Restructuring-Revised Edition.Cdr

THE SOUL OF THE IJAW NATION This plaque is like no other; it is a very special plaque, profound in its significance. In it is engraved the sacred signs, colours, aspirations and symbols not only of Bayelsa state, but also of the entire Ijaw nation. Bayelsa State is the Jerusalem of the Ijaw nation and our people are resilient and unconquerable. It is also the headquarters of the Ijaw people and the Epicentre of the Niger Delta, with all of its contradictions and potentials of the Niger Delta.

It represents the soul of the Ijaw nation and in it you will see the first oil well discovered in Nigeria with the gas still flaring. You have the palm oil showcasing our agricultural abundance. You can also see the Ijaw man and his wife in a canoe still going about fishing as we have done since our ancestors settled here. Sadly there are no more fishes to be caught as a result of the pollutions from oil exploration activities.

As you know, the crocodile is the master of the land and the sea, while the leopard showcases the strength of the Ijaw man. The great white shark, you see in the plaque is called Ofruma-pepe by our people and it emblematic of our aquatic splendour. The white shark only surfaces when the sea is roughest. Finally, in the background is the rising sun, indicating a brighter future for the Ijaw nation.

Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson On the significance of the Bayelsa State Coat of Arms.

Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson Shares His Thoughts on © 2018. Courtesy the offices of: The Deputy Chief of Staff RESTRUCTURING The Chief Press Secretary Speechwriter to the Governor Nigeria Copyright © 2018 Bayelsa State Government

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First Published in Nigeria by Flaming Hypermedia Communications Ltd.

Cover design + Artistic direction Shodayo Olorunsogo On behalf of the government the Southern Governors Forum of Thank you Mr. Chairman for rights, a lot of people may think of and the good people of Bayelsa which Governor Akinwunmi i n v i t i n g m e t o g i v e m y mineral rights. But minority rights State, I thank the leadership of the Ambode is our Chairman and my perspectives on how best we can are far bigger and more all- N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y a n d dear brother, Governor David protect minority rights. How best encompassing than property particularly the leadership of the Umahi of Ebonyi is also a co-chair. can we do so than by supporting rights and even environmental Senate, the Chairman and indeed Again, on behalf of my colleagues restructuring? The rights of all rights because we have so-called all the members of the Southern of the South-South Governors Nigerians can be best preserved minorities in non-mineral and S e n a t o r s F o r u m f o r y o u r Forum and the Southern Nigeria and protected within the context non-oil producing environment, thoughtfulness, dedication to duty Governors Forum, I bring you of a restructured, truly federal, yet they qualify to be minorities. and service to our country by greetings and felicitations. truly egalitarian and democratic Being Nigerians, they are entitled creating a platform like this for the Nigeria. to the freedom that our laws and discussion of clearly one of the We think that this is a great C o n s t i t u t i o n p r o v i d e a n d most topical issues facing our initiative, which I believe, Mr. I have not come here to guarantee for all. country today. Chairman and members of this deliver any lecture, not being a forum, that no sooner than we professor like our host. I have only The next question about On that account, I bring you leave here, contacts should be come to raise some issues that minorities would be: are we greetings, warm felicitations, established to see how those of us will provoke our thoughts and talking in the ethnic sense, or are support and solidarity from who are members of the Southern hopefully provide some clarity of we referring to minorities in terms Bayelsa because we are very Governors Forum will also thoughts on some of these issues of sexual orientation, political serious about this issue of collaborate with you in this great as we move forward. views or religious beliefs? restructuring, and you have endeavour so that we can talk to created this national, non- ourselves and among ourselves, to You have asked me to talk I know also that, contrary to partisan platform to discuss it. understand and break down the about protection of minority what a number of people say, our barriers of misunderstanding and rights and I was thinking of how to country has actually done very Let me also thank you as misrepresentation that have define the word 'Minority.' Very well in the area of protection and Chairman of the South-South b e d e v i l e d t h i s i s s u e o f often and particularly in our recognition of the rights of the Governors Forum. I also co-chair restructuring. context, when you talk of minority “so-called” minorities in the area

01 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 02

SUCCINCTLY DICKSON! SUCCINCTLY DICKSON!

Restructuring simply means a call for constitutional reforms, an There is need for cessation of hate speeches around the country. amendment of the laws of this country to guarantee a more stable and Wherever they are coming from, that has to stop. There is“ need for us to inclusive country, and“ for a return to the original founding principles of know that whatever citizens of this country are saying or groups within our“ nation. In other words, it is the return to federalism as agreed to by Nigeria“ are saying, should be done within the context of a strong and the founding fathers of our country. Restructuring does not mean united Nigeria. It is on that premise we can now have the serious secession. The call for restructuring does not mean a call for the break- conversation on how we can reorganise ourselves. up of Nigeria.

