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien has previously called for a small centre government that would make contestation for power less acrimonious

The group has also called for moving items from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List to enable states to generate revenue and pay a percentage to the centre . At a recent multi-stakeholder dialogue in Port Harcourt, PANDEF produced six documents centered on constitutional review and devolution of power .

• PANDEF has called for state policing to be allowed in the Constitution .

“ON RESTRUCTURING WE STAND”

The group has repeatedly warned that Nigeria cannot achieve its potential without holistic restructuring . PANDEF has also demanded that derivation funds for oil-producing states be increased to 50% and warned against scrapping the derivation principle .

Prof. Darah concluded with a defiant declaration: “ON RESTRUCTURING WE STAND.”

• A former PANDEF chairman warned it would be “disappointing” if Tinubu, who has previously advocated for restructuring, fails to make it happen .