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Last Updated: Friday, November 12th, 2004 HOME | Previous Page
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�We are committed to the South-South Presidency�
A declaration by and on behalf of the Peoples of the South-South geo-political zone of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria made at Calabar this 9th day of November 2004 at a meeting of the South-South Peoples Assembly comprising
the following:
(1) Political leaders of the zone including governors, past and present of the constituent states; elected representatives
at the National, State and Local Government levels, past and present; ministers and members of state executive
councils past and present; past military leaders, including former Chief of General Staff and other retired senior
military officers from the zone;
(2) Traditional rulers of the zone,
(3) Captains of industry from the zone,
(4) Professionals and the academia from the zone,
(5) Women and youths of the zone.
Whereas the peoples of the South-South geo-political zone, comprising the following: Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross
River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, desirous of achieving unity amongst ourselves
and pursuing the collective emancipation of our peoples, to guarantee true equity, unity, equality and justice
within a united Nigeria, are today here assembled.
Whereas the said representatives after due consultation and deliberation amongst ourselves, recognising that we
hold our destiny in our hands, solemnly declare as follows:
(1) That the peoples of the South-South have historically made outstanding contributions and profound sacrifices
to the continued preservation, economic sustenance, political stability and unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In particular we acknowledge
(a) our stabilising role during the 1966 crisis when we neutralised widespread agitation for the balkanisation
of the country, and
(b) our total human and material commitment to the successful prosecution of the war to keep Nigeria one.
(II) We have over the years contributed over 93 per cent of Nigeria�s export earnings, providing the economic lifeline
that has sustained the Nigerian Project thus far:
(iii) In spite of our enormous contributions above, we have suffered great injustice and deprivation within the
Federal Republic of Nigeria. The creation of states, local governments and constituencies which are units for the
distribution of funds exploited from our zone were done in a manner designed to ensure the perpetual subjugation
of the peoples of the zone. As our zone continues to suffer from massive exploitation, environmental degradation,
economic stagnation and social unrest, the country shows great insensitivity to the cries of our people. Although
we have overwhelmingly supported every ruler of our country (elected or appointed), we have never received reciprocal
consideration.
(iv) The Derivation Principle in revenue allocation was consistently reduced from 50 per cent to nothing, then
to 1.5 per cent before the present 13 per cent obtained on the blood of our people. Even the 13 per cent has never
been faithfully and fully implemented. Worse still, it is now being contested by our fellow Nigerians. Our people
must be allowed to find a home in Nigeria. We demand that we be allowed to participate in Nigeria as equal partners
and major contributors to her destiny.
Premised on the foregoing, we the peoples of the South-South in full Assembly to ensure for our peoples a fair
deal in a just and equitable society hereby commit ourselves irrevocably to the attainment of the following objectives
within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
1. A true federation in which fiscal federalism is fully implemented with equality for all federating units and
a derivation principle of revenue sharing at the post independence level of not less than 50 per cent.
2. We object to the ceding of any part of our zone to any other country or zone. In particular, we reject the decision
to cede Bakassi Local Government Area to the Camerouns without a plebiscite to determine the wishes of the indigenes.
3. While we concede the rights of all Nigerians to approach the courts for the determination of their rights, we
condemn in its totality the present suit by some governors challenging the recent abrogation of the onshore/offshore
dichotomy. We consider the suit offensive, insensitive, vexatious and one more grand design to humiliate and further
deprive our zone economically. It shows lack of appreciation of the contributions of our zone to the development
of the country.
4. We call for the immediate withdrawal of this action. Where they fail to do so, we direct all governments and
peoples of the zone to contest it vigorously.
5. We wholeheartedly commit ourselves to the pursuit of a South-South President for the Federal Republic of Nigeria
come 2007. We have supported every other zone to occupy and hold the presidency. We believe that the time has now
come for Nigeria to allow a Nigerian citizen from the South-South to occupy for the first time in our history the
exalted position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We urge all peoples of the South-South geo-political zone to commit themselves irrevocably to the attainment of
these objectives,
We thank our fellow Nigerians who believe in equity, justice and equality as the only realistic foundation for
the creation of an egalitarian society. Their commitment of support and solidarity with our legitimate aspirations
are generously acknowledged.
� Text of the communiqué by the South-South Peoples Assembly summit tagged � Calabar Declaration 2004� held
in Calabar on November 9, 2004 and read by Senator Anietie Okon, chairman, Publicity Committee
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