The Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) has once again called for Nigeria to revert to a regional system of government, urging the National Assembly Committee responsible for reviewing the 1999 Constitution to prioritize this reform.
In a statement released on Sunday, OPC expressed its strong support for the growing movement across Nigeria, led by various ethnic groups, advocating for a return to the 1960 constitution, which featured a regional structure.
The Yoruba socio-cultural organization emphasized that the current system was not conducive to the progress of the nation, and reiterated its endorsement of the recent proposal by a coalition of ethnic nationalities in Kaduna, which called for a restructuring of Nigeria into reorganized regions.
OPC believes that a return to regionalism is the key to unlocking the country’s potential and ensuring sustainable development.
According to OPC, regionalism would allow regions to become self-sufficient and retain control over resources generated within their territories.
The organization proposed that under a regional system, each region would retain 70% of its generated revenue, sending only 30% to the federal government.
This, OPC argued, would foster peace, accelerate development, and enable Nigeria to reach its full potential.
OPC pointed to examples of successful regional systems in other multi-ethnic nations, such as Senegal and Gambia.
Senegal, with a population of around 17 million, operates with 14 regions, while Gambia, with a population of 2.8 million, has six regions.
These countries, OPC argued, demonstrate that regional autonomy leads to socio-political cohesion, unity, and rapid development.
The group also criticized the military’s decision to abolish the regional system in 1966, replacing it with a unitary system of government, which OPC believes has hindered Nigeria’s progress ever since.
It reiterated that the original regional structure, established in 1960, was a model that suited the country’s diverse needs and should be restored for Nigeria to achieve meaningful development.
OPC spokesperson Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin emphasized that the current review of the constitution represents a historic opportunity for Nigeria to correct its course.
He urged the National Assembly Committee on the Review of the Constitution to act with urgency and commitment, ensuring that the wishes of Nigerians for a return to regionalism are respected.
He concluded by calling on the committee members to consider the lasting impact of their decisions on the nation’s future, urging them to prioritize regionalism as the most viable solution for Nigeria’s progress.
The OPC also reaffirmed its support for the idea of a United Region of Nigeria, an initiative that aims to unify the country’s regions under a common framework.
