We the undersigned concerned citizens and friends of Nigeria have reviewed recent developments in Nigeria and are persuaded that Nigeria in its current form is structurally unworkable; and must either be restructured or split up! We cannot continue to watch and in effect mortgage the rights of the young and unborn. The vast majority of Nigerians are 'suffering and smiling' under successive corrupt and hedonistic democratic leadership whose lack of vision and purpose belie the trust of the Nigerians who elected them!

We therefore petition as follows:

 

1. A RESTRUCTURING OF THE FEDERAL CHARACTER

Out of the 25 federal countries in the world today, Nigeria is the only federation where land mass is used as a primary criteria for creating federating units.
All current federating units have been created by Northern military rulers; with 20 federating units created from the Northern region alone, while 17 federating units were created from the remaining 3 regions of the East, West and Midwest.

 

The nation has repeatedly been denied competent leaders by the anomalous political structure that has enabled the northern region to foist a presidential candidate upon the rest of the country.

2. A REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION

The current Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not fit for purpose. Although the 1979 Constitution and subsequent amendments have emphasised the secularity of the Nigerian State, no other faith is mentioned in the Nigerian Constitution except Islam. Provisions of the Constitution relating to sharia law must be expunged from the Constitution. A review of power sharing and revenue allocation is also necessary.

3. PRIORITISATION OF THE INFUSION AMENITIES INTO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION

The immediate delivery of safe drinking water, suitable housing, all weather roads, electrification and uninterrupted power supply, healthcare centres, contemporarily equipped teaching hospitals, schools, playgrounds and recreational facilities and much more to starved and neglected communities across the country must be prioritised.

 

4. DISQUALIFICATION OF PAST & PRESENT POLITICAL APPOINTEES, ELECTED AND PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS FROM VYING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE

The disqualification of any person who has 'served' in any political capacity or held public office in Nigeria in the past 40 years (1980 - 2020) from aspiring to any public office. Expeditious steps to be taken to legislate and enact such a law ahead of the 2023 elections.

5. PUBLICATION OF THE FINDINGS OF THE JUDICIAL ENQUIRY INTO THE CARNAGE SEEN DURING RECENT #ENDSARS PROTESTS IN OCTOBER 2020, JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS AND ADEQUATE COMPENSATIONS FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

The report of the Judicial enquiry into the circumstances in which the carnage witnessed during October 2020 youth protest occurred must be published, perpetrators be brought to book and the recommendations given full effect. Adequate compensations for families that suffered the loss of loved ones.

6. EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESOURCES OF THE STATE INCLUDING OIL WELLS

Nigeria is the only oil-producing country where oil wells are allocated to individuals. Over 80% of the oil blocks have been allocated to the Northerners or to their Southern frontmen and allies. 

7. GRAND SCALE REFORMATION OF ALL STATE SECURITY SERVICES

The complete overhaul of the all state security services including the Nigerian police, armed forces, Customs and Immigration and National Civil Defence Corps recruitment processes, service protocols, remuneration and retirement benefits. A re-orientation of personnel and restructuring of the various agencies for improved efficiency and outcomes.

8. A REVIEW OF THE SALARY, BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT PACKAGES OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND PUBLIC SERVANTSWe demand an immediate and urgent review of the emoluments of incumbent governors, members of the Senate and Houses of Representatives together with the outrageous retirement packages of past governors and their deputies. The remuneration of the present and past elected representatives must be fair and reasonable in every circumstance having regard to the provisions of the Constitution. Nigerian law makers currently earn millions of dollars per annum in a country where the majority of her citizens live in extreme poverty; living on $2 per day.                                                                     
We seek further to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to release all incarcerated #ENDSARS protesters and their family members; and reverse all punitive measures taken against them.
We invite the application of severe sanctions by the international community against the government of Nigeria and all political office holders at Federal and state levels for continuing human rights violations, dictatorship and refusal to accede to any of foregoing equitable demands for change in governance.