Chidi Samuel
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation on Monday called for a review of Nigeria’s democratic structure, demanding regional government and a review of the nation’s constitution.
The group made the call at the Summit on restructuring which took place in Awka, the Anambra State Capital.
In a communique read by the former governor of Nigeria’s central bank, Charles Soludo, Ohaneze also called for the enthronement of the principles of equity and fairness to help Nigeria achieve all-round development and solve its political and economic challenges.
The group also a proposed single six-year term for the president, rotational presidency, five vice presidential seats for equal representation, resource control by states, removal of the state of origin clause and the creation of a merit and equal opportunities commission to replace the federal character commission.
Earlier in his address, John Nwodo, Ohaneze president called for equality in the affairs of Nigeria.
Nwodo said, “It is driven the by majority of our people. The planning and strategic committee is derived from all strata of the Igbo society. All states, all segments, and all opinion and thoughts. We went on town hall meetings and derived the opinion and views of the majority of our people.
“You can say that we propelled this but it is not just us that did it, it is the people that did it.”
The Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, the Niger Delta, and the north-central groups also attended the event.