CONVERNER of the Niger Delta Self -Determination Movement, Anni-kio Briggs, says the unity of Nigeria and its possible break-up should be discussed by stakeholders before the 2019 general elections.
Annkio Briggs Briggs also lamented that the region where oil was produced in the country had suffered neglect and deprivation. She spoke as a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, called on the authorities in the country to entrench the principles of federalism.
Briggs, one of the panelists during the celebration of Feast of Barracuda, an annual event organised by the National Association of Seadogs, NAS, Zuma Deck, Abuja, held under the theme, ‘Towards building a great nation: Interrogating the need for true federalism”, urged the Federal Government to not only listen to the agitations from different groups in the country, but also do something about it.
The Niger Delta activist regretted that the federal character principle had been abused by those in authority, with a particular region being favored. Continuing, she said, “Let us restructure Nigeria. The unity and break-up of Nigeria should be discussed and it must have a time-frame. We cannot be sleeping and hoping for 2019 to conduct another general elections when things are not right.”
Also speaking, the Zuma Deck President of NAS, Samuel Idiagbon Abhulimen, said the theme of the event, was intended to capture the prevailing situation in the country. Another panelist, Agunloye, said it was regrettable that the nation’s leaders refused to address the socio-political and economic challenges confronting the country.
Ayokunke Fagbemi, Executive Director, Centre for Peace Building and Social Economic Development, said at the event that poor Nigerians were no longer concerned about who was in government but how to get three square meals to eat daily, pay children’s school fees and how to survive the day.
