2023: South-South gives restructuring as condition for votes

As Nigerians begin the count down for the 2023 general elections, the South-South geopolitical zone has vowed not to fund any political groups that are not willing to implement the restructuring.

Already the South-South 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 gives 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 government.

The agreement according to the 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.