The legacy of Nigeria's Federal System of Government

"Fifty years ago, the Igbos attempted to secede, abandoning the Nigerian union entirely and found their own nation called Biafra. Unwilling to let them go, the Nigerian government resisted. A ghastly civil war ensued.
After three years of fighting, the Igbos surrendered in 1970. Threatening to resurrect Biafra now seems to be the chosen way for the discontented Igbos to get the attention they desperately seek."- BBC.     Photo: Facebook

The legacy of the federal system is a South-East Nigeria weakened by economic and political dependency. Ndigbo must take economic power and resources into their own hands if they are to give hope to its young people who are the victims of social exclusion and mass poverty by those 'sucking the lifeblood ' out of the rest of the country.

 According to George Kerevan and Alan Cochrane, "People living in a dependency culture are not free in mind, spirit or life choice even if they enjoy formal political liberties. Individuals in such a society have decisioms taken for them defacto by the state or priviledged interest groups".

Independence aims to end that dependency culture making Biafrans stand on their own two feet instead of waiting for monthly allocation that often end up in the mouth of state governors, their families, friends and associates and the rich people that help them win election.

 Local government workers are not paid, pensioners are not paid , no jobs for young people, universities not funded, no good hospital instead they promote medical tourism, no infrastructural investment, no international airports, no internet ,....m etc. One begins to imagine, how they want the youths to reach out to the outside world especially in the age of Facebook Youtube, twitter,etc. Independence is about  creating the right circumstances to re-industrialise the Biafra economy by Biafrans themselves, not by outsiders.

 George Kerevan and Alan Cochrane concluded that "the creation of a new state is surely the best opportunity that is ever likely to present itself for radical reforms which has the potential to unlock really significant economic benefits.

Till date Biafra civilians are treated with gross abuse, with road blocks virtually in every Biafra land including a recent invasion of Biafra communities by Fulani herdsmen destroying farmlands, raping women and the called federal Governors are powerless. That's the whole point.  Ndigbo have contributed a lot to the development of Nigeria.

A recent barbaric quit notice only confirms the fear of many about the need for a united Nigeria.

Uche Okeke

The LEAD Project Foundation: Take action for a better future

The LEAD Project Foundation: Take action for a better future: "Beyond the constant stream of negative news, there are stories of hope and concrete solutions. Stories of change-makers tackling so...

National budget war: The battle for the wealth of the nation.

"The Senate is filled with people of questionable character who put their personal interest ahead of that of the nation"-Professor Itse Sagay. Photo : Google Images




The big thug vs the rich people that helped him win election. The battle for the big loot.
The big thug will not get the money without the rich people that helped him win the election so why wouldn't the rich people that helped him win the election get a fair share of the national loot?


Simply put, the legislators want their share of the national budget because they don't trust the executive for proper execution especially the autocratic governors. The politics is that the executive will not get funds including external borrowing without the the legislators so why would they turn blind eye when it's obvious that there will not be proper accountability. We must have our share of the national cake.


 The result is that they will be in a weak financial position to fund the next election, exert influence in their communities and respective political parties, leaving the terrain to the federal executives and the state governors.


 These are some of the sad outcomes of centralisation- gross neglect and abuse, alienation, social exclusion and poverty to ordinary people who are supposed to be the main beneficiaries of democratic governance. These people are not accountable to their constituents. They are not accountable to anyone.


There is urgent need for active civil society support to help provide ordinary people with vital information that will help them make better decisions.


The truth is that  some of the legislators are unqualified to be in the national assembly. Some of them have just basic school certificates, some have forged documents, just beneficiaries of Nigeria's dysfunctional politics.


 "According to Ian Birrell, "some are charlatans and chancers, but most are decent people doing difficult jobs..., although this can be hard to appreciate amid the tedious tribalism".


 There must be a break from the old way of doing things to salvage our fragile democracy marked by gross inequality.


Uche Okeke
Read More:
 Fashola Replies Senate: You Lack Understanding Of The Facts:
He said the allocations were diverted to construction of scores of boreholes and primary health care centres, which were never discussed during the ministerial budget defence at the parliament.
But the spokespersons of the Senate and the House of Representatives, in separate responses, had accused the minister of spreading “half-truths” and making “fallacious’’ statements
http://zurumnews247.chayns.net/ticker?M=59851143



NULGE: 26 states owe LGAs workers’ salaries, Bayelsa tops list
Read More:
http://zurumnews247.chayns.net/tapp/index/91958?M=59865151

Independent State of BIAFRA is the Future of Ndi-Igbo in the Modern Era

Biafra Youths Protest Against A Federal High Court Ruling Proscribing IPOB as a Terrorist Organisation in Aba Abia State, South-East Nigeria. Photo: Google.