I am aware that because the term restructuring has been

overused and over flogged, right from the days of NADECO and now From my understanding, those who are making a case for

IPOB, there has been some apprehension as to what this concept of restructuring are simply saying that there are things that can be restructuring really and truly means. Another word for restructuring if adjusted and“ done differently even though we all belong to the same “ “ you like is reorganisation. Let us reorganise and readjust our structures country“ – Nigeria. That is why I support it. To me, the ongoing call for and systems, within the context of a united Nigeria. Let me be very clear, reorganisation is being made in good faith. All that is required is for this conversation about restructuring is not to the detriment of a united leadership to rise to the occasion and not indulge in some kind of blame Nigeria. As a matter of fact, those who are making a case for game. restructuring are actually the true believers in the Nigerian Project.

Selected Quotes from different Speeches on Restructuring Selected Quotes from different Speeches on Restructuring by His Excellency, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson by His Excellency, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson

03 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 04 o f p o l i t i c a l o r l e a d e r s h i p that have been Presidents and Restructuring simply means a call connote or necessarily imply. The participation. I say “so-called” Military Heads of State in this for constitutional reforms, an call for restructuring does not because I believe that even in this country, contrary to the language amendment of the laws of this necessarily imply secession, country; the “so-called” minorities they may speak or the religion they country to guarantee a more breakup or disintegration. Its are actually the unstated majority profess, ethnically belong to this stable and inclusive country, and proponents are not less Nigerian of this country. So, if you are out group of so-called minorities, who for a return to the original or less patriotic than others. I there as a so-called minority, or as I have said over and over again founding principles of our nation. t h i n k t h a t p o r t r a y i n g you have subscribed to that are the actual majority. In other words, it is the return to r e s t r u c t u r i n g a s b e i n g propaganda that says you are a federalism as agreed to by the coterminous with secession or minority, or you have created room I also come from a state that founding fathers of our country. disintegration is missing the for people to refer to you as such, just a few years ago had a Restructuring does not mean point. The call for a restructured then please listen attentively. wonderful opportunity given by all secession. I agree that there may Nigeria, as I said earlier, is a call for Nigerians to offer service at the be so many interpretations to constitutional amendment and In this country, the so-called topmost level as President of the restructuring and what some that is why we must thank the minorities are the majority, but I Federal Republic of Nigeria and I people may want out of a President of the Senate, the say Nigeria has done very well think we should congratulate restructured Nigeria, yet the call S e n a t e l e a d e r s h i p a n d because if you look at the statistics Nigerians. We have done better for restructuring does not mean a particularly the Chairman of the of those who have had an than a number of countries. We call for secession or break up of Southern Senators Forum, and all opportunity to lead and to serve have done better than most Nigeria. the members for creating this this nation at the very top level, people expect, and I thought I platform. And why not the and I am not just talking of should highlight that fact. There is While it is clear as stated Senate? Why not the National President or Head of State, I am however still plenty of work to do. above that restructuring may Assembly? Because you have the a l s o t a l k i n g o f t h o s e w h o mean different things to different most legitimate platform to talk command our Armed Forces and The other issue I would like p e o p l e b e c a u s e o f t h e i r about and to lead initiatives about other heads of critical branches of to throw some light on has to do experiences and expectations, we constitutional amendments and the government of the federation, w i t h t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f should be clear from the onset reforms, and that is what you are we need to tap ourselves on the r e s t r u c t u r i n g . a b o u t w h a t t h e c a l l f o r doing today. back because a number of people restructuring does not mean,

05 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 06 SUCCINCTLY DICKSON! SUCCINCTLY DICKSON!

A few days ago, I made a call on the federal government and APC If it is true that oil comes from my father's land and I am not that is in control at the centre to set up an all-party committee with benefiting from it as a family, community or state, apart from the handout

membership cutting across state governors and members of the national called derivation, then I have legitimate questions to ask. You do not brand and state houses of assembly, because ultimately, if we agree on how some that as some kind of subversive move that is inimical to the existence of the

“ “ “ of these reorganisation processes would be conducted, they are the people federation. Because with all the oil and gas reserves in my state, if given an that will ensure the implementation. It would also be important to consult option, I would want to be in a big country like Nigeria. So if we all want to be in opinion leaders and review all previous“ conference reports, because we Nigeria, and that is the sense I get, then we should be interested in what kind cannot throw away hours and hours of brainstorming, and the resources of Nigeria we want to create. We should be interested in how to fund it, and

that went into them. Some may disagree with a number of the create enduring structures. recommendations, but that in itself, is the reason we should have the

conversation in the first place.

