Look at them, spent old people presiding over the carcass of their ruination! Where are the youths? They should chase after these geritol addicts and chase them off the square. Stupid people! These people have no shame at all. Leaders my foot! The hypocrisy is galling!
Meet our "Yoruba leaders." Their kids live in America, speak Spanish and attend Chinese school on Sunday! Only awon olodo will die for them!
Meet our "Yoruba leaders." Their kids live in America, speak Spanish and attend Chinese school on Sunday! Only awon olodo will die for them!
And that's the other thing, this "democracy" has produced the shallowest, most visionless, most anti-intellectual regime Nigeria has ever had. This is ironic, sad even, given that it's led by PhDs, some of them from Ivy-league schools. They confirm the sage African proverb of old: Nor be by Harvard person dey take enter Aso Rock! SMH.
Hell, I am so ticked off by Nigeria right now!!!
- Ikhide
--South-West/Yoruba Delegates to the Conference Announced So Far:Ekiti Delegation:(1) Prof Akin Oyebode, International Law expert,(2) Prof (Mrs) Bisi Aina, Dean Faculty of Humanities & Social Science, OAU;(3) Rev'd Felix Ajakaye , Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese,(4) Chief Oladeji Fasuan (Leader of the delegation) , elder statesman and chairman of defunct Movement for Ekiti State Creation;(5) Dr Kunle Olajide, Secretary, Yoruba Unity Group, and(6) HRM, Oba Idowu Adamo Babalola of Itapa, Chairman, Ekiti State Council of traditional rulersProf Oyebode, Prof Aina and Bishop Ajakaye are to represent Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South senatorial districts respectively. Chief Fasuan, is a nominee for the Elder Statesman slot. Dr Olajide and Oba Adamo Babalola are the state's representatives for the two slots allocated to Ekiti out of the 15 slots to represent Ethnic Nationalities/ Groups in the zone.Lagos Delegation:
Fashola (middle); Okunnu (third left); Sasore (third right); Ayeni (second right); Mrs. Basorun; Oluwa (second left) and Samuel (left).
(1) Alhaji Femi Okunnu, a former federal commissioner for works under General Yakubu Gowon administration (leader of the delegation);(2) former Attorney General of Lagos State Mr. Olasupo Sasore;(3) Mrs. Funmilayo Oshinowo-Bashorun;(4) a former special adviser on education to ex-governor Bola Tinubu, Professor Tunde Samuel;(5) a member of Lagos white cap chiefs, Prince Rabiu Oluwa; and(6) Mr. Waheed Ayeni.Ogun Delegation:
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (4th right) flanked by the state's delegates to the National Conference, including Chief Olaniwun Ajayi (4th left); Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (3rd right) Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle (3rd left), Representative of the South West Senator \s Forum, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo (2nd right), Prof. (Mrs.) Titi Filani ( 2nd left), Pastor Tunde Bakare (right) and Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi (left).
(1) Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly,(2) Mr Fola Adeola, banker and former APC Vice-Presidential Candidate;(3) Sen. Biyi Durojaiye (leader of the Delegation),(4) the Olu of Ilaro,Oba Kehinde Olugbenle,(5) Prof Titi Filani and(6) Mr Bisi Adegbuyi.
