GOVERNMENT CLASS WITH MR ALABELEWE BENJAMIN

MINORITY ISSUES AND STATE CREATION IN NIGERIA​

GOVERNMENT CLASS WITH MR ALABELEWE BENJAMIN

​

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​MINORITY  ISSUES AND THEIR CREATION OF STATE

INTER ETHNIC RIVALRY AND ISSUES OF SECESSION

Ethnicity has been one of the regular feature of the third world societies. Africa, has had more than lion share in ethnic-induced wars and violence.

The issue of ethnic has become the most viable factor which explains  the social reality of poet-colonial Africa.

During colonisation of Africa people, colonialists lumped Africans together  without minding the diversity in the people’s culture.  And this has been the root cause of the crisis in Africa.​

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

             ETHNIC CONFLICT CHALLENGE IN NIGERIA​

The colonial legacy of three separate administrations (closely resembling three dominant ethnic groupings), is a major obstacle to national unity, because mobilization continues to take place along ethnic line.

1. For decade after independence-ethnic tensions were exploits through a divide and rule approach to power.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​2.Competition- for natural resources has fuelled tensions between the oil rich South and the predominantly agricultural North. The location of oil in certain ethnic areas and its management by post- independence governments have exacerbated ethnic tensions.

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

3.Religious differences- between the Christian South and Muslim North feature strongly in regional power struggles. Clashes over the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in the Northern Nigeria’s Zamfara State is an example.​

​​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​5. Ethnic based militant groups- formed to counter the abuses were accused of fuelling ethnic violence. 

                    PROBLEMS OF SECESSION IN NIGERIA

1. The North openly threatened secession after 1953 self-government motion in the House of Representatives. In 1960, the North again threatened to secede if it was not guaranteed half the seats in the federal parliament.

2. In May 1967, the former Eastern region of Nigeria formerly seceded from Nigeria declaring that part of the country,’Republic of Biafra’. To most people, that is, the extent of the history of secession in Nigeria. It was not a mere threat. 

By Benjamin Alabelewe

The Yoruba, of the Western region were divided. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, hither to, their popular leader has said and apparently confirmed it after Biafra’s secession, that the West would not wish to remain in a truncated federation. 

Till date, the manipulation of secession is still going on in Nigeria. The power brokers and rulers of Nigeria use and quote the experience of Biafra Secession to scare people into submission.​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​MEASURES TO AVOID SECESSION IN NIGERIA

1. TRUE FEDERALISM: There is need for true federalism where the state will have the power to resource control.

2. ETHNICITY FACTOR: Every Nugerian irrespective of one’s ethnic background should be free to belong in any part of the country where he or she wishes to live and work. He should be free to make such a place his permanent home, without segregation.

   ​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​3. CONFAB: A constitutional conference should be constituted where delegates from different parts of the country will converge to discuss a way forward for Nigeria.

4.APPOINTMENTS: all political appointments should be made to promote unity in diversity into reality.

5.UNITY IN DIVERSITY: Our political leaders should be able to translate unity in diversity into reality.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​6. NO DISCRIMINATION: There should be no discrimination on the basis of language, education, religion, ethnic affinity.

MINORITY ISSUES AND THE CREATION OF STATE

There are about  374 ethnic groups in Nigeria and the groups are divided into two- the majority and minority ethnic groups.

1. The major ethnic groups are: 

1. The Yorubas

2. The Igbos  

3. The Hausa/Fulani

Some of the minority groups are: Tiv, Efik, Igala, Idoma, Agatu, Nupe, Ebira, Urhobo, Ibibio, Jukun, Itsekiri, Isan, Ijaw, Isoko etc.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​REASONS FOR THE DEMAND FOR MORE STATES

1. Creation of  state by various Nigerian governments whether civilian or military.

2. Creation of new minorties

3. Denial of employment 

4. No promotion opportunities

5. No development projects

6. Expulsion of nationals (minority)

7. The use of physical force.

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​RECOMMENDATION OF WILLINK’S COMMISSION

1. Creation of more states cannot solve the problems of the minorities in the country.

2. There should be a strong united police force under federal authorities.

3. Non-Muslims in the North, not ready to be tried under Muslim laws should have the option of facing trial in non-Muslim court.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​4. Fundamental human rights should be entrenched in the constitution 

5. There should be annual reports for the minority in the House of Representatives and other appropriated Regional Houses.​

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

SOLUTIONS TO MINORITY PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA​

1. UNITED Nations minorities in its article 1 provides that state should protect their existence.

2. There should be respect and adherence to the laws of the land. The law should be above all irrespective of ones political or economic status.

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​3.This structure and the principles governing it should be sustained.

4.The rights of the people should be entrenched in the constitution.

5.True federalism should be sustained.​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​6.  Regional governments to be monitored by minority areas  with special council for both Calabar and Mid-West.

7. Special development board for Niger-Delta areas to be established.

8. Financial and other responsibilities should be shared equally by the federal and regional governments. Niger-Delta should be declared a special area.

9. The judiciary should remain independent and impartial in its interpretation of the constitution. 

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​ABURI ACCORD

Aburi Accord was held between 4 and 5 January 1967. Fourteen delegates comprising the Federal Government of Nigeria (The Supreme Military Council) and Eastern region leaders attended the meeting.  It was chaired by Lt.-General Joseph Arthur Ankrah (Chairman of the Ghana National Liberation Council )

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​The meeting was billed to be the last chance of preventing all out war.The Aburi conference lasted for two days. It seemed as if all the other members of the council from Nigeria had come to meet and reconcile with Lt.-Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu. It is important to note that nearly all the proposals put forward by Lt.-Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu were adopted unanimously. 