As a result of their experiences and expectations, restructuring We should be talking and having a conversation within the context may mean different things to different people. But we should be clear from “

of a united Nigeria. That was what our leaders who fought and gave us the onset what the call for restructuring does not imply. The call for independence did. They had series of conferences in 1953, 1954 and restructuring does not necessarily imply secession or disintegration. Its “ “ 1957. The more they disagreed, the more they met. We do not do that proponents are no less patriotic than its opponents. I think that portraying “ restructuring as being coterminous with disintegration is missing the point. anymore. Unfortunately, political leaders are more militant than the military, and more intolerant of adverse opinions or criticisms. That has to change, so we can meet in a brotherly atmosphere deal with this issue of restructuring once and for all.

07 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 08 What other stakeholders not play McCarthyism; where United Kingdom. That is the unity of Nigeria is desirable, and I need to do is to work with you and people stand up to question the Scottish question. Those who dare say in the best interest of all. give you support so that we can patriotism and commitment of colonised us did not treat their We are better off in a large country have a meeting of minds to see their fellow men which does not own unity as something that is and a large population. So, do not the areas that can be agreed upon. work. The only lesson we need to not negotiable. So, do not tell me listen to extreme elements in this This is why I agree completely with learn is to agree and disagree but that Nigeria's unity is non- c o u n t r y w h o a r e f o r all the lectures and opinions to do so in the national interest. negotiable. That is not the right disintegration. We have enough already given by the Senate way to put it. I am a Nationalist, I people of goodwill in every area of President and the keynote The Senate President talked am a Pan-Africanist and I believe this country who believe that our a d d r e s s d e l i v e r e d b y h i s about what is happening in the that if I have an opportunity, best interest, collectively and Excellency, the Deputy Senate United States of America, where Nigeria is not even large enough individually, are best secured, President and the remarks by the there is a lively, healthy and robust for me. I and most of us want this protected and preserved in a Chairman of the forum, all debate going on there right now country to even be bigger than it united Federal Republic of Nigeria. pointing to the need for us to about what it means to be an is. So, there is no room for But we must do the hard work of engage with ourselves more and American, especially in this era of disintegration of Nigeria or creating that Nigeria; a Nigeria of build more consensus around Trump. That is a legitimate secession. That is not what we are equal citizenship, a Nigeria that is these pertinent issues. discussion they are having. If you talking about. What we are saying fair and just, a Nigeria where the go to the United Kingdom, you just is how do we make Nigeria's rights of all are protected, a Nigeria As the Senate President saw how it went with the Brexit existence and our greatness more of inclusive growth and a stable and the Deputy Senate President vote and the debates that are a p p a r e n t , r e l i a b l e a n d Nigeria. Not a Nigeria that is rightly said, we should not shy going on there about the United sustainable? perpetually at war with itself and away from decision making, K i n g d o m ' s r o l e w i t h i n t h e therefore unable to fulfil its consensus building nor be afraid European Union, around the world Just as the United Kingdom manifest destiny. Not a Nigeria of negotiating. For me, the more and within itself. subjected itself to a vote on the that is tied down by its internal divided opinions are, the better i s s u e o f t h e S c o t t i s h contradictions. Not a Nigeria by its because we are a diverse nation Two years ago in the United independence, I believe that if we internal contradictions is a threat building a virile democratic Kingdom, they had a legitimate were to conduct a referendum, to itself and the world. The call for culture, and we should not stifle referendum as to the future of the majority of Nigerians will vote for restructuring, therefore, is a call views and opinions. We should the unity of Nigeria because the f o r s e l f - e x a m i n a t i o n b y

09 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 10 SUCCINCTLY DICKSON! SUCCINCTLY DICKSON!

If it is true that oil comes from my father's land and I am not The pivotal issues in the 2015 general elections that saw a change

benefiting from it as a family, community or state, apart from the handout in guard from one political party to another after 16 years of dominance

called derivation, then I have legitimate questions to ask. You do not brand were security and corruption. Let me make bold to prophesy that in 2019, that as some kind of subversive move that is inimical to the existence of the restructuring will make the“ list. I make this prediction because, in the light of “ “ “ federation. Because with all the oil and gas reserves in my state, if given an the current security situation in the country, and amidst the agitations for a option, I would want to be in a big country like Nigeria. So if we all want to be in better deal for all the federating regions, and safer spaces, rights can best Nigeria, and that is the sense I get, then we should be interested in what kind be preserved and protected within the context of a restructured and truly of Nigeria we want to create. We should be interested in how to fund it, and egalitarian Nigeria.

create enduring structures.

