Daily Independent Online.
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Wednesday, July 07, 2004.
No basis for unity in Nigeria without true federalism -
Ejoor
By Uwakwe Abugu
Bureau
Chief,
Warri
The prevailing insecurity across the
country, which is threatening the existence of the nation, would not abate
unless true federalism as a system of governance was wholly accepted by
operators of the present democratic dispensation, Major Gen. David Ejoor (rtd)
has said.
Ejoor who was the first military governor
of the Mid-West Region after the fall of the First Republic contended that a
careful appraisal of the nation’s journey since independence would reveal
that insecurity has always emanated from agitations over certain indices that
questioned the basis of unity.
“Until the government brings back
proper federalism so that all stakeholders will be involved in running of the
government, you can’t stop the on-going insecurity in the country.
“This rigid type of government will
not stop it because people will fight for their rights; if you infringe on
their rights they will continue to fight, “ said Ejoor on Delta Rainbow
Television programme, Good Morning Delta.
According to Ejoor, the present federal
urgency, ensure that a radical revision of the constitution, which he described
as a military constitution, be conducted.
Why advising that Nigeria should revise its
present constitution, “Which is actually not a constitution for a
democracy so that a constitution that will bring about true federalism will be
given to Nigerians,” Ejoor said, “Once that is done, every area
will be performing their economic activities to give meaning to federalism but
when they know that whatever is coming from their land you are taking away,
that is where the problem begins.”