"We strongly and unequivocally affirm that Igbo People have a right to self determination as clearly enshrined in Article 1(2) of the United Nations Charter (1945), as well as in Article 3, 4 and 5 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007) . The right to self-determination is also enshrined in article 20 of the African Charter on Human & People's Rights, which Nigeria ratified and domesticated as a law of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004 (Ratification & Enforcement Act ) Cap 9 article 20(1), which provides that  "all peoples shall have right to existence. They shall have unquestionable and inalienable right to self determination. They shall freely determine their political status and shall pursue their economic and social development according to the policy they have freely chosen"-[Igbo Groups Demand Referendum For Ndigbo, Vanguard , September 4 2018].
The emphasis on oil or size is STUPID, BULLSHIT. Oil is the cause of our sufferings. There is abundant evidence of  successful economies that do not have the benefit of oil. They have thrived on efficient tax system, technology, entrepreneurship, trade, pioneering investment, creativity and innovation, greater economic diversification, modernisation, prudent management, good governance,  Foreign Direct Investment including the myth of diaspora. Today there are 'conflicting and confusing messages out there that ordinary people are now split between the notorious past and unpredictable future. I think it's very imperative we help enlighten people about the urgent need for Independent State of BIAFRA, so that ordinary people can be well-informed about the need to fight for their future and demand change from the way things are. Never has the need for Independence become very imperative than now. What we have witnessed so far has necessitated the urgent need for political and economic independence. In the words of Peter Jay; "when we see nothing but improvement behind us , we expect nothing but deterioration before us'', our only hope is to take our own destiny in our own hands. The status-quo is not desirable as the power holders are not willing to address our continued marginalisation and exclusion in the Nigeria project. Till date the government is using conquering techniques to address our development challenges.  It's very obvious in the current development policy of 90%/5% and jettissioning of the federal character in political appointments by the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari. There is a new peril of the Fulani Herdsmen, the fourth deadliest terror group in the world forced on us by way of grazing policy. We have seen the devastations so far in our communities and other communities nationwide. Furthermore,  No Igbo man is among the head of the entire national security organisations, this presents a great danger especially in an ethnic diverse society like Nigeria.

 According to George Kerevan and Alan Cochrane: "the arguement that size should confer greater risk is not found in any economic textbook". Biafra population is more than so many young and prosperous countries. Biafra is a great technology and knowledge based society, so success is guaranteed. All that is needed is just to take our future in our own hands. We're being slowed down and forced to develop or detoriate alongside others despite our positive strength and comparative advantages. The truth is that there is conclusive evidence about the success of Independent State of BIAFRA, but it must be a process. We have recommended Regional Autonomy as the first process for the actualisation of Independent State of BIAFRA to reduce tension, potential violence, protect our investments and assets, savings, pensions, etc, and gradually put to end the prevalent sycophancy and political clientellism. Regional Autonomy is the shortest and easiest route to secure Independent State of BIAFRA. However, we must have a Regional political party that is not willing to compromise rather to form strategic alliance or vote for any political party that guarantees us Autonomy. This need visionary leaders not willing to allow itself be bribed with oil blocks and political appointments. Independent State of  BIAFRA is better than the present 'ramshackle state' designed to run a Stanilist centralist state to issue orders. A Normadic democracy and opportunist politics- build a large army, fund pilgrimage, traditional rulers, religious leaders, fake prophets and alfas, sycophancy and dependency culture. The system is full of injustices . BIAFRA is a struggle of a people inspired by their own suffering and their own experience in the Nigeria Project.  Independence aims to end the dependency culture and well-intentioned marginalisation of Ndi-Igbo in the Nigeria Project using conquering tactis. BIAFRA will not control its economic destiny or fulfil the potential of its people if it remains tied to the 'dictates of inherited priviledge and vested interests.' In the words of George Kerevan and Alan Cochrane; "the gains from independence come not from oil rather the ability to raise productivity, investment and innovation once economic and political autonomy has been attained"[The Great Debate: Scotish Independence Yes/No; Gerorge Kerevan and Alan Cochrane].

