The 12 tribes of the old Midwestern region of
Nigeria have demanded for a de-federalization of the country to recognise Edo
and Delta states as a constitutional demarcated MidWestern region created in 15th
of July 1963.
The leaders of thought from the region though affirmed
their incontrovertible support for the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country,
requesting that the mistakes allegedly perpetuated
during the three decades of the nation’s military interregnum should be corrected
as the country is clamouring for a restructured state.
Leaders under the MidWestern region group request that
the region should be accorded equal rights other regions are currently
enjoying, noting that resources from each region should be allowed to be
controlled by the people with the view of remitting a considerable recompense
in form of royalty to the centre.
Leaders of thought from Delta and Edo state have
requested that the states that were once demarcated as the Old Mid-Western
region during the 1963 constitution which is currently sitting on the area
coverage of about 35,000 square kilometers should be accorded its rightful
stance in the nation’s economic, political and recognition as the fourth region
duly created by the country republican constitution in 1963.
The group dissociates selves from the clamour by
some ethnic agitators laying claim to their territory, carving it to suit their
political or ethno-centric comforts, said their stance to refuse henceforth any
undue assertions that will draw their territory to unjustifiable agitation for
selfish political convenience would be strongly resisted by them.
Resource persons at the summit took a swipe to
underscore the need for Nigeria to undergo restructuring exercise, as a
veritable framework to allow uneven development among its component units.
The MidWestern region which comprises of the twelve ethnic
nationalities OF Edo and Delta State, who are kinfolks from Akoko-Edo, Benin (Edo),Enuani
(Aniocha/Osimili), Esan, and Esako.
Other tribes are Ndokwa, Ika, Isoko, Itsekiri,
Izon, Owan and Urhobo in Delta state.
The group called for structural deconstruction of
the Nigeria Federation to recognise Edo and Delta as Midwestern region, requesting
that government should also broaden the spectrum and consult with stakeholders
of all ethnic nationalities including MidWestern territory , with a view to
work out modalities to ease the avoidable tension arisen from perceived neglect,
marginalization and flawed in the Nation federal system.
Bamidele Ajayi, Awka, Anambra State
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