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​DETAILS OF THE ABURI ACCORD

 1. Members agree that the legislative and executive authority of the Federal Military Government should remain in the Supreme Military Council, to which any decision affecting the whole country shall be referred for determination provided that where it is possible for a meeting to be held the matter requiring determination must be referred to military governors for their comment and concurrence.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​2. Specifically, the council agreed that appointments to senior ranks in the police, diplomatic, and consular services as well as appointment to superscale posts in the federal civil service and the equivalent posts in the statutory corporation must be approved by the Supreme Military Council.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​3. The regional members felt that all the decrees passed since January 15, 1966, and which detracted from previous powers and positions of regional governments, should be repealed if mutual confidence is to be restored. 

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​RESOLUTION OF THE DELEGATES

1. The council collectively avowed not to use force to settle the Nigerian crisis.

2. They agreed to a law of collective responsibility which vested all powers of the Federal Military Government (FMG) in the Supreme Military Council, making a unanimous concurrence imperative. 

3. It was agreed that the Head of the Federal Military Government should assume the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria .

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​In conclusion, the atmosphere of the meeting was very cordial. However, Ojukwu did not participate in the humour side of the conference. 

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that the resolutions of the meeting should be embodied in a Decree to be issued by Lagos with the concurrence of the military Governors. This led to the promulgated Decree No. 8 of March 17, 1967.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​DELEGATES TO ABURI CONFERENCE IN EASTERN GHANA

• The following are the delegates at the Aburi Conference:

• Chairman of the Ghana National Liberation Council -Lt.-General J.A. Ankrah-Chairman

• Lt.-Col. Yakubu Gowon- Head of State

• Lt.-Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu - Governor Eastern Region

• Major Mobolaji Johnson - Governor Lagos State

• Lt.-Col. Hassan Katsina - Governor Northern Region

• Lt.-Col. David Ejoor - Governor Mid-Western Region

• Commodore Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey - Vice President of Nigeria

• Colonel Robert Adebayo - Governor Western Region

• Alhaji Kam Selem

• Mr. T. Omo-Bare

• Others as follows:

• N. Akpan Secretary to the Military Governor-East

• Alhaji Ali Akilu Secretary to the Military Governor-North

• D. Lawani Under Secretary, Military Governor's Office-Mid-West.

• P. Odumosu Secretary to the Military Governor-West

• S. Akenzua (who later became the Oba of Benin - Erediauwa 

By Benjamin Alabelewe

DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

Prior to the Second World War, there were two political parties that were established. The Nigeria National DEMOCRARIC Party (NNDP) was established in 1923 through the Hugh Clifford constitution and the second party was the Lagos Youth Movement established in 1935 and later changed to the Nigerian Youth Movement.​

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​Other political parties that were established in Nigeria came after the WW2. The first nationalist  political party established was National Council of Nigeria and Camerouns   (NCNC). It was established in 1944. Other political parties were  the Northern People’s Congress  1951, Action Group  1951 . 

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​The parties formed after the WWII in Nigeria could be grouped into major and minor political parties.

The major political parties were the NCNC, NPC and AG.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​The minor political parties were the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC), Dynamic Party  (DP), Bornu Youth Movement (BYM) etc.  

By Benjamin Alabelewe

NIGERIAN NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY  (NNDP)

The Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP) was formed in 1923 and under the leadership of Sir Herbert Macaulay, popularly referred to  as “Father of Nigerian Nationalism”. NNDP won all the three seats in Lagos into the Legislative Council in the elections of  1923, 1928 and 1933. it also won the  elections into the Lagos Town Council when the elective principle was introduced. ​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​ACHIEVEMENTS OF NNDP

1. The party won the four seats in the legislative council and the Lagos Town Council.

2. The party founded the Lagos Daily News founded by Herbert Macaulay.

3. NNDP was the first political party established in Nigeria.

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​                       NIGERIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

NYM was formed in 1935 and featured characters like; Ernest Ikoli, Samuel Akinsanya and Dr. C.V. Vaughan. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, H.O. Davies and Samuel Akinola later joined. The movement competed with NNDP and won in 1938. By the composition of the NYM we are apt to say that the movement had a national outlook.

AIMS  AND OBJECTIVES

1. To work towards the unity of Nigeria 

2. To work towards the attainment of self-rule.​

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​CONTRIBUTIONS OF NIGERIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

1. It worked to promote national unity

2. It could further be said that this movement brought modern nationalism to Nigeria.

3. It won all legislative seats allocated to Lagos in the legislative council

4. NYM set the machinery for a political independence of Nigeria. 

5. It was the first political party that had a national outlook  in the composition of members.​

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NIGERIA AND THE CAMEROUNS (NCNC)

The NCNC was formed in 1944. NCNC was the first nationalist party formed after the Second World War. Before his death, Sir Herbert Macaulay was the founder and first president of the NCNC at inception while the General Secretary was Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. After the demise of the Sir Herbert Macaulay on 7th  May 1946, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe became the president.​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​In 1959 when the people of Southern Cameroun opted for French Cameroun through a referendum, they left Nigeria and the NCNC was changed to National Council Nigerian Citizen (NCNC).

By Benjamin Alabelewe

​AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NCNC

1. Political platform

2. Political education

3. To provide the members with a medium of expression

4. The British mandate 

5. To organise and collaborate effectively 

6. To extend democratic principles

​

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe

By Benjamin Alabelewe