In addition, Amosun said South-West states appointed(7) Sen. Iyabo Anisulowo, to represent the region's senators,while the Presidency appointed,
(8) Mr Olaniwun Ajayi, as one of the 37 elder statesmen.Osun Delegation(1) General Alani Akinrinade, a former Chief of General Staff and elder statesman (leader of the delegation)(2) Professor Mojeed Alabi, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly(3) Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy(4) Mr. Femi Akande, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence(5) Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji, former Commissioner for Justice in the State,(6) Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, Director General of Development Agenda for Western Nigerian Commission, and(7) Mrs. Bola Ogunrinade, a community leaderMore to come......._________________________________________________________________YORUBA AGENDAFOR THE2014 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
GENERAL OBSERVATIONSPREAMBLE:In the last two decades, most especially since 1991, the Yoruba along with some other patriotic Nigerians have been in the vanguard of the demand for a Sovereign National Conference. The Yoruba have clamoured for such a conference as an opportunity to review the Nigerian Project and fashion out a Federal and Democratic structure within the context of a United Federal Republic of Nigeria. They have consistently sought a democratic process built around such fundamental values as:1. Sovereignty of the people2. Respect for human rights3. Equal political, economic and social opportunities for all citizens
4. Equity, justice and fair play as ethical basis of politics and national unity5. Transparency and accountability as the basis of governance.The Yoruba have always believed that only a negotiated understanding of the Nigerian Project among the representative leaders of the entire population can ensure lasting peace, guarantee a durable and sustainable democracy and establish an enduring Federation that rests on the genuine support/cooperation of the people.The proposed National Conference must therefore be perceived and pursued as an opportunity for a National dialogue that is consistent with the persistent demand of the Yoruba.For this reason, the proposed Conference offers the opportunity for Yoruba delegates to present their issues for National discourse, understanding and negotiation.Delegates must discuss the minimum constitutional provisions to which the Yoruba are committed while recognizing that all negotiations must be based on the principle of mutual concession, politeness, amity and courtesy.The South West Obas and leaders set up the Yoruba Agenda committee to collate all existing Yoruba positions since 1994 to date, harmonize the papers and prepare Yoruba Agenda for the 2014 National Conference.This document is a summary of the reports.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS1.Whereas the need for a new Constitution and the restructuring of Nigeria Polity has always been a concern and by an overwhelming majority of Nigerian people;2.Whereas the Yoruba intend to fully utilize the Conference as a platform for the actualization of their agenda for a new Nigeria, especially as we have just arrived at the expiration of the Amalgamation of 1914 mistake;3.Whereas the Yoruba will effectively communicate to all other ethnic nationalities an understanding of the aims and objectives of THE YORUBA PEOPLE in all the following three contexts of:
(i) A YORUBA PEOPLE (Cultural/Language Homogeneity)(ii) A YORUBA REGION (States/Geographic Zone) and,(iii)A YORUBA NATION (A shared Vision)
4.Whereas the Yoruba will strategically collaborate and consult broadly with all other ethnic nationalities with a view to building national cohesion and consolidate on our mutual beneficial interests;5.Whereas the Yoruba will adopt a consensus building, moderation and mediation role in a process coordinated and effectively empowered by YORUBA ASSEMBLY FOR 2014 NATIONAL CONFERENCE;6.Whereas the Yoruba will agitate for Regional Autonomy for South West within a united Nigeria federation;7.Whereas the Yoruba hope to achieve an adoption of all decisions arrived consensually at the proposed National Conference in a form that will be consistent with the Yoruba Agenda.NOW, THEREFORE:The YORUBA PEOPLE OF NIGERIA hereby makes the following Major proposals:1.A new Nigeria consisting of a Central Union/Federal Government and six regional governments (based on the current six geo-political zones – including all other Yoruba outside the imposed artificial boundaries, that is to say, in Edo, Delta, Kogi and Kwara) operating federal and regional constitutions respectively.2.A negotiated legislative Exclusive, Concurrent and Residual List.3.The West minister model of parliamentary government4.That the right to self determination on and up to the right to secede.5.A just and equitable taxation system that will make the federating units equal and coordinating at the federal level in order to eliminate the current rentier syndrome.SPECIFIC ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED AT THE PROPOSED NATIONAL CONFERENCEA. NEW PEOPLES' CONSTITUTIONThe following main points capture most of the Yoruba interest in the new constitution.1.The structure of the federation2.The scope and limits of the powers of the central government, vis-à-vis the federating units3.The form of government4.Taxation system that conforms to Fiscal Federalism5.Police/Policing in Nigeria6.The structure of the Courts including the need to create a Constitutional Court7.Status of the Federal capital8.Status of Lagos10.Composition of the all National Commissions, Boards, Parastatals, Departments and Agencies11.Immunity of certain public officers from prosecution12.Whether or not pensions should be in the Exclusive Legislative List13.The role of Traditional RulersThe forgoing identified issues are addressed below by making recommendations and proffering reasons for same.B.The Yoruba position on the Nigerian project from the first republic has been consistent. All previous papers advocate True Federalism, Regionalism with Fiscal Federalism in varying degrees.ISSUE 1POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIAWe conceive the Yoruba in the new Nigeria as a Federation (known and called Odua/Yoruba Federation of six federating states) in a Central Union Federal Republic of Nigeria. Any region may create states as allowed by the regional constitution without reference to any other regions or center. The other five geo-political zones may adopt this if they so desire. The regional