As Nigerians begin the count down for the 2023 general elections, the South-South geo-political zone has vowed not to fund any political groups that are not willing to implement the restructuring.
Already, the region has drawn what it called restructuring priorities for a better Nigeria.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the South-South group under the aegis of South-South Study Group, (3SG), outlined the conditions that would influence their voting pattern, which includes an agreement and commitment to constitutional devolution of powers to enable: community policing with the regulation of levels of weaponry at State and local governments.
The agreement according to a statement issued by the spokesman of the group, Prince Otoks-Dan Princewill, also includes licensing jurisdictions for federating units over electricity, mining, conduct/contracting of marriages, birth and death registration, driving and car licensing as well as port and jetties, and related activities, with provision for minimal federal taxes, royalties/rents and stamp duties as the case may be.
Besides, there would be an agreement and commitment to enable derivation principles as enshrined in Sections 134-136 of the 1960 Constitution of Nigeria, extended to reflect current geopolitical facts with 50% derivation as preferable target, with provision for a Federal fund to support states requiring an agreed period for developing their mineral endowments.
“To propagate these priorities of the South-South zone concerning the implementation of restructuring, the South-South will lend its support and commitment to all causes, social movements, political and social organisations that will see to the earliest implementation of these priorities and the granular details needed to make them into implemented state and federal policies”, it stated.
