UNIEC WITHDRAWS EARLIER SUPPORT FOR CRN RESTRUCTURING PROPOSALS, CALLS FOR FULL VERIFICATION, BROAD CONSULTATION AND CONSTITUTIONAL CLARITY. “Let the facts be established. Let the documents speak. Let justice guide rest

Let the facts be established. Let the documents speak. Let justice guide restructuring.”

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

OFFICIAL ELDERLY CLARIFICATION AND WITHDRAWAL OF EARLIER SUPPORT FOR THE CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY/CRN RESTRUCTURING PROPOSALS

JUSTICE FOR ALL • HARMONY NATIONWIDE

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

The Supreme Elderly Council of the United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide, following further consideration of the reported Citizens for Restructured Nigeria (CRN)/Citizens’ Assembly on Restructuring of Nigeria and the position presented as the Igbo Delegation's contribution, wishes to make this clarification in the interest of truth, institutional responsibility and the protection of the collective interests of Ndigbo.

UNIEC Worldwide hereby withdraws, pending further verification, any earlier expression that may be interpreted as formal endorsement or institutional support for the said conference, its organisers, its broader restructuring programme or the specific proposals attributed to the Igbo Delegation.

This should not be interpreted as a rejection of restructuring as a legitimate subject of national dialogue. Rather, it reflects the responsible position that UNIEC cannot formally endorse proposals that it has not sufficiently examined, verified and understood.

WHY VERIFICATION IS NECESSARY

The Council considers it necessary to obtain greater clarity concerning the precise aims, objectives, organisational structure, composition, membership, decision-making process, funding, methodology and proposed implementation framework of the CRN/Citizens’ Assembly initiative.

Questions also remain concerning the relationship between the broader CRN platform and those described as the Igbo Delegation, including the authority and process by which they were constituted to present an Igbo position.

UNIEC therefore considers it premature to regard the proposals as the universally authorised or definitive position of Ndigbo.

As elders teach:

«“The elder does not follow every crowd because the crowd is moving; he first asks where the road leads and who marked the road.”»

WHAT UNIEC SEEKS TO VERIFY

The Council respectfully calls for the relevant original documents and records to be made available for examination, including:

1. The established identity, mandate and organisational framework of CRN/Citizens’ Assembly; 2. The complete list and credentials of participating organisations and delegates; 3. The authority and process through which the Igbo Delegation was constituted; 4. The complete aims and objectives of the restructuring initiative; 5. Its constitutional, political, economic, security and territorial implications; 6. The methodology for determining representation of ethnic nationalities and affected communities; 7. The proposed process for achieving national consensus and consent; and 8. The legal and constitutional mechanism and timetable for implementation.

RESTRUCTURING REMAINS A LEGITIMATE NATIONAL QUESTION

UNIEC Worldwide remains committed to justice, equity, true federalism, responsible devolution of powers, security, economic development and national harmony.

The Council recognises that Nigerians, including Ndigbo, have every right to participate peacefully in discussions concerning the future structure of Nigeria. Recent reporting confirms that the Citizens’ Assembly/CRN discussions have focused on greater regional autonomy, fiscal federalism and constitutional restructuring.

However, proposals affecting constitutional arrangements, communities, resources, security and territorial administration require historical evidence, legal scrutiny, broad consultation, transparency and demonstrable consent.

UNIEC respects the right of the identified Igbo delegates to express their views, but a document presented as an “Igbo position” should not automatically be treated as the universally authorised position of Ndigbo Worldwide without appropriate consultation and verification.

THE ELDERLY COUNSEL

Our position is therefore one of responsible caution, not hostility.

«“When elders are shown a new road, they do not reject it because it is new; neither do they enter it without first knowing where it leads.”»

Accordingly, UNIEC Worldwide withdraws its earlier support until the necessary information, documents, objectives, representation and proposals are made available and independently verified.

The Council remains willing to examine credible materials objectively and to engage constructively with any genuine national initiative that promotes justice, equity, peace, constitutional order and the legitimate interests of all Nigerians.

Let the facts be established. Let the documents speak. Let representation be verified. Let consultation be broad. Let the Constitution be respected. Let justice guide restructuring. Let peace guide our dialogue.

The responsibility of elders is not to endorse every proposal, but to protect truth, preserve unity and safeguard the interests of generations yet unborn.

ONE PEOPLE. ONE HERITAGE. MANY VOICES. ONE COLLECTIVE DESTINY.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

Issued under the Authority of the Supreme Elderly Council

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