constitution will allocate functions to the three tiers of government in the Yoruba federation or region. States will be responsible for creating local government councils. However, any ethnic group or groups within a state wishing to align with any other state or to belong to a new region shall be allowed to do so if confirmed in a plebiscite by the affected people.ISSUE 2THE SCOPE AND LIMITS OF THE POWERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT VIS-À-VIS THE FEDERATING UNITS:RECOMMENDATIONS:A negotiated legislative Exclusive, Concurrent and Residual List.EXCLUSIVE LEGISLATIVE LIST1. Accounts of the government of the central/unit and of offices, courts and authorities thereof, including audit of those accounts2. Arms ammunition and explosives3. Aviation, including airports, safety of aircraft and carriage of passengers and goods by air4. Award of National Honors decoration etc5. Citizenship, naturalization and aliens6. Copyright, patients, trademarks, trade or business names industrial designs and merchandise marks7. Customs duties8. Currency, coinage and legal tender9. Defence excepting deployment, command territorial control, central military council (Detail by military experts)10. Deportation of persons who are not citizens of Nigeria11. Diplomatic and consular representative excepting regional consular representatives12. Exchange control13. External affairs14. Extradition15. Elections: Central elections only16. Immigration into and Emigration from Nigeria17. Implementation of treaties relating to matters on this list18. Legal proceedings between regional governments or between the government of the federation and government of any region or any other authority or person19. Maritime shipping and navigation, including(a) Shipping and navigation on tidal waters(b) Shipping and navigation on the river Niger and its effluents and on any such other inland waterways as may be designed by the national assembly to be international waterways or be an inter-regional water way.20. Census excepting the census conducted by the regional government.21. Military army, navy and air force including any other branch of the armed forces of the federation22. Nuclear energy23. Pension of retired central unit public civil officers24. Petroleum profit tax and other fees rates and levies on mines and minerals (See resource control. Issue 4). All minerals royalty 100% to owner state as representing right. PPT to be shared as in proprietary issue25. Police and other government security services establish to enforce federal laws and inter state crimes26. Prisons excepting regional prisonsISSUE 3THE FORM OF GOVERNMENTRecommendations:We recommend the Westminster model of Parliamentary system of Government. Consequently at the federal level, there would be the position of a Ceremonial president and a Prime minister who shall be the head of government bus iness. At the regional level, we also recommend a parliamentary system. There will be a government at the regional level as prescribed by the regional constitution. At the state level, there would be the positions of the governor and the deputy governor. The governor will be the head of government business.We recommend a unicameral legislature at the center. Details of the regional legislature shall be clearly set out in the regional constitution. However, we believe the legislators shall function on part-time basisISSUE 4TAXATION SYSTEM/FISCAL FEDERALISMRecommendationsSince 1994, The Yoruba have always advocated the ideal resource management system for a true federation i.e. Fiscal Federalism/Resource Control, a system whereby a substantial part of the proceeds accruable from every region will be domiciled in the region and an agreed percentage contributed to the center by the federating regions for the responsibility of the Federal government. However, as a result of gross mismanagement of the country, its human and natural resources, the ideal which is resource control cannot evolve by fiat, as most natural resources of Nigeria, except Oil and Gas, have been neglected and underdeveloped over the years.We are therefore recommending a transition period of not less than ten years for maintenance of status quo to allow for allocation of an agreed percentage of national revenue to the regions to enable them develop and exploit resources within the region in the hope that at the expiration of the transition period full resource control may be adopted.ISSUE 5REVENUE ALLOCATION/FISCAL FEDERALISMRecommendations***[Petroleum Profit Tax should be levied and collected by the federal government. 50% of Petroleum Profit Tax for the central/federal government, 13% for the oil producing regions and 37% to be shared by other regions.]***ISSUE 6PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY (LAW ENFORCEMENT)Recommendation:The Yoruba region desires full participation in National security as a whole. In this regard, law enforcement and maintenance of public order in the region should be on the residual list, with the provision that States can ask for assistance from the Federal border/highway police system and even the federal armed forces in case of any emergency.The connection between language/culture and criminality is recognized worldwide. Therefore, regional forces both military and police (civil) must consist largely of indigenes of that region. It is illogical to have a state legislature that has the power to make laws but not the power to enforce such laws, as it exists in the current constitution. Any attempt to use a central police system to enforce laws and keep order in a multi-ethnic nation-state leads, as it has done since 1966, to inefficiency, ineffectiveness and insensitivity to citizens' cultural responsibilities. Terms of cooperation between the federal and the regional police will be clearly defined in the constitution.ISSUE 7STRUCTURE OF COURTSRecommendation:There should be at the Federal level, the Supreme Court, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court. The Federal High Court should have exclusive original jurisdictions over matters in the exclusive legislative list. Appeal will lie from the Federal High Court to the Federal Court of Appeal and finally at the Supreme Court.There should be established Constitutional Court to have jurisdiction over inter government cases and petitions arising from elections of the National Assembly. Appeal should lie from Constitutional Court to the Federal Supreme Court.At the regional level, there shall be Magistrate, Customary, Area and Sharia Courts.Regional courts are to exercise prescribed jurisdiction over residual matters.
