By Queen Madu | BVI Channel
ABUJA — August 17, 2026: The Igbo delegation to the Citizens for Restructured Nigeria (CRN), also known as the Citizens’ Assembly on Restructuring of Nigeria, has presented a comprehensive 12-point position on the restructuring of Nigeria, anchored on the principles of justice, equity, security, economic self-determination and national harmony.
The Citizens’ Assembly is being held in Abuja from August 17 to August 21, 2026, under the broad theme: “Justice for All, Harmony Nationwide.”
The Igbo position proposes a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s political, economic and security architecture, with a shift from the present state-centred federal arrangement to a system based primarily on regions corresponding to ethnic nationalities or groups of consenting ethnic nationalities.
Regions to Replace States and Geopolitical Zones.
According to the position paper, the Igbo delegation proposes the replacement of the existing states, local government areas and six geopolitical zones with regions based on established ethnic-nationality identities.
The proposal envisages five coastal regions in Southern Nigeria and five regions in Northern Nigeria, with the northern regions expected to border either the Niger or Benue rivers.
The delegation argues that such an arrangement would provide stronger economic viability, political autonomy and clearer regional identities while reducing excessive dependence on the Federal Government.
Resource Control and Regional Economic Autonomy.
A major component of the proposal is the transfer of ownership and control of natural resources to the regions, with the regions contributing agreed revenues to the Federal Government.
The delegation argues that the present system has created excessive dependence by states on federal allocations and has weakened the incentive for regional economic development.
It also advocates a mixed private-public free-enterprise economy and a secular political system in which religion is separated from state and political affairs.
On foreign policy, the delegation calls for an Afrocentric, independent and non-aligned foreign policy, including opposition to foreign military bases and secret military alliances or treaties.
Defining Ethnic Nationalities.
The Igbo delegation also called for an objective definition of what constitutes an ethnic nationality before any restructuring process proceeds.
It proposed that claims of ethnic-nationality status should be supported by historical, linguistic, cultural and documentary evidence, including records from the colonial period, pre-independence Nigeria and earlier European documentation of the peoples of the region.
The delegation warned that politically created or sponsored groups should not be allowed to present themselves as historical ethnic nationalities merely to influence the outcome of a restructuring conference.
It proposed that participating groups should eventually demonstrate their historical credentials through documentary evidence.
Disputed Maps and Igbo Communities.
The delegation strongly rejected what it described as “false maps” that divide Igbo communities into separate and allegedly weak political units.
Particular concern was expressed about Igbo-speaking communities in present-day Rivers State and other neighbouring areas, including communities around Port Harcourt, Ikwerre, Etche, Oyigbo, Obio-Akpor, Okrika, Bonny and surrounding areas.
The delegation also maintained that the Anioma Igbo should not be separated from the broader Igbo identity and called for consideration of Igbo-speaking communities in neighbouring states that have expressed a desire to be grouped with their cultural kith and kin.
Consensus Rather Than Simple Majority Voting.
The Igbo position further advocates consensus decision-making, arguing that previous people-driven constitutional conferences in Nigeria relied substantially on consensus rather than simply imposing decisions through numerical voting.
The delegation maintained that restructuring should be a negotiated process capable of accommodating the legitimate interests of Nigeria’s various peoples.
Ports and Eastern Industrialization.
Economic justice is another major component of the proposal.
The Igbo delegation called for the modernization and reopening of the Eastern coastal ports, particularly Bonny, Opobo and Port Harcourt, alongside other Eastern ports.
It argued that developing these ports would reduce pressure on Lagos, lower transportation and logistics costs, stimulate industrialization and reconnect the Eastern and Middle Belt economies with international trade.
The delegation also called for deep dredging, modernization and multimodal connections involving road, rail, water, air and digital infrastructure.
It believes that an integrated transport network could revive the industrial and commercial potential of the East and strengthen economic connections extending through the Middle Belt towards the Lake Chad region.
Coastal Access for Southern Regions.
The proposal also states that Southern regions should have contiguous access to the Atlantic coast and retain their traditional coastal ports.
The document identifies various ports and coastal areas associated with Yoruba, Bini, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, Igbo, Ogoni, Andony/Obollo and AkwaCross communities.
For Northern regions, it proposes a riparian principle based on access to the Niger and Benue river systems.
Plebiscites, Property Rights and Security.
The delegation supports history-based plebiscites and referendums, while rejecting any plebiscite or referendum conducted on the basis of ethnic cleansing.
It also calls for stronger constitutional protection of private property rights, arguing that restructuring should strengthen citizens’ rights to life and property and make those rights effectively enforceable.
On security, the delegation advocates a broader reorganization of Nigeria’s military and security architecture, with regional policing presented as only one element of a wider security restructuring.
It argues that regional responsibility for security could help address terrorism, arbitrary arrests, detention, extortion, highway robberies and what it describes as inappropriate military operations in built-up communities.
Open and Transparent Proceedings.
The Igbo delegation called for the proceedings of the restructuring conference to remain open to the press and civil society.
It urged organizers to allow delegates to present their positions freely and warned against any process perceived as predetermined or designed merely to endorse an already established outcome.
The delegation stressed that genuine consensus requires openness, dialogue and respect for divergent perspectives.
Restructuring Before 2027 Elections.
Another major proposal is that the restructuring process should be completed before May 2027.
The delegation proposed that elections could be temporarily suspended through an appropriate legal mechanism if considered necessary, with subsequent elections conducted under the new constitutional and regional framework.
It suggested that implementation could commence through an Executive, Parliamentary or civil-society-sponsored Bill.
Release of Political Prisoners.
The Igbo delegation also called for the unconditional release, rehabilitation and reintegration of political prisoners and persons it describes as political detainees as a confidence-building measure for the restructuring process.
It argued that releasing such detainees would help generate goodwill and create a more conducive atmosphere for national dialogue.
“Justice for All, Harmony Nationwide”
The delegation emphasized that its support for restructuring is not intended to consolidate injustice or advance an exclusively Igbo agenda.
Rather, it described restructuring as a pathway towards justice for all Nigerians, greater regional economic development, improved security and a more balanced federation.
In its concluding remarks, the delegation expressed appreciation to Deacon Oladejo Owolabi and the TRG, CRN, CCA, C-RAIN and other associated teams for organizing the Abuja gathering.
The Igbo delegation said it hopes that the deliberations will produce a just and reasonable framework that can subsequently be presented to Nigerians and placed before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for consideration and implementation.
The position was signed on behalf of the Igbo delegation by Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, Dr. Katch Ononuju and Prof. Obasi Igwe.
The Abuja assembly is expected to continue its deliberations through Friday, August 21, 2026, as participating groups debate possible pathways towards a restructured Nigerian federation.
