2023 ELECTIONS AND SELF-DETERMINATION AGITATION. By Prof. 'Femi Olufunmilade

Agitators for self rule in Nigeria

"Participation in the 2023 election is the only option available to grant self-determination agitators the quantum of autonomy they seek for their homeland  and, simultaneously, offer a chance for Nigeria to remain united as is the wish of those who do not want the country to be broken". 

I am not convinced boycotting the 2023 election is a good strategy, but I am open to superior arguments. 

For one, unless 100 percent boycott is possible, our politicians, desperate for power, would simply have a very easy ride back to power at all levels. It means they would spend less money and exert less efforts such that if it's only their thugs and card-carrying members of their party who come out to vote, they would have enough votes to emerge as winners and losers, as the case may be.  

Rather, I'm for full participation towards empowering candidates sworn to the self-determination goal!

I am canvassing among self-determination agitators in the Middle Belt and the entire South to team up on a common political platform.

By so doing, they can redirect the freedom forces already raised across the country to nominate and massively vote for candidates who are convinced self-determination agitators to become president, governors, senators, reps, assembly men and what have you.

With this, it is expected that the votes required to amend the 1999 Constitution to immediately facilitate up to 90 percent self-determination would be attained between the Middle Belt, the entire South, as well as pockets of liberal enclaves in the Northeast and the Northwest.

Among other things, amendments expected shall include massive transfer of items in the Exclusive List to the Residual List and some to the concurrent List, single chamber Parliamentary System, Resource Control, and a Secession Clause that can be given effect in a state or region (as the case may be) by Referendum.

With the foregoing attained, it is not likely, going forward, that any state or region would want secession because the new constitutional order would be equitable to all and the benefits of a united country would be enjoyed by all.

A simple illustration of the vision explained so far is the United Kingdom confederacy. The level of autonomy of the nations in this confederacy is such that Scotland and Ireland - just like England - each has its parliament and First (Prime) Minister, national currency, police, national football team recognised at the World Cup, and secession clause in national Constitution etc.

In conclusion, participation in the 2023 election is the only option available to grant self-determination agitators the quantum of autonomy they seek for their homeland  and, simultaneously, offer a chance for Nigeria to remain united as is the wish of those who do not want the country to be broken. 

Participation will also save everyone the possibility of escalation of the political crisis to armed struggle. And it will ensure the present corps of politicians who have failed at all levels don't have a free ride back to power.

The foregoing are products of my deep reflections as a believer in self-determination and as a professor of political science.

(femiology@gmail.com)