A group, the Concerned Citizens Assembly, has called for a major restructuring of Nigeria into 17 autonomous regions, with each region retaining 80 per cent of the revenue generated within its territory.
The group made the proposal in a communiqué issued on Wednesday after a three-day meeting at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
The communiqué was read by the Convener of the Assembly, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo.
The Assembly said Nigeria’s highly centralised system had slowed development, weakened accountability and contributed to the country’s security problems.
It proposed a new federal system where regions would control most of their internal affairs, while the Federal Government would handle national responsibilities such as defence and foreign affairs.
The proposed regions are Akwa Ibom, Ane Igala, Apa-Agba, Bendel, Caliphate, Cross River, Gurara, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, Kanem, Lower Benue, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Savannah and Yoruba.
The group said the Plateau-Gurara proposal had been separated into Plateau and Gurara regions, while the Apa-Agba region was also adopted.
It said boundary disputes should be settled through dialogue and consultation with affected communities.
Where disputes cannot be resolved through negotiations, the Assembly proposed referendums to allow communities to decide their future.
On revenue, the group proposed that regions should keep 80 per cent of revenues generated within their territories, while the remaining 20 per cent would go to the Federal Government.
It said the arrangement would encourage healthy competition, productivity, accountability and development among the regions.
The Assembly also called for the creation of regional police forces to handle internal security and public safety.
However, it said national defence, territorial integrity and external security should remain under the Federal Government.
The group further proposed that each region should have its own constitution, provided it remains subject to the Federal Constitution and fundamental human rights.
It stressed that regional autonomy must not be used to discriminate against minorities or vulnerable groups.
The Assembly called for constitutional guarantees for minorities, women and children, including political representation, equal treatment, cultural rights and access to public services.
It also stressed that the proposal was not a call for the breakup of Nigeria.
According to the group, Nigeria would remain one country, but its regions would have greater powers to manage their affairs.
The Assembly said a stronger Nigeria could emerge from a system based on justice, equality, consent and mutual respect.
It also called for the immediate creation of a National Rebirth Commission to coordinate constitutional negotiations, resolve territorial disputes and organise referendums where necessary.
The commission would also oversee the proposed transition to autonomous regional governance.
Oladejo described restructuring as a “national survival strategy”, saying the issue should be treated as a serious national debate rather than a political slogan.
The Assembly urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, traditional institutions, civil society groups and Nigerians to begin a broad dialogue on its proposals.
It said any restructuring process must be peaceful, transparent, inclusive and based on the consent of Nigerians.