The arguement for restructuring of the current political structure is synonymous to that of Independent State of Biafra. I have taken my time to present a very comprehensive arguement on the need for a restructured Nigeria to empower people not control. I have argued that in changing times, anything other than restructuring to ensure human liberation and empowerment is a distraction. Human empowerment is the future especially in an era of the challenges posed by technology/globalisation. Click on this link to read my position on restructuring Nigeria. The Hard Truth About Restructuring Nigeria: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/09/the-hard-truth-about-restructuring.html

*Better Governance:
"Good governance leads to better economic performance"-Professor Richard Griffiths.
BIAFRA presents that magic bullet to achieve good governance. Good governance is about openness, and transparency, efficient provision of public goods, infrastructure, building strong institutions that will remove the need for bribery and corruption, increased levels of trust, greater provision of public services including education and healthcare, reducing the incentive for grab your share of the national cake that has defined Nigeria, economic growth and prosperity . Independence is one sure way to have a fair and just society- freedom, equity, social justice reigns. Homogeneity increases trust, good governance and leads to economic progress.

*Trust:
In Nigeria today, trust is completely broken. without trust there's no business, the higher the levels of trust, the better the quality of governance. Undermining trusts is a threat to just about everything.
The government under President Muhammadu Buhari does not act in the interest of the whole as evidenced in his political favouritism and bias against Ndigbo. None of his security chiefs is Igbo man in their own country. 'Trust is central to the formation of the society'. Trust is very essential to  society. Homogeneity in society leads to increase in levels of trust which leads to increase in quality of governance. Homogeneous society, interms of ethnic composition is a great advantage to nation building. According to Professor Richard Griffiths; "The higher the levels of trust, the better the quality of governance, good governance will lead to better economic performance, economic growth, peace and prosperity".- Political Economy of Institutions and Development, Universiteit Leiden

*Greater Citizen Engagement
Independence offers the greatest opportunity for citizen engagement. According to the world bank, "citizen engagement help improve transparency and accountability of public policies, promotes citizens trust, forge concensus around important reforms and build the political and public support necessary to sustain them". Independent State of BIAFRA addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goals- SDGs 1- No Poverty, 8-Decent work and Economic Growth, 10-Reduced Inequalities and 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Employing a political economy approach, Independent States/Autonomy will avoid centralised leadership, promote decentralized leadership for more effective governance, prevent dominant coalition, make it 'easier to obtain consensus, develop and propagate its own agenda , build separated and strong institutions-investigative and judicial arm and promote its own ideology and diplomacy, cultural and historical factors, greater citizen engagement-accountability and transparency, embrace partnership as part of its own development strategy. Unlike the current structure characterised by self-interests, formation of dominant coalition, lack of transparency and accountability, weak institutions and mechanisms to hold leaders to account for their promises.

*The Myth of  BIAFRA Diaspora
The population of Biafra diaspora is huge, the highest contributor of direct foreign investment in Nigeria, they need a place they call home to utilise their expertise,  and resources to make a huge impact. BIAFRA offers them the place to do just that.

*Greater Economic Development
(Diversification-Agriculture, Mfg, Trade, Taxation,
Technology, Tourism,etc.)

*Infrastructutal Investment
(Int'l Airports, SeaPorts,
Power Generation,
Railways,
 Re-Industrialisation,
 Urbanisation, etc).

*Technology/Globalisation:
"Technology is a force for peace and prosperity"-WEF
BIAFRA is a technology nation, nation of makers, innovators and inventors. Independence will offer the opportunity to develop its technology capacity to "raise productivity, creating new better paid jobs for its citizens and spreading the benefits across the new country". Independence will enhance the adoption of new technologies and take the new country into the next industrial level. The world has changed, it favours countries willing to embrace new technologies, of which Biafra is reputable for that. I have chosen to reproduce ex- BIAFRA leader, Late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu's remarks here to guide our readers. 'The Pride of Black Race'; Emeka Ojukwu, Nigeria Law School, Lagos , February 1994: "The war has come and gone but we remember with pride and hope, the three heady years of freedom. These were the three years when we had the opportunity to demonstrate what Nigeria would have been even before 1970. In the three years of war necessity gave birth to invention. During those three years we built bombs, we built rockets, we designed and built our own delivery system. We guided our rockets, we guided them far and guided them accurately. For three years blockaded without the hope of imports, we maintained engines, machines and technical equipments. The state extracted and refined petroleum with our own indigenous technology called 'the Biafran pot'. Individuals refined petrol in their backyards gardens. We built and maintained airports and airstrips. We maintained them under heavy bombardment. We spoke to the world through a telecommunication system engineered by local ingenuity. The world heard us and spoke back at us. We built armoured tanks and cars. We modified aircraft from trainers to fighters, from passenger aircraft to bombers. In three years of freedom we became the most civilised, the most technologically advanced black people on earth".

