UNIEC: Justice, True Federalism, Equity & Unity — One Nigeria, Justly Restructured.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

UNIEC WELCOMES IGBO POSITION ON NIGERIA'S RESTRUCTURING

An Elderly Call for Justice, True Federalism, Equity and National Reconciliation

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity Advancing Humanity • Empowering Generations • Building a Greater Igbo Society

The Elderly Supreme Council of the United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has taken note with considerable interest and appreciation of the position presented by the Igbo Delegation at the Citizens for Restructured Nigeria (CRN) / Citizens' Assembly on Restructuring of Nigeria, held in Abuja from 17 to 21 August 2026.

UNIEC commends the Igbo Delegation for presenting its position around the fundamental principle of “Justice for all, harmony nationwide.” The Council considers this an important contribution to the continuing national conversation on the future constitutional structure of Nigeria.

As an elder institution committed to true federalism, justice, unity, peaceful coexistence, responsible citizenship and national development, UNIEC believes that the restructuring question deserves serious, open-minded and historically informed consideration.

RESTRUCTURING MUST SERVE JUSTICE

UNIEC Worldwide supports, in principle, a restructuring process capable of producing a fairer, more balanced, secure, economically productive and genuinely federal Nigeria.

The Council particularly recognises the importance of meaningful devolution of powers, responsible fiscal federalism, equitable resource management, effective security arrangements, protection of fundamental rights, private property rights and greater citizen participation in governance.

Nigeria's federal structure must enable its constituent communities and regions to develop according to their circumstances while maintaining a strong national framework for common interests, defence, foreign affairs and other matters appropriately assigned to the centre.

Restructuring, however, must never become a mechanism for transferring injustice from one group to another.

“When the foundation is crooked, the house cannot stand straight. Before we rebuild the house, let us repair the foundation with justice.”

ON THE IGBO HISTORICAL AND TERRITORIAL POSITION

UNIEC acknowledges the concerns expressed by the Igbo Delegation regarding historical communities, cultural identity, territorial contiguity and access to the coast.

These matters deserve serious examination based on credible historical records, recognised maps, demographic realities, linguistic and cultural evidence, constitutional principles and peaceful consultation.

Where appropriate and constitutionally permissible, legitimate plebiscites or referenda may provide peaceful mechanisms for determining the wishes of affected communities.

No community should be forcibly separated from its historical and cultural identity, just as no community should be compelled against its lawful will into a political arrangement it does not accept.

The Council therefore recommends that these sensitive questions be addressed through evidence and dialogue rather than inflammatory rhetoric.

RESOURCE CONTROL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

UNIEC considers the proposal for greater regional responsibility over resources and development worthy of serious national consideration.

A productive federation should encourage every region to develop its economic potential while contributing fairly to the national commonwealth.

The Council also welcomes the call for the modernisation and effective utilisation of Eastern and other coastal ports.

The reopening, dredging and modernisation of historically significant ports, together with improved rail, road, air, waterway and digital connections, could stimulate industrialisation, employment, trade and investment across the Eastern region and the wider Nigerian economy.

No part of Nigeria should be deliberately denied legitimate economic opportunity.

SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF CITIZENS

UNIEC further recognises the importance of reforming Nigeria's security architecture.

Citizens require security institutions that protect life, liberty and property, operate within the law and remain accountable to constitutional authority. Any restructuring of security arrangements, including regional policing, must therefore be accompanied by appropriate safeguards, professional standards, judicial oversight, accountability mechanisms and protection against abuse.

The ultimate objective must be a Nigeria where citizens can travel, farm, trade, worship and conduct their lawful activities without fear.

CONSENSUS, TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSION

UNIEC strongly recommends that the restructuring process remain open, transparent, inclusive and genuinely consultative.

No national conference should be designed merely to rubber-stamp predetermined conclusions.

All recognised Nigerian ethnic nationalities, communities, civil-society organisations, professional bodies, traditional institutions, women, youths, academics, business leaders and other stakeholders should have meaningful opportunities to present their perspectives.

At the same time, UNIEC cautions against allowing historical grievances to become instruments of permanent division.

“The elders do not gather the children around the family table to determine who should be driven away; they gather them to determine how the house can accommodate everyone in justice and peace.”

UNIEC'S ELDERLY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Council respectfully recommends that any eventual restructuring framework should address:

1. True fiscal federalism and equitable resource allocation.

2. Meaningful devolution of constitutional powers.

3. Effective protection of fundamental rights and private property.

4. A balanced, professional and accountable security architecture.

5. Independent and credible electoral and judicial institutions.

6. Regional economic autonomy accompanied by accountability.

7. Protection of ethnic, linguistic and cultural identities.

8. Lawful mechanisms for plebiscites and referenda where appropriate.

9. Modernisation of ports and national transportation infrastructure.

10. A comprehensive framework for national reconciliation and healing.

UNIEC further recommends that the restructuring process be conducted without ethnic hatred, intimidation, exclusion or violence, and that every proposal ultimately undergo broad national consultation and lawful constitutional procedures.

UNIEC'S INSTITUTIONAL POSITION

The Elderly Supreme Council therefore positively welcomes and commends the presentation of the Igbo position at the Abuja restructuring conference.

UNIEC's endorsement is principally directed toward the fundamental principles of justice, true federalism, equity, security, economic freedom, constitutional reform and peaceful restructuring.

The Council does not, however, consider every specific territorial, constitutional or administrative proposal conclusively settled. Such proposals should continue to undergo appropriate historical, legal, constitutional, demographic and national scrutiny.

Nigeria does not need a restructuring that merely changes the names of existing structures while preserving the weaknesses of the present system.

Nigeria needs a constitutional order that gives citizens security, dignity, opportunity, justice and a meaningful voice in government.

THE ELDERLY COUNSEL

“We did not inherit Nigeria merely to consume its inheritance; we hold it in trust for our children. Let us therefore restructure it without destroying it, strengthen it without denying justice to any nationality, and unite it without suppressing legitimate diversity.”

UNIEC commends the Igbo Delegation, CRN and the other participating civil-society and stakeholder groups for contributing to this important national conversation.

The Council encourages continued dialogue among Ndigbo and all Nigerian nationalities, because the ultimate objective must not be the triumph of one nationality over another.

It must be the emergence of a just, secure, prosperous and genuinely federal Nigeria in which every nationality and every citizen can live and develop with dignity.

Justice for all. Federalism with responsibility. Autonomy with accountability. Diversity with unity. Development with equity. Freedom with responsibility.

ONE NIGERIA — JUSTLY RESTRUCTURED, GENUINELY FEDERAL AND UNITED IN DIGNITY.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity

Advancing Humanity • Empowering Generations • Building a Greater Igbo Society

Issued under the Authority of the National Leadership

His Lordship, Bishop Justice Alpha Ikpeama Director-General (D-G) United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide

Institutional Position: Non-Partisan • Non-Sectarian • Constitutionally Guided • Peace-Oriented • Elder-Statesmanship Driven