Engage separatists, Falana Urges FG

By Godwin Onyemaechi

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Femi Falana on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to engage various separatists groups in the country rather than declaring war on them.

Falana made the appeal while speaking at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Special Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Lagos.

The legal luminary, who came to speak on behalf of a group, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), said that such engagement would douse tensions and agitations across the country.

“We are suggesting that the Federal government should enter into meaning dialogue with all separatists groups so that perceived injustice can be addressed, this is the only way to guarantee peace in the country,” he said.

Falana urged the members of the National Assembly to take over the control of the nation’s economy and ensure that every spending go through appropriation.

“Right now, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the IMF and World Bank has taken over the control of the economy of the country.

“We want to appeal to you, don’t allow the Executives to withdraw money from the Federation account to another account without appropriation of the National Assembly,” he added.

Falana stressed the need for the National Assembly to ensure the Social Security Bill worked to tackle some of the security challenges facing the nation.
According to him, the country has to address unemployment and take care of the unemployed so that the rich could sleep with their two eyes closed.

Also speaking at the public hearing, Prof. Festus Olubodun of the Voices for Food Security called for the quick passage of the long-standing bill on food as a human right in Nigeria.

Olubodun said: “We respectfully demand the passage of the Right to Food Bill now before the expiration of the present Assembly.

“We are here today, with our message coded in the document herewith delivered to political aspirants, titled: The Hungry And The Rest Of Us A Food Security And Right To Food Manifesto For Nigeria.”

According to him, food is a fundamental human right not just a mere human need and it is a Universal Human Right to tackle some of the security challenges.

In her remarks, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives and Chairman of Committee assured all stakeholders that their submissions and recommendations would be looked into.

reports that the public hearing was well attended by various groups and association, professional bodies and traditional rulers among others.