Clark urges Tinubu to implement 2014 Confab Report to reunify Nigeria.

The title “Implement 2014 Confab Report to re-unite Nigeria, Clark tells Tinubu” addresses a critical and ongoing issue in Nigerian politics: the need for national unity and the potential role of the 2014 National Conference (often referred to as the Confab) in achieving this goal.

To understand the significance of this statement and its implications, it’s essential to delve into the history and content of the 2014 Confab Report, the current state of Nigeria’s unity, and the political landscape that prompts such calls.

Background on the 2014 National Conference

In 2014, under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria held a National Conference aimed at addressing the country’s numerous socio-political and economic challenges. The conference brought together over 490 delegates from various ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds, representing a cross-section of the Nigerian society.

The delegates were tasked with discussing and making recommendations on a wide range of issues, including devolution of power, resource control, federalism, electoral reforms, and national security.

The conference was significant because it provided a platform for Nigerians to express their grievances, aspirations, and visions for a more unified and functional nation.

After several months of deliberations, the conference produced a comprehensive report containing over 600 recommendations designed to address the structural and systemic issues that have long plagued Nigeria.

Key Recommendations of the 2014 Confab Report

The 2014 Confab Report proposed several transformative measures aimed at re-structuring Nigeria’s political and economic landscape. Some of the key recommendations included:

1. Devolution of Powers:

The report advocated for a reduction in the powers of the Federal Government by devolving more responsibilities to the states. This was seen as a way to reduce the over-centralization of power in Abuja and promote more regional autonomy, allowing states to manage their resources and affairs more effectively.

2. Creation of New States:

The conference recommended the creation of 18 new states to address the issues of marginalization and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources and political power across the country.

3. State Police:

In response to the growing insecurity across the nation, the report suggested the establishment of state police forces. This was intended to complement the federal police and enhance security at the local level, given the unique challenges faced by different regions.

4. Fiscal Federalism:

The report proposed a new revenue-sharing formula that would increase the financial autonomy of states, allowing them to retain a greater percentage of the revenue generated from their resources.

5. Electoral Reforms:

The conference recommended several changes to Nigeria’s electoral system to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. These included the introduction of independent candidacy and the adoption of electronic voting.

6. Re-structuring of Local Governments:

The report called for a review of the local government structure, proposing that states should have the authority to create and manage local governments based on their specific needs.

7. Power Rotation:

To address the issue of ethnic and regional imbalance in leadership, the report suggested a rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones of the country.

8. National Integration:

The conference emphasized the need for policies and programs that promote national unity and integration, such as the re-introduction of history in school curricula and the establishment of more unity schools.

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Why the Call to Implement the Report Now?

The call by Chief Edwin Clark for President Bola Tinubu to implement the 2014 Confab Report comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s current challenges, which are eerily similar to those the report sought to address. Over the years, Nigeria has grappled with worsening insecurity, economic instability, ethnic tensions, and a growing call for secession from various regions.

1. Insecurity:

The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated significantly since 2014, with the country facing multiple threats from insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and secessionist agitations in the Southeast. The report’s recommendation for state police is seen as a crucial step in addressing these security challenges by allowing states to take more responsibility for their internal security.

2. Economic Disparities:

Nigeria’s economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, poverty, and inflation, have exacerbated the existing regional disparities. The Confab’s recommendations on fiscal federalism and resource control are viewed as potential solutions to these economic inequalities, allowing states to harness their resources for local development.

3. Ethnic Tensions and Calls for Secession:

The clamor for secession by groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has heightened the need for national dialogue and restructuring. The 2014 Confab Report’s recommendations on devolution of powers and the creation of new states are seen as measures that could address some of the grievances fueling these separatist movements.

4. Governance and Corruption:

The report’s proposals for electoral reforms and power rotation are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring more inclusive governance. These recommendations are particularly relevant in the context of recent electoral disputes and allegations of corruption in government.