Appeal shall lie from Magistrate, customary, Area and Sharia Courts to their Regional Courts of Appeal which shall have final jurisdiction.The Regional Supreme Court of Appeal should be the final Court in the regions except in cases involving murder, manslaughter and inter-Regional causes where a further appeal shall lie to the Federal Supreme Court.The region shall have the power to establish election tribunals, which shall have jurisdiction over election petitions arising from election into political offices within the Region. Appeal shall lie from election tribunals to the Regional Court of Appeal and the decision of the Region Court of Appeal Court shall be final over such matter.ISSUE 8ELECTORAL BODIES:All elections shall be organized and conducted by Regional/Zonal Electoral Commission in the Regions. These Electoral Commissions shall be composed of equal representatives of contesting Political Parties, Organized Bodies such as NLC, NBA, NMA, NWS, and Religious Bodies as must be nominated by each Body.ISSUE 9A NEW CONSTITUTIONRecommendationsIn view of the far reaching fundamentals reforms advocated in this Agenda i.e. Structure of the Federation, System of Government, Security, Defence e.t.c. the resolutions and conclusions of the Conference shall lead to an autochthonous Constitution, that is a home-grown and all inclusive draft that shall only be submitted to the Nigerian electorate voting in a Referendum.ISSUE 10STATUS OF THE FEDERAL CAPITALRecommendations:Abuja should remain the federal capital territory with all accoutrements of federal institutions retained in the territory.However, Abuja should not be accorded the status of a region or a federating unit. Constitutional guarantees should be provided in the constitution to ensure equality of all Nigerians and equity in access to opportunities in the Federal Capital Territory.ISSUE 11STATUS OF LAGOSRecommendation:Lagos can be rightly described as mini Nigeria because of the roles it had played in the past and continuous to play now and in the future. Consequently, in view of the enormous pressure on the infrastructure of Lagos and because of the fact that Lagos will continue to be the economic nerve centre of Nigeria as well as the West African sub-Region, there shall be an appropriate budgetary provision that is part of the First Line Charge in the Federation Account.ISSUE 13COMPOSITION OF THE ALL NATIONAL COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, PARASTATALS, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.Recommendation:As shall be discussed and resolved at the Conference.ISSUE 14IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PUBLIC OFFICERS FROM PROSECUTIONRecommendations:The immunity of the President, Prime Minister, and regional ceremonial head, Regional Premier, Governors and Deputy Governors, from court processes during their tenure of office should be circumscribed and made only to cover civil processes. These public officers should be made amenable to court processes on charges bordering on commission of crimes.Where a prima facie criminal case has been established against a holder of any of these offices by a Court of competent jurisdiction, such officer shall vacate office until the proceedings is concluded. His or her vice shall hold the position in acting capacity until the matter is concluded.ISSUE 15WHETHER OR NOT PENSIONS SHOULD BE IN THE EXCLUSIVE LEGISLATIVE LISTRecommendations:Pension matters should be split between the Federal Government and the Regions. Pension in the list should be qualified to appertain only to persons who retired from employment of the federal government. Regional governments must have exclusive jurisdiction over the pension matters of persons who retired from the services of the regions.ISSUE 16EQUAL REPRESENTATIONRecommendationRepresentation in the Central Union Government shall be equal on zonal basis. It is recommended that, at the National Conference, the issues of whether or not there shall be proportional representation in government should be resolved.ISSUE 17ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERSRecommendations:The roles of traditional rulers in politics remain informal. Each Region, State and Local Governments may by law establish their respective Traditional Rulers 'Council. The role of the Councils may be basically advisory to their respective authorities.______________________________________________________________
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