*Immigration/Emigration:
 People migrate from neighbouring countries to Nigeria and threaten indigenous land owners. This threatens food security, security and prosperity of Biafra citizens as we have witnessed in the case of the Herdsmen policy in Nigeria, where the government wants them to be accomodated by various indiginous communities despite abundance evidence of the 'bloody borders' with the herdsmen. Independent State of BIAFRA is one sure way to secure our borders from maurading invaders and for innovative management to achieve growth, by focusing on Big businesses and other Foreign Direct Investment.

*Defence/Security & Jobs

*Cultural, Moral, Identity & Growth

*International Organisations/NGOs, etc

*Global Partnerships/International Institutions

*Growth And Stability:

The recent intervention by a group of Igbo organizations in the diaspora and at home comprising Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Global Igbo Alliance (GIA), World Igbo Congress (WIC), and Igbo Caucus of the Lower Niger Congress( LNC), calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to organise a referendum for the Igbo People to determine their future in Nigeria is a good development whose time has come. Indeed, the time has come for Ndigbo to take their destiny in their own hands.

Uche Okeke is a Statistician, Social Entrepreneur and Development Practitioner. He is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation and the Author of Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It. He has participated in the course Political Economy of Institutions And Development, Universiteit Leiden, and several International Development courses. He lives in London.

References:

1. Automation And AI Are Leading The UK Into A New Industrial Age; Greg Clark CityAM Thursday 27 September 2018.

2. Biafra : The Hard Choice Between Notorious Past And Unpredictable Future, Uche Okeke, The LEAD Project Foundation, June 26,  2017.

3. Engaging Citizens; A Game Changer For Development, The World Bank Group/LSE

4. Igbo Group Demands Referendum For Ndigbo, Vanguard September 4 2018.

5. Igbo Presidency is not the Answer to Equality and Liberty in a 21st century Nigeria, Uche Okeke, The LEAD Project Foundation 2018.

6. Igbo President is a Right not a Choice in their own country, Uche Okeke, The LEAD Project Foundation 2018.

7. The Great Debate; Scotish Independence Yes OR No; George Kerevan and Alan Cochrane.

8. 'The Pride of Black Race'; Emeka Ojukwu, Nigeria Law School, Lagos , February 1994: 

9. .Peter Jay, London 2000; Road To Riches or The Wealth of Man.

10. Political Economy of Institutions and Development, Professor Richard Griffiths, Universiteit
Leiden.

11. Quit Notice: Bluffing Inorder To Diminish The Agitation of Independent State of Biafra, Uche Okeke, The LEAD Project Foundation, June 26, 2017.

12.  Small States in World Markets: Industrial Policy in Europe; Professor Peter Katzenstein, 1985.

13. We Are No Longer Comfortable Being Part of Nigeria, Says Ohaneze Ndigbo, Uche Okeke, The LEAD Project Foundation, 2018

From crisis to crisis: Avoidable tragedy of Nigeria's fragile democracy

Regions must take economic power and resources into their own hands to give its young people hope for a better future. The current system where there is abundant poverty in the midst of plenty is not what ordinary people desire. Photo: Goggle images.

*Stop Nigeria’s Impending Anarchy, Utomi Urges Groups

*Fashola Replies Senate: You Lack Understanding Of The Facts

*Tension in Nigeria: Babangida proffers solutions, says war not an option

*NULGE: 26 states owe LGAs workers’ salaries, Bayelsa tops list

*Nigeria: ASUU Raises the Alarm Over Fee Increase in 38 Varsities

Read More: http://zurumnews247.chayns.net/tapp/index/91958

 Also Read some of our Analysis of Social Issues in Nigeria here:
http://www.zurumnewsdigest.com/

Quit Notice: The begining of the first true modernising revolution in Nigeria.

Federal Executive Council Approves 2014 national Conference Report. Photo: Google.


