The Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities (CIEN) has called for the creation of 8 regions in Nigeria as part of the ongoing Constitution Amendment process.
The group argues that the current six-geopolitical zones are inadequate and fail to adequately represent certain ethnic groups.
The proposed regions are as follows: North East Region, Eastern Middle Belt Region, South East Region, South South Region, Midwest Region, Western Region, Western Middle Belt Region, and North East Region.
In a memo signed by CIEN Chairman Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Co-Chairman Mr. Timothy B. Gandu, and Secretary Mr. Nubari Saatah, the group highlights the need for change in Nigeria’s political trajectory.
They express concern over the country’s visible socioeconomic and sociopolitical decay, including secessionist movements, religious and ethnic intolerance, insurgency and terrorism, socioeconomic decline, and a decline in Nigeria’s socio-political status internationally.
The group argues that Nigeria’s faulty socio-political and socio-economic structures can be traced back to the 1999 Nigeria Constitution. They believe that urgent restructuring is necessary and that the creation of the eight regions is a timely and essential idea.
CIEN has been actively engaging with indigenous ethnic nationalities to foster mutual understanding, cooperation, and the protection of collective interests.
They have developed recommendations and templates that, if implemented, can steer Nigeria towards a more prosperous future, fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of indigenous ethnic nationalities.
In pursuit of this goal, CIEN has sent a letter and recommendations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the leadership of the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives.
