Eminent Elders Forum out with 19-point resolutions on how Nigeria can move forward

A group of eminent Nigerians under the aegis of Eminent Elders Forum has come up with 19-point resolutions on ways Nigeria can get out of its present sociopolitical and economic quagmires, advocating restructuring and reintroduction of 1963 constitution as parts of its resolution.

According to a statement by the forum, the membership comprises very top ranking senior citizens that have traversed all spheres of human endeavours including the very high politically exposed; high ranking fellows in the executive, legislative, judiciary, police, military, civil, public and private sectors of the country.

The statement said the body had a three-day virtual meeting/discussion between August 8 and 11 where they discussed topical national issues and the various problems bedevilling the country.

At the end of the meeting, the forum came up with 19-point resolutions on how to solve the problems of the country and the way forward for ensuring progress in all the spheres of lives in Nigeria.

The 19-point resolutions by the group are:

1. Change in attitude and utterances and style of governance by Major-General Mohammadu Buhari and his government. Respect for the rule of law, justice and fairness to all. Respect the spirit of federal character in all appointments into federal executive positions.

2. The armed forces should be more proactive to stop the killings, abductions, kidnapping and banditry; flush out the foreign invaders from Nigeria’s territorial space and restore security of lives and properties of citizens across the countries Nigeria.

3. Replace the 1999 Constitution (not Amendment) with the 1963 constitution with amendments to reflect today’s realities in Nigeria.

4. Above all, restore peace to all occupied land in all the states, rehabilitate and settle all the displaced people in the IDP camps back into their homes and ancestral lands.

5. Remember our first National Anthem at Independence: “Nigeria we hail thee, our own dear native land, though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand etc.” The last verse: “O God of all creation, grant this our one request, help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed and so with peace and plenty Nigeria may be blessed.”

6. The first National Anthem was the spirit that prevailed across the country. We say with all sense of responsibility that if we cannot re-enact such spirit in this nation called Nigeria, then without mincing words: to thy various tents oh Nigerians becomes a sine qua non. We can part in peace to allow each ethnic groups/nationalities to develop and manage their affairs at their own pace.

7. Justice, equity and fairness must return to our polity (society) in all recruitments/appointments particularly into various Federal Government ministries, agencies and parastatals, among others.

8. Appropriate application and respect for the law.

9. Proper handling and prosecution of reported cases of attacks and killings in the communities across the country

10. The solution is either: total mutual disintegration or deliberate restructuring of Nigeria in line with the vision of the founding leaders of Nigeria. We would rather prefer the latter to avoid the former.

11. To find a way out of the quagmire, we will need to do the followings:

The government has no business in religious affairs. Nigeria is a secular state and should be seen to be secular in all ramifications of governance in the country.

17. Prevent the present administrations both at federal and state levels by all reasonable and lawful means from causing further collateral damages in the remaining tenure of their administration.

18. Total restructuring on the basis of the 2014 national confab resolutions or as may be reasonably modified.

Credit: Nigeria Tribune6