In the next 30 to 50 years, Nigeria will be the third most populous

As a result of their experiences and expectations, restructuring nation on the face of the earth. Can we afford at that time with 500 million may mean different things to different people. But we should be clear from “ human beings to still be dealing with agitations from within? That is not

the onset what the call for restructuring does not imply. The call for sustainable.“ That is not the Nigeria we should be hand over to our children restructuring does not necessarily imply secession or disintegration. Its and grandchildren. We have a duty and a responsibility to create “ mechanisms for closer interactions and consensus building so as to quickly proponents are no less patriotic than its opponents. I think that portraying “ restructuring as being coterminous with disintegration is missing the point. identify areas of common agreement that can form the basis of a constitutional amendment before our nation is consumed by its contradictions and challenges. Every nation has contradictions and challenges, but what makes the critical difference is the response by its leadership.

11 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 12 Nigerians for the benefit of wisdom to listen to themselves by in all federal establishments in identity shared and allegiance N i g e r i a n s a n d t h e w o r l d . holding different conferences and A b u j a . T h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l freely given by the citizens of that consultations at home and abroad, provisions are there. But these are country. Every nation is a product I have told all my people and I the present leaders of this country the very reasons we need that of historical accident, some less say it here openly, my state has must rise up to this challenge of debate to make them more arbitrary and more natural than over 30 per cent of the oil and gas nation building. efficient. That is the reason we others. This country was not a reserves in this country (a number need that reform. If, despite the mistake. Even if the British did not of you do not know). Yet I do not So, we call for leadership strong military might of the create it, some of us who believe want to be a citizen of one tiny oil- responsibility, And Mr. Attorney former USSR, they could not so much in Nigeria being the rich country that one neighbouring General (of the Federation), while I prevent a collapse of that big beacon of Africa, if we found good country can overrun in five hours agree with you on the state of the empire, whoever says that friends like this in sufficient as in the case of Kuwait. Mineral legal position as it is, on the views Nigeria's unity is dependent on a number, could have recreated wealth alone, as in the case of the you expressed in your paper, the strong military and security is not even a bigger Nigeria. Hence, this Democratic Republic of Congo truth is that Nigeria's unity or the telling the truth. Yugoslavia is country is not a mistake. If a ( D R C ) a n d S o u t h S u d a n i n unity of any country for that another example. Of course, the mistake, as most claim, then contemporary times, does not matter cannot be sustained by military have their roles to play Africa, the black race and the g u a r a n t e e a s t a b l e a n d strong military and security forces and it is our duty to encourage, world needs a huge mistake such prosperous nation. I am a proud centrally controlled. No, we are support and build strong defence as Nigeria to be able to advance Nigerian citizen. I want to be a getting it wrong again. Nigeria's and security forces for the the African and black agenda in member and I am proud to be a unity cannot be sustained merely protection of our territorial the world, which is the next member of this great Nigerian by the constitutional provisions integrity but not for intimidation, frontier. Our duty as Nigerian family. This is one of the greatest that we know are ineffective. You oppression nor repression of any leaders is to make that 'mistake' nations on the face of the earth. talked about Federal Character Nigerian. more perfect. That is what the call But you and I, and all of us, have a Commission. For example, good for restructuring connotes. duty to perform. That is to recreate idea, good provision of the law as In the end, Nigeria's unity the ideal Nigeria. Just as our cited by you. However, a state like and our greatness depends on us Let us therefore challenge founding fathers had patience, mine is grossly under-represented Nigerians. Every nation exists out ourselves including our very patriotism, accommodation and of the sense of solidarity, ideals, common assumptions and then

13 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 14 go to the National Assembly, contradictions and challenges. ourselves and see how we can E v e r y n a t i o n I a g r e e h a s truly create a Nigeria that will last contradictions and challenges but for the next 100 or even 200 years what makes the critical difference SUCCINCTLY DICKSON! like America. This country can be is the response by its leadership.

