Southern professionals canvass regional autonomy

PROFESSIONAL groups in the southern part of the country, under the aegis of South-East, South-South and South-West Professionals, have stressed the need for a new federal structure that is hinged on regional autonomy.

They insisted that only true federalism, fiscal federalism and lean or less dominant central government should form the new terms and conditions that would define a new, greater and equitable Nigeria of the future.
The group made the call in a statement issued at the end of its strategic meeting in Lagos signed by Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr. Nick Idoko, Ify Anazonwu, Uzoma Eze, Prof. Pat Utomi, Nuhu Yakubu, Denzil Kentebe, Hannibal Uwaifo, Andy Wabali, Olawale Edun, Jimi Agbaje, Ibidolapo Balogun, Dapo Odojukan and Tunde Akinyele.
The coordinators further stressed that every indication shows that the Nigeria project is not working but rather experiencing an incipient tug-of-war that is marked by a gradual but unmistakable slide into a state of anarchy.
“There is an urgent need, therefore, for agreement on drastic restructuring and remapping of the country, which appears to be the only panacea to the current slide,” the statement reiterated.

Clarifying its position on regionalism, the group enumerated at least five of the potential benefits that could be derived from a regional structure as against the current structure, which is highly unstable for Nigeria, claiming that such benefits are aimed at creating a balanced, peaceful and prosperous nation.
To them, the proposed regional structure with express autonomy will lead to a balanced and true federation that will be more stable, stronger parts leading to a stronger whole, as the multiplication of federating units make them weak and fragile.
They said it would reduce the cost by eliminating unnecessary governance structures. Power at the centre becomes less attractive and political struggle for it, less acrimonious and less corrupt.
They said it would lead to regional aggregation of resources to empower regional economies, lead to overall growth of the national economy.
The group, which is currently engaged in wide consultations with critical stakeholders across the South- East, South-South and South-West geopolitical zones, has urged confab delegates from the three zones to close ranks and back the position of the leaders and peoples of the South-East, South-South and South-West zones for a federation based on regionalism, which is seen as the most viable option open to Nigerians in the light of contemporary realities.