The recent exit of Britainfrom the European Union (EU) through areferendum is still generatingripples, with some groups like Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and theIndigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) calling for referendum to decidewhether the ethnic groups of Nigeria should stay together or not. Toyou, does Nigeria need a referendum to stay together and develop as oneentity, or not?ABIMBOLA AKOSILE* I don’t think a referendum of thatnature is needed to decide if we should stay together or not. It’simpossible to conduct a credible poll inNigeria and the referendum willbe massively rigged, depending on what agenda each state or region ispursuing. A Sovereign National Conference, where the terms of ourcontinued staying together would be renegotiated, would be a betteralternative to a referendum in this matter.– Mr. John Ogunsemore, Lagos State* Unfortunately, the 1999 constitution of Nigeria has no window or room for referendum.– Mr. Juwon Adeyemi, Lagos* Yes. The Parliament as constituted areincapable of doing anything in that direction. We the people must decideand it is about time we do this so that we can now move ahead to buildthe nation that we all deserve. The referendum will enable us decide theconditionalities of our continued existence. This will allow us shapeour future because it would give all of us the opportunity of puttingeverything on the table. The issue of federalism which has always beenan albatross would be thoroughly discussed giving way to a leanercentre.– Prof. Kate Nwufo, mni, Abuja* I think the first step is to review thenation’s constitution to make provision for this referendum. To behonest with ourselves, I believe parliamentary system of government willtake care of these agitations.– Mrs. Mary Adeola Tehinse, Lagos* No, we don’t need a referendum.– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna* Yes, we must discuss and reviewperiodically such a vital issue as this for purpose of reassurance,sense of identity and belonging especially in view of the currenteconomic crunch or downturn. This happens even at family level. It isessential to encourage the people by any means to assure them that thefuture is hopeful, no matter the challenges now. Faith works wonders.– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos* No, referendum is unnecessarydistraction. Is anybody doubting whether he or she is truly Nigerian? Weare all Nigerians please. Our budgets have always covered all the 36States including Abuja. Let us emphasise unity, loyalty, patriotism,love e.t.c. for one another.– Ms. Saiki Ometere Tina, Gboko, Benue State* Certainly Yes! We need it. However aconference must precede it, and that has been taken care of with the2014 National Conference. The second thing is a Peoples’ Constitution,again that conference has set the tone. Graciously the organisers andhonourable people that coordinated thelast conference made allprovisions for our transition from existing system to whichever one wecollectively choose. The deception of Western civilisation andNigerian-Military coalition with selfish elites, have robbed us of oursenses and power of working together to build formidable institutions.Referendum or war are the two ultimate options, and we are getting theresoonest.– Mr. Abimbolu Ogunbanwo, Lagos State* Yes; Nigeria needs referendum considering what is happening today. Marriage is not by force.– Mr. Mark Clement, Abuja* A referendum on this is not necessarybecause the outcome would be for Nigeria to remain united, becauseoutside the Niger Delta, only Lagos can survive at the moment. Buharihas been unable to give Nigerians a sense of belonging, hence theagitations. The lopsided appointments and recruitment exercises are amajor factor, contrary to Section 15 (4) and Section 14 (3) of theNigerian Constitution.– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State* Do we have what it takes to separateand stand as a nation? Time will tell. What Nigeria needs is restructureso every group would have their own sense of belonging in governance ofone Nigeria.– Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State* Well a referendum would have been agood idea. But, who is going to conductit? Definitely, it will only gothe way the government in power wantsit. If you continue to beg a wifewho does not see anything good in you to stay with you against her wish,one day, to ensure she frees herself, she might do something nasty,like poisoning the man.– Mrs. Rosemary Nwaebuni, Asaba, Delta State* Does the Nigerian constitution allow for a referendum? Let us start from there, Padre.– Mr. Kirk Leigh, Lagos* We want referendum to determine whatkind of political structure we want to belong to, we want exit ofNigeria. Total and independent sovereign state of Biafra is our right.If self-determination is a fundamental human right, why is the Nigeriangovernment denying us our right to self-determination? We, the people ofBiafra want our country back just like the United Kingdom took backcontrol of her nation. And it’s not in the interest of Nigeria to decidefor us, it’s our choice to decide what wewant.– Mr. Yahgozie, editor Biafra24 Radio, London, UK* That is the only solution; nothing else.We need a referendum in Nigeria.– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna* Referendum is a good agenda by allgroups. Let us go as a nation so there will be peace after separation;and let not what is happening in South Sudan occur here because ofresource control. We must check the good, bad and ugly aspects ofseparation before we call for referendum. Let us give this governmenttime before we agitate for referendum ifthey fail.– Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State* A referendum was encapsulated in theNational Conference that held in Abuja a few years ago. With the wayNigeria is structured, the outcomes of that conference would help inresolving allegations of marginalisationand lop-sidedness ingovernance. If we decide to live together as one entity, then everyonefrom every part of the country must have a true sense of belonging,backed by equitable distribution of the nation’s resources. Thendevelopment will occur rapidly.– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, LagosTHE FEEDBACKYes, it is abusing its powers: 8No, it is not: 3Others: 6Radical tip: Referendum or war!Total no of respondents: 17Male: 11Female: 6Highest location: Lagos (Next Week: Can the Anti-corruption WarBe Improved?Although the Federal Government underPresident Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) has made the fight against corruption acornerstone of this administration, opinions differ on how the war hasbeen prosecuted so far; with allegations of bias, too much leniency, toolittle sanctions, slow tempo, absence ofnotable convictions andsentencing, among others. However, it is not in doubt that Nigeria mustfight official corruption to a standstill tobe able to develop. But, toyou, how can the war be better prosecuted, to improve Nigeria’sdevelopment process?

