Lawyer urges FG to stop fueling agitations

THE Federal Government has been blamed for the spate of ongoing agitations in the country through its jaundiced decisions and policies.

A human rights lawyer, Oghenejabor Ikimi, in a statement made available to Tribune Online on Friday, in Warri, Delta State, described the FG as the architect of its own misfortunes through lopsided appointments.

He specifically cited the recent appointments made by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as one unjustly skewed in favour of Northern Nigeria where no drop of oil is produced.

“My attention has been drawn to the recent 15 appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a breakdown of which shows that 10 of those appointments went to the North, a non oil producing area, while the South-West benefited from three of the said appointments and the South-South, an oil producing region got two appointments from the entire 15 appointments made.

“The South East got nothing in all, and I condemn the said appointments as unfair, lopsided and unacceptable in our present day polity as same do not reflect true Federal character as guaranteed under the  constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the fiery activist posited.

Ikimi argued that the lopsided nature of the federation, which favours the North with 19 out of 36 states and 416 out of 774 local governments was partly responsible for the attendant nationwide cry of injustices, marginalization and inequity in the country.

These, he averred, has recently resulted in several agitations raging from self-determination, secession and restructuring.

According to Ikimi, it is rather sad and unfortunate that in spite of the growing agitations, the Buhari-led government continued to add more salt to injury.

“I am indeed worried that in spite of these agitations pervading our polity, the Federal Government rather than employ measures at dousing the said agitations have continued to fuel same by her actions.

“The recent NNPC appointments no doubt has elicited anger across our Nation especially in the South as same has not only further exacerbated hatred and suspicion in our polity, but has justified the calls for self-determination, secession and restructuring amongst other calls from our youths.

“Hence, we call on the Federal Government to review the said appointments and henceforth engage in confidence building measures that would result in the proper restructuring of our Nation along regionalism and true fiscal Federation.”