Secession Agitations: Nigeria’s Unity Must Be Based On Agreed Terms, Not Forced Union – Ex-Governor, Attah

A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah, has called for the drafting of a new Nigerian constitution that reflects conditions agreed upon by all regions in the country.

Naijaonpoint reports that Attah emphasized that the existing 1999 Constitution was imposed on Nigerians by the military and is not a product of mutual agreement.

Speaking on the socio-political programme ‘Inside Sources with Laolu Akande’ on Channels Television, he asserted that the country’s challenges stem from the fact that Nigerians are compelled to remain united without agreeing on the terms of their union.

Attah, who served as Akwa Ibom’s governor from 1999 to 2007, highlighted the importance of establishing conditions that are acceptable to all Nigerians.

He stressed that without such an agreement, efforts to move the nation forward would be in vain.

“So, what we should look at is how do we get back to a state of conditions and terms that will be agreeable to all Nigerians, if we don’t do that, we are wasting time,” Attah said.

The former Governor shared a poignant story to illustrate his point: “Let me tell you a very quick story. About two weeks ago, there was a story about a young girl of 14 who poisoned the groom and the guests at her wedding because she was being forced to the union she does not subscribe to. What that suggests is nobody on this earth will agree to remain in a union if they have not subscribed to the rules and conditions of staying together.”

He argued that Nigerians must have the freedom to decide under what terms they want to remain united.

“So, we must not continue to force Nigerians to stay together without first of all allowing them to spell out the terms and conditions under which they want to stay together,” he added.

According to Attah, Nigeria’s 1963 constitution represented a true federal system, but the nation has since strayed from this model in favour of an authoritarian framework.

The octogenarian insisted that the core issue lies with the constitution, noting that Nigeria has never had a truly homegrown constitution and advocating for a system change.

“For me, what is wrong is the constitution. We so not have a Nigerian constitution by Nigerians and the system must change,” he insisted.

Addressing the recent rise in calls for secession from different regions, Attah remarked that such actions are driven by frustration rather than a genuine desire to leave the country.

“My conviction is that nobody really wants to go but they are just tired and fed up with what is going on in Nigeria,” he said.

The ex-Akwa Ibom governor also pointed out that these issues have been present for a long time, but the government has largely ignored them, prompting some to advocate for separation because they feel stifled in the current political climate.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past, Attah suggested that had the country’s current constitution been in place during the 1960s, leaders like Obafemi Awolowo may not have been able to implement landmark initiatives like free education in the Western Region.