By Mark Lenu
According to the Edi-Abali of Kalabari Kingdom, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari, it was time to stop blaming the North, saying that the southerners laid the foundation of what they are suffering from.
The prominent Niger Delta leader historically drew the attention of Nigerians to how the British colonialists established federalism for the country in recognition of the fact that Nigeria is heterogeneous in nature.
The aim was to avert marginalization between the North and the South but some Southerners used the military commando style to destroy it, starting with the regime of late General Aguiyi Ironsi
Of all the Decrees enacted in Nigeria, none is more controversial than Decree No. 34 of 1966. It was promulgated on May 24, 1966, by then Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi. This was the Decree that started the destruction of regionalism which is still generating controversies till now.
Although, the next Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon repealed Decree 34 on August 31, 1966 through Decree 9, but a large portion of the Aguiyi Ironsi’s Decree 34 is still effective till today.
Alhaji Asari further mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo whose Land Use Act also brought severe disadvantages to the South. On March 29, 1978, the military administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, promulgated the Land Use Act 1978.
One notable disadvantage of the Land Use Act is the centralized control of land ownership in the hands of the government. Many have argued that the act has led to bureaucracy and inefficiencies in land transactions.
Speaking during a live video, Alhaji Asari said: “The southerners are the ones who laid the foundation of what they are suffering today. First, it was Aguiyi Ironsi’s Decree in 1966.
“General Olusegun Obasanjo (retdl also did his own in 1978 – 1979 by deliberately debasing the federal status of Nigeria. He promulgated a lot of laws including the Land Use Act. “Today, to whose advantage is the Land Use Act? The northern politicians who are smarter than us have used the Land Use Act against us.”
