Former Secretary-General of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Mr. Ayo Opadokun has bemoaned the marginalization of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, Njenje Media News reports.
Opadokun made this known at a National Dialogue Roundtable organized by Ndigbo Lagos on the “State Of The Nation”. He opined that for Nigeria to return to the path of glory, it must return to the constitution it had before it secured independence in 1960.
In his words:
“I have a country where the federal constitution was negotiated by ethnic nationalities and their leaders upon which we secured our independence. It was on that constitution that we were admitted to the United Nations Organization. And we submitted to the articles of the human rights convention of 1948 that state; “every nationality is entitled to self-determination.” African charter on people’s rights confirms that also. The 1978 – 79 confirmation at Addis Ababa, is another major matter. We must return to the constitution of which we secured independence. After that, everything will fall into their places because you will now do what surgical operation that needed to be done, in regards to all the atrocities that Nigerian military has committed against the nation.”
On how the ethnic nationalities were marginalized, Opadikun went down the history lane when he said:
“The ethnic nationalities that have been marginalized, sidelined, and kept apart as if they are not part of what you call the Nigeria project. Will we be able to wipe off their disillusion and collaborate and sit down together in a meaningful way and state clearly what their demands are; and if it is the same then we work towards It?. But if we are not part of this nation any longer, then we must boldly call it a quit.
Prof Anya, under Comdr. Ebitu Ukiwe before the present civilian era and Dr. Pius Okigbo who had his own group came to Owo to discuss with the Yoruba nation. And Prof Ben Obumselu led that team but having done my investigation, I found out that Ukiwe’s group was widely represented, and he Invited and accommodated a lot of principalities in Igboland that constitute the Rivers, Cross-Rivers alike to make it a holistic one.”
“We succeeded in having a meeting and after the third meeting, we had a group called Council for Unity and Understanding. For the people that led the Igbo race, we had Ebonyi State making representations also. We must now reorganize that United Council of our people to say that those who have taken us for a ride and have decided, whether we like or not, to run us over and whatever you think must be made accountable. Reviving our economy or not, does not concern them, I can bet you. Nigeria will progress and succeed provided there are leaders from all sections of the country ready to face the challenges now. So, we must not expect to have any meaningful reaction without this.” he said.
