We, the participants at the webinar titled Nigeria at Crossroad – Way Forward Out of our Mental Slavery, organized by the Nigerian Global Roundtable, on July 24, 2021, resolved to issue the following communique:

1. That the state governors should be held accountable for the lack of progress and development in their respective states.
2. That Members of the Southern House of Assembly and Senators in the Nigerian National Assembly should be held accountable for not representing the interests of their constituencies conscientiously but instead placing their political parties above their people. The Senators that are not performing should be recalled.
3. That Nigerians should take their destiny into their own hands by participating in sensitization and mobilization activities such as a one-day monthly sit-at-home protest until the government takes the yearnings for restructuring and resource control seriously. Hashtag #Last Friday of the Month for our Future# or #First Day of the Month for our Future#
4. That the only way to curtail election rigging and usher in people who have the people’s interests both at the state and federal levels is to insist on a free and fair election starting at the primary levels and by implementing the reforms, including the introduction of electronic voting and transmission.
5. That Nigeria as agreed upon by her founding fathers and stipulated in the 1963 constitution died in 1966. Therefore, Nigeria formally seized to exist. A new Nigeria has to be negotiated that takes her diverse people and interests into consideration.
6. Given Nigeria’s diverse nature and complexity, the only way Nigeria can be governed properly and taken to the path of development is the return to the agreement as negotiated by her founding fathers and stipulated in the 1963 constitution.
7. That those calling for restructuring across the country have to synergize better to enlighten the people about their commonality to free the country from its current stranglehold from a class not interested in the development of the people.
8. That the police need to be sensitized that when they protect the interest of the people and not politicians, they are protecting their interests and that of their unborn generations.
9. That the fundamentals of democracy are the rights to protest, associate and free expression. There is no democracy without these rights being guaranteed and protected.
10. That there is nothing sacrosanct about Nigeria as currently configured that it cannot be renegotiated. That the Nigerian situation is urgently calling for renegotiation as the only way to move forward.
11. That the current rulers of Nigeria have to realize that power is transient and should learn to listen to Nigerians.
12. That the bargain between Nigeria and the sovereigns to keep the people from harm in exchange for allegiance and taxation – a quid pro quo has broken down.
13. That Nigerians are inexorably being pushed into a North-South dichotomy, whereas the issues are larger than that and affect all equally. They are about equity, justice and how we can best live in peace and develop as a diverse people.
14. That the perceived dominance of the security apparatus of Nigeria by persons from only one section of the country does not augur well for the unity of the country and leads to poor performance. Therefore, this should be re-visited.
15. That history subject must be reintroduced to our secondary school curriculum, as people who do not know their history are likely to repeat past mistakes.
16. That the many policies of the current administration are driving many Nigerians deeper and deeper into poverty, hunger and desperation.
17. That the anti-corruption agencies should be more decisive and courageous in their fights against corruption and corrupt leaders.
18. That our scarce resources should only be expended on initiatives that impact the welfare of the masses.
19. That people of conscience from all parts of Nigeria should join in the efforts to take Nigeria in the