Dr. Chike Obidigbo, an elder statesman, has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate a meeting with ethnic nationalities to revisit the amalgamation document that united Nigeria, asserting that it expired in 2014.
In his New Year message titled “Criticality of Urgent Ethnic Nationalities’ Conference and National Referendum,” Obidigbo emphasized the need for a national dialogue, as he believes the forced merger of Nigeria’s ethnic groups by the British colonial rulers has led to ongoing political instability.
Obidigbo noted that the British colonialists did not seek the consent of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities before merging the various regions into one country.
He pointed out that, while the British left a provision in the 1914 agreement for a potential review after a century, it was clear that the amalgamation has not yielded the desired results.
“From 1914 to 2014, Nigeria’s political landscape has remained unstable, and the country has seen numerous forms of governance including parliamentary systems, military rule, and presidential democracy, yet it remains politically fractured,” Obidigbo stated.
The elder statesman proposed that Nigeria urgently needs a referendum to assess whether it should continue as a unified nation.
“Calls for separation from major ethnic groups like the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba have intensified. The time has come for ethnic nationalities to come together and resolve the way forward,” he said, adding that such a referendum could address the current restiveness in the country and prevent further violence, particularly in the north, middle-belt, and other regions.
Obidigbo also argued that the ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution have failed to address the root causes of Nigeria’s political instability, which he attributes to the lopsided political structure inherited from the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates.
Instead, he suggested that a national referendum could provide a more effective solution.
Looking ahead to 2025, Obidigbo emphasized the significance of the year, which will mark the second anniversary of the controversial 2023 general elections.
He called on President Tinubu to take the bold step of revisiting Nigeria’s political structure in a way that addresses the historical, cultural, and political imbalances that have contributed to the country’s instability.
He further criticized the way political power has been distributed in recent years, specifically referencing the South West’s control over the presidency following the 2023 elections.
Obidigbo expressed disappointment that while the South East played a significant role in the formation and support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was overlooked in favor of other regions in the party’s presidential race.
“The lack of respect for the contributions of the South East to the development of the PDP and the country is evident,” Obidigbo said.
He also lamented the lack of unity and political leadership within the South East, with many politicians failing to prioritize the collective good of the region.
“The political leadership in the South East must learn to put aside personal interests and focus on the greater good of the people,” he added.
Obidigbo also expressed concern over the delay in the takeoff of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which he believes could have been a significant development project for the region.
He noted that political infighting within the region had delayed the screening of SEDC members and hindered progress.
Obidigbo reiterated the need for urgent national reconciliation and restructuring, stressing that only through honest dialogue and a national referendum could Nigeria move forward as a stable and united nation.