I believe that the British should have conducted a referendum in 1960 to allow the ethnic nationalities decide if they want to carry on with the British invented idea called Nigeria. Of course, nobody could have foresaw the calamity that would come later in the shape of a civil war.

I think there should be 3 referendums.

The first, to determin those who wants to continue with 'one Nigeria' and those who want to go.

The second referendum will be held amongst those who decide to leave Nigeria so that they can decide who they want to stay with eg, It could be that Itsekiri,Isoko and Ijaw want to be together as a separate country or maybe all the Igbos and Igboids of Delta and Rivers all prefare to be together or maybe Efik/Ibibio/Ogoja/ Calabar/Oron want Oyono Republic. Or maybe everbody wants to be together

A third and last referendum will be held amongst the group(s) that have decided to be together, on what sort of constitution, system of Government, and terms of being together.

gidgiddy:
I believe that the British should have conducted a referendum in 1960 to allow the ethnic nationalities decide if they want to carry on with British invented idea called Nigeria. Of course, nobody could have foresaw the calamity that would come later in the shape of a civil war.

I think there should be 3 referendums.i

The first, to determin those who want to continue with 'one Nigeria' and those who want to go.

The second referendum will be held amongst those who decide to leave Nigeria so that they can decide who they want to stay with eg, it could be that Itsekiri,Isoko and Ijaw together as a separate country or maybe all the Igbos and Igboids of Delta and Rivers all prefare to be together or maybe Efik/Ibibio/Ogoja/ Calabar/Oron want Oyono Republic. Or maybe everbody wants to be together

A third and last referendum will be held amongst the group(s) that have decided to be together on what sort of constitution, system of Government and terms of being together

Sensible enough

wat happen in 1914 was purely for administrative purposes becos d british were to lazy to generate funds to govern d north. nigeria was doom to fail right from d start.
nigeria has never n will never be a united nation.

drss2:
wat happen in 1914 was purely for administrative purposes becos d british were to lazy to generate funds to govern d north. nigeria was doom to fail right from d start.
nigeria has never n will never be a united nation.

True. One major reason Nigeria can never be united is one that most Nigerians never think about, Religion.

A largely Chistian South, living along side a largely Muslim North? Just how does anyone think thats going to work?

And this is just Religion, we have not even come to traditional, cultural, ideological and historical differences!

People who shout 'one Nigeria' do so out of ignorance or sheer stupidity

gidgiddy:
I believe that the British should have conducted a referendum in 1960 to allow the ethnic nationalities decide if they want to carry on with the British invented idea called Nigeria. Of course, nobody could have foresaw the calamity that would come later in the shape of a civil war.

I think there should be 3 referendums.

The first, to determin those who wants to continue with 'one Nigeria' and those who want to go.

The second referendum will be held amongst those who decide to leave Nigeria so that they can decide who they want to stay with eg, It could be that Itsekiri,Isoko and Ijaw want to be together as a separate country or maybe all the Igbos and Igboids of Delta and Rivers all prefare to be together or maybe Efik/Ibibio/Ogoja/ Calabar/Oron want Oyono Republic. Or maybe everbody wants to be together

A third and last referendum will be held amongst the group(s) that have decided to be together, on what sort of constitution, system of Government, and terms of being together.

[size=14pt]Deceitful post.

Using your example of multiple referendum to decide the most minute detail, What about the 5th referenda to decide who will rule, 7th referenda to decide how to distribute national projects, 8th referenda to decide how to deal with corrupt government officials , 9th referenda to decide blah ...blah ... blah and Fulani herdsmen menace until the 90th referenda?

Nigeria needs just ONE referendum to allow those considered second class citizens or 5% to leave peacefully if they wish before it inevitably leads to an armed conflict which will dislocate Nigeria and indeed much of Africa for another 100 years.