I'm very optimistic about the possibility of change towards a more inclusive society. Inclusiveness is one possible way we can drive a prosperous society.


 There is urgent need for national dialogue to change this Stalinist, centralist system characterised by Autocracy, Sycophancy, Dependancy,and Political clintellism; a system that works for just few people and creates constant agitation and unrest.


 Moving power down to identity remains the best fit model for modern democracy and development. 'Transforming ourselves and our world requires a great deal of effort', new thinking and a break from the old way of doing things.


 Strenghtening the union through inclusiveness and equal participation in decision-making by other regions 'will constitute the first true-mordernising revolution' in the Nigeria Project.


 A break from Abuja's grip on power is the first step towards modernisation.


According to Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's former Vice President ; the restructuring debate transcended the ambition of any single politician in Nigeria, and that any attempt to ignore the agitations could make a bad situation more complicated."


 He concluded :  “our current federal structure should be freely discussed by allowing the federating units voice their grievances with a view to finding workable solutions that protects the rights and interests of all."


Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur. He is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation. He lives in London, UK.

BIAFRA: The Hard Choice Between Notorious Past and Unpredictable Future

"BIAFRA is a struggle of a people inspired by their own suffering and their own experience in the Nigeria Project- Social exclusion and massive poverty"- Uche Okeke
 Photo: Google Images

Quit Notice: Bluffing inorder to diminish the agitation of Independent State of Biafra.

BIAFRA is  settled will of Ndi-Igbo. The Might of BIAFRA Diaspora. Independent BIAFRA is the only way to maximise the full potential of Ndigbo- 'ambitious, educated, entrepreneurial, trade focused'. Photo: Google Images.

No doubt independent State of BIAFRA is the future of Ndi-Igbo. The recent quit notice by a group of northern youths is another 'shock tactis'(shock doctrine) to shift the vital conversation about the future of a country meandering on from crisis to crisis. It is the work of politicians who build their ambition on the blood of innocent people. A deliberately provocative action calculated to arouse anger and create more confusion, but it's not enough to stop the agitation of a people seeking for peaceful political and economic liberty.

The politicians should do more to embrace a new mission that fosters dialogue and harmony and begin the process of facilitating regional autonomy to enable various reqions take their destnies in their own hands to secure the future of their young people who are victims of Nigeria's dysfunctional politics.
 The powerful and the  ruthless sycophants who benefit from the way things are now feel threatened by the robust clamour for freedom. This is a dubious action calculated to stoke anger and confusion.


 The people of South-East Nigeria are subjected to social exclusion and massive poverty using a conquering technique. The people of BIAFRA are seeking for a new democratic reform that will balance the political and economic relationships within Nigeria in a peaceful manner.


If we truly want a more 'harmonious' society, we must embrace progressive values instead of fanning the flame of violence in the 21st century. This tactis is archaic, barbaric and will only strengthen the resolve of the people of BIAFRA to become independent and cease to be part of Nigeria.


Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur.

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Be Well-Informed as we hold the Government to account

"Everyday people can take action for a better future, helping to rebalance our view of the world and helping to spread the message about best practices to be replicated around the world. You too can be a part of this transformation"-Spark News.


There are conflicting and confusing messages out there. The powerful and their agents will always come up with a narrative to misinform. This is 21st -century where there are new ways of living and governing.


 It's very imperative we take control of the political narrative. A whole lot has gone wrong. Till date, the politicians are not much concerned about how it might be put right. To them it must be business as usual Power. Conspiracy and Corruption using cruelty and violence.


The Politicians have made a mockery of our democracy. "Politics is too serious a matter to be left to Politicians"-Charles de Gaulle.


 Stay well-informed. Read http://www.zurumnewsdigest.com/ and http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/ wherever you are.


Democracy needs well-informed citizens.  For News 247, news from trusted sources, the world's best media; Visit: http://zurumnews247.chayns.net/ticker.


 Anyone can make a difference in the world. Absolute freedom is the true essence of development.
"If we pursue the facts, the internet gives us an enviable power to convey them"-Timothy Snyder.

The remarkable truth is that we can collectively change the way things are. We must admit the flaws in our political system if we want to salvage our fragile democracy.


This is one way we can help bring change.




Uche Okeke.

Regional Autonomy: 'Redefining the future as Repairing the past'

NASS Adopts Confab Report For Constitution Review.  Photo: Google Images

"No one has clear view of the future, yet politics feel trapped in the past frustratingly partisan and often ignoring evidence"- Ian Birrell.