My Proposal is that the President should convene a meeting of bigger than every other nation on representatives of the federal government, the leadership of the National the face of the earth. Let us break down the

Assembly, the Governors Forum, and Speakers of the various State Houses of barriers of communication and Assembly that have the role of making amendments to the constitution. The My dear friends, in the next understanding and let me in this meeting“ should also “ include the leadership of the leading political parties, 30 to 50 years, Nigeria will be the forum propose the following – traditional rulers, socio-cultural and religious groups, professional and civil third most populous nation on the that Mr. President, who is the “society groups and so on. This committee should not be a talk shop, but should face of the earth. So, can we afford leader of this country, be treated deliberate and come up with positions and common grounds for this nation at that time with about with respect and should be restructuring. 500 million human beings to still accorded the opportunity to be dealing with agitations from operate as our leader. Mr. within? That is not sustainable. President has to rise to the In the area of law and order, once you do not have an effective law That is not the Nigeria we should o c c a s i o n o n t h i s i s s u e o f

enforcement mechanism, the country collapses, because the authority of the hand over to our children and our restructuring. How will he do this? federal republic is not vested in the Inspector General of Police in Abuja. The authority of the federal republic is vested in the beat duty constable you see on grandchildren. We have a duty and My proposal as I have said before

the“ streets. It is vested in the Customs agent and in the Immigration officer at a responsibility, Mr. President of is that the President should the airport. Once these levels fail, whatever you do cannot hold water. If your the Senate and distinguished c o n v e n e a m e e t i n g o f policing system in the “ country is weak, you cannot build anything on it; it will Senators, and my dear colleagues representatives of the Federal collapse. We can isolate some of these issues and have lively and robust to create mechanisms for closer Government, the leadership of the debates around them, that is devoid of ethnic coloration and religious dogma interactions and consensus National Assembly, the Governors because we are in a federal republic. That too is a form of restructuring or building so as to quickly identify Forum, the speakers of the reorganization. areas of common agreement that various State Houses of Assembly c a n f o r m t h e b a s i s o f a that have the role of making Selected Quotes from different Speeches on Restructuring constitutional amendment before amendments to the Constitution, by His Excellency, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson our nation is consumed by its l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e

15 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 16 leading political parties, traditional have in their nation. That I think is recommended and did. That is, constitutional order. The military rulers, socio-cultural and religious at the core of the restructuring in separate development agency for interventions from 1966 till date groups, professional and civil Nigeria. the Niger Delta as well as the and the various decrees and laws society groups and so on. This entrenchment of a charter of made by military fiat, including committee should not be a talk Finally, the best guarantees human rights. But as we have expropriatory legislations taking shop, so that we can lock for protection of minority right, since learnt from 1960 till date, away property rights as in the o u r s e l v e s u p a n d d e v e l o p which you have asked me to speak the constitutional safeguards for case of Niger Delta, removal of common grounds and positions. A about, are to be founded on proper the protection of minorities as policing and judicial powers in the starting point will be to look constitutional amendments and envisaged by the Willinks f e d e r a t i n g u n i t s a n d t h e through previous reports. the amendments of other laws of Commission, which was adopted consequent stifling and over- this country because in the end we in the 1960 Constitution, have concentration of powers at the There are things that we all should aim at protecting the been eroded by various military centre has created over the years here, irrespective of party individuals irrespective of where decrees, including the decree a progressively unbalanced, affiliations or where we come the person comes from, whether e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e p r e s e n t u n s t a b l e a n d p o t e n t i a l l y from, can easily agree on. As the majority or minority. Once we Constitution. So a sustainable explosive nation. This has been Deputy Senate President and the guarantee individual rights, mechanism for the protection of the cause of all agitations. Distinguished Senators here property, political, economic, minority rights whether in the rightly proposed, let us start religious and environmental Niger Delta, as intended in the I thank you all for listening gradually. We do not need to rights, then you have created the Willinks Commission, or the and I do hope to work with you amend everything at the same basis for a sustainable and protection of minority political, and all other well-meaning time. American democracy has egalitarian Nigeria that can stand sexual or religious views, be they Nigerians to attempt to recreate a been there for many centuries yet up as the beacon of Africa. This personal or group, must be N i g e r i a t h a t i s e q u i t a b l e , how many amendments have was exactly what the Henry founded in a restructured truly egalitarian, democratic, fair and they done so far? So, let us start Willinks Commission set up by the federal Nigeria where these rights inclusive. God bless you all and with the most basic fundamental c o l o n i a l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n t o can be best secured as originally may God bless the Federal constitutional reforms that will e x a m i n e t h e f e a r s o f t h e agreed and enshrined in the pre- Republic of Nigeria. make our country more stable and m i n o r i t i e s p r i o r independence and independence generate the kind of loyalty and to Nigeria's independence confidence that citizens need to

17 -Restructuring Nigeria Restructuring Nigeria- 18 SUCCINCTLY DICKSON! Rights can best be preserved and protected within the context of a restructured and truly egalitarian Nigeria.