All security experts including the CIA have predicted that a second Nigerian major civil war isn't a question of if but when.Exactly why they are meeting northern governors now in Washington DC to intimate them about secret arms acquisitions happening around the world which may eventually find its way into a Nigerian conflict now that the conflict could be averted for the sake of Africa[/size]

gidgiddy:
I believe that the British should have conducted a referendum in 1960 to allow the ethnic nationalities decide if they want to carry on with the British invented idea called Nigeria. Of course, nobody could have foresaw the calamity that would come later in the shape of a civil war.

I think there should be 3 referendums.

The first, to determin those who wants to continue with 'one Nigeria' and those who want to go.

The second referendum will be held amongst those who decide to leave Nigeria so that they can decide who they want to stay with eg, It could be that Itsekiri,Isoko and Ijaw want to be together as a separate country or maybe all the Igbos and Igboids of Delta and Rivers all prefare to be together or maybe Efik/Ibibio/Ogoja/ Calabar/Oron want Oyono Republic. Or maybe everbody wants to be together

A third and last referendum will be held amongst the group(s) that have decided to be together, on what sort of constitution, system of Government, and terms of being together.

A referendum is illegal under the Nigerian constitution and until it can be amended, your hopes for it remain but a pipe dream

OreMI22:



[size=14pt]Deceitful post.

Using your example of multiple referendum to decide the most minute detail, What about the 5th referenda to decide who will rule, 7th referenda to decide how to distribute national projects, 8th referenda to decide how to deal with corrupt government officials , 9th referenda to decide blah ...blah ... blah and Fulani herdsmen menace until the 90th referenda?

Nigeria needs just ONE referendum to allow those considered second class citizens or 5% to leave peacefully if they wish before it inevitably leads to an armed conflict which will dislocate Nigeria and indeed much of Africa for another 100 years.

All security experts including the CIA have predicted that a second Nigerian major civil war isn't a question of if but when.Exactly why they are meeting northern governors now in Washington DC to intimate them about secret arms acquisitions happening around the world which may eventually find its way into a Nigerian conflict now that the conflict could be averted for the sake of Africa[/size]

Another moronic post from a poorly educated man.

How many times has the C/IA been involved in toppling legitimate governments, funding terrorism, distributing narcotics and supporting armed conflict. You stand here to quote that organizations opinion of Nigeria.

The possibilities or civil war in Nigeria is less than 5%. Go and read scholastic publications of revered and renowned researchers. Nigeria will not have a civil war because since the last civil war .. Nigeria has remained economically prosperous, and recent information has shown Nigeria to have the largest economy in Africa , what the would be a motivating factor that would lead to a full blown civil war.

Nigeria has only experienced pockets of armed conflict - most of which are religiously motivated and largely in the north.

The southern parts of Nigeria are thriving economically with Lagos having twice the GDP
Of Kenya and you expect a civil war. Who would got to war and risk his wealth and investments for a fools war. You think easterners are as gullible as they where during the Ojukwu charade.

Another factor that will hinder civil war is the growing level inter marriage and technological advancement Nigeria is enjoying .. access to the internet and mixed babies are also signs of a well tempered and growing civilization. Thanks the NYSC for most of this.

Another factor which would hinder war in Nigeria is the divide and rule . The brits taught us this years ago. And this is why Nigeria is former colony the brits are proud off till this day,though they call us names. Were to diverse for a civil war to succeed.

Book haram remained largely in the north east and Ojukwus charade largely in the south. To have a war you need cohesion.

Nnamdi Kanu, current travail should also standard as warning to you. The group itself has been divided with iPods calling ebonyi people non Ibro and struggle of ibo people to
Identify other ibo speaking groups in other states as their brothers.

You need to read far and wide to fully grasp the factors that encourage civil war : these factors may be present in this great nation but the mitigating factors are much more pronounced and will always ensure that we will remain one till enternity

gidgiddy:
I believe that the British should have conducted a referendum in 1960 to allow the ethnic nationalities decide if they want to carry on with the British invented idea called Nigeria. Of course, nobody could have foresaw the calamity that would come later in the shape of a civil war.

I think there should be 3 referendums.

The first, to determin those who wants to continue with 'one Nigeria' and those who want to go.

The second referendum will be held amongst those who decide to leave Nigeria so that they can decide who they want to stay with eg, It could be that Itsekiri,Isoko and Ijaw want to be together as a separate country or maybe all the Igbos and Igboids of Delta and Rivers all prefare to be together or maybe Efik/Ibibio/Ogoja/ Calabar/Oron want Oyono Republic. Or maybe everbody wants to be together

A third and last referendum will be held amongst the group(s) that have decided to be together, on what sort of constitution, system of Government, and terms of being together.

Has it not occurred to you that British was not in the business of giving the colonialized people a template for success?