 Quite often our ignorance to these issues stops people asking the important questions about our fragile democracy- the abnormality, the imperfection of the system especially in the twenty-first century.


 We all know that the system is not working. The country inherited a political system designed for a ' colonial empire that no longer exists'. The result is an over -centralised, elitist political structure that serves the interest of few people and the people that helped them win elections.


 No doubt, there is decline in public confidence in the system that results in constant social protest and agitation for separation. There is growing distrust of the national government and the legislature, made worst in this dispensation with its dysfunctional politics of totalitarianism.


The country has failed to forge a new national identity, inclusiveness and resisting democratic reforms. The country as presently constituted is a political system built to serve 'vested interests' with no hope for ordinary people. There is widening inequality, great disconnect.


Now is the time to reform this obsolete system. We must not blame the BIAFRA Agitators who want to leave as there is limited prospects for social, cultural and economic advancement in this political arrangement.
Visit http://www.zurumnewsdigest.com/ to read more on our analysis of social issues in Nigeria.


 Regional Autonomy is overdue in Nigeria. It's the only way to reform this obsolete political system to address inclusiveness.
There is conclusive evidence about the benefits of Regional Autonomy as the regions stand to benefit more if they're allowed to take their destiny in their own hands for better governance, greater economic development, cultural, moral and social upliftment.


 Regional Autonomy is about the 'rebalancing of political and economic relationships' within Nigeria in order to meet the challenges of the 21st- century- a common President, common currency, free trade, etc. The regions will have 'their own parliament and domestic tax arrangements' and inclusive democracy that guarantees greater citizen engagement.


Regional Autonomy is about political and economic freedom, breaking the monopoly of ABUJA over the socio-economic and politics of the rest of the nation giving 'direct voice' to the people.


 Regional Autonomy is about new ways of living and governing for the twenty-first century which has proved very successful in most societies.


 Naturally, there must be resistance especially from the people that benefit from the status-quo.
 The idea of Ibo business investments in other parts of the country has nothing to do with the new political arrangement as those businesses will still thrive, paying due taxes to their host territories.


 There is absolutely no need for the Project Fear engineered by the politicians, as Regional Autonomy is simply 'a new mode of distinctive development' in the new era. We are now in the age of internet anyone can run businesses from from anywhere.


 The current agitation for independence is a result of continued marginalisation and doubtfulness of the Nigerian Project. The politicians and their agents- the sycophants must stop peddling the project fear and work with the National Assembly to usher in change.


This is twenty-first century where there is new ways of living and governing to ensure human flourishing, human security and human freedom. Ignoring the hard evidence is pointless.

The Acting President; Professor Osibanjo knows better than I do and should use his new position to build a new Nigeria on a shared value and shared identity to lift ordinary people out of poverty.

Professor Osibanjo must seize this moment to show his love for Nigeria by working with the National Assembly to bring a new era that will help the 'rebalancing of political and economic relationships within the Nigeria nation. This could be his legacy.


Now is the time to let his party, APC  and the rest of the country know that he deserves our trust to lead a new Nigeria. Again, APC manifesto promised us restructuring , now is the time to hold APC party to account..


 Regional Autonomy is the only way to end Nigeria's unending crisis, divisions, 'tedious tribalism', sycophancy, corruption, nepotism, autocracy, etc, which has raised so many questions about the future of Nigeria.


There is absolutely no reason for violence. We must unite for justice, fairness, freedom and peace and collectively defend freedom that comes with democracy.


Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation

Agitations for regional autonomy is not unlawful

Nigeria's acting President, Professor Osibanjo has recently declared agitations for  independence in the country as unlawful. This is wrong especially in a democracy. Photo: Google Images


 In the United Kingdom, there is a constant agitation for independence by Scotland and others, despite great devolution arrangement to protect the union. Nobody has ever threatened these regions with brutality or declaring their actions unlawful.


 It's very glaring that there is urgent need for reforms in Nigeria.
There is a great disconnect., no national identity. Ordinary people live independent of the government, and sycophants everywhere to do the bidding of their paymasters using great violence and cruelty. There is a lot of questions to be answered.


A political system that concentrates power in the hands of few people and a particular place is a not a good fit for the 21st century . It's pointless and must be resisted.


  "Nigerian citizens inhabiting regional states outside their ancestral territories experience political and economic disenfranchisement".- Rotimi Suberu.


 The acting President must not claim ignorant of this or is it because he is now the next President , thus,  the custodian of the status-quo.. 


"the pace of change itself is accelerating, the same rapid change occurs in politics."- Prof Warburg

This is 21st century where we must do more , move away from the status-quo and embrace the real change to free ordinary from economic and political bondage.

We cannot continue to gamble with the future prosperity and changes that drive the 21st century.


According to Mr Jefferson; Founder of the University of Virginia; "all laws and constitutions ought to sunset once a generation...Expecting a country 100 or 200 years later to live by the exact same rules is as much a folly as expecting a full grown man of six foot to six to wear the clothes he sported as a child"

'Biafra' and other ethnic minority agitations is a constant reminder that change may be hard, change is inevitable. These are grassroot activists pressing for common sense solutions.

We must listen to them ! Now is the time.....


The Vice President should listen to the Senate's advice to revisit the 2014 national conference report to help facilitate the restructuring of the country to ensure true federalism that fosters greater economic and social liberation.


We must remember that APC manifesto promised us restructuring so why is the Vice-President now trying to adopt the authoritarian style instead of promoting human rights and freedom that comes with democracy.    We are watching.... !

  According to Professor Wole Soyinka: "We are mixing up the arguement. When people say, especially former leaders and especially those who bear enormous responsibility for the question of breaking up or not breaking up, our roles in the first place, it always sounds hypocritical, dogmatic and dictatorial and that statement is that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable. Now that for me is a falsity. Anything is negotiable. The right of people to determine their future is what is non-negotiable.Most nations come to be through negotiations".



Uche Okeke.

Quit Notice : There are a lot of lessons to be learned

There are a lot of lessons to be learned from the quit notice to 'Ndi Igbo' in the North. The remarkable truth is that the politicians have to acknowledge that the system is flawed and not working for ordinary people. Photo: Facebook


There is great level of abnormality, the imperfection is beyond description. The time is ripe for the politicians to listen and adapt to the realities of governance and adopt a different style.


 I read an article on a newspaper where a commentator was lamenting how a state governor appointed his immediate family, friends and associates in key government positions. These are some of the reasons that fuel the rise of groups like IPOB, Niger-Delta, etc.
 A group in Niger-Delta has just issued an ultimatum to Northerners and Oil Companies in the region despite the nation-wide consultations by the acting President against hate speech.


 We welcome the U-turn by the senate advising the federal government to revisit the 2014 National conference and consider the report of that conference.


 More consultation on everything now is needed as the acting President is currently doing, a radical shift to the  prevalent authoritarian style. Again, the politicians must 'listen , learn and adopt a different style of governance.


Everyone now acknowledges the need for inclusiveness ,recognising that the country can thrive better if there is unity of purpose. Now is the time to address this urgent need for inclusiveness to avoid sparking further confrontation. Confrontation becomes inevitable where the status-quo reigns supreme.


Uche Okeke

We are certainly living through interesting time in history

New age brings a lot of challenges. Whether you agree with me or not, this is an interesting time.

There is a radical shift going on; new political ideologies ,new voting pattern, they say is 'smart voting'. There is this problem of mass unemployment, the challenges of technology to wipe out existing jobs, the challenges of technology for greater activism,  widening inequality, climate change, etc.

 Our government keeps bailing out the states to pay pensions, i wonder how long, the government will continue to do that. I learnt there is a new proposal to the senate regarding additional funds to help struggling states to pay pension arears not to invest for the future or build a 21st century tax-system. I don't know who will  repay these loans,..., they say there is over-supply of crude oil, .... lets stop here.

 Budget IT has just released a new statistics of struggling states. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has suggested merging of states and regional autonomy to drive productivity. The Biafrans have held a successful memorial day to remember their dead heroes, ....They said, there was no order from above to kill innocent civilians. This is a big change...
The Northern Youths wants the Igbos to leave the North, etc.

This is the right time to ask the fundamental questions about the future of Nigeria. The nation's political leaders need to discuss it. There is no point pretending that it must be business as usual, exhibiting bitter dislike of key questions about the future.

This is the time to face up to the enormous challenge of addressing the very important issue about the future of Nigeria.  ''The institutions we've got are often in need of updating and modernisation''- Professor Sir Paul Collier.

 Restructuring the country remains the only option to foster social and economic liberation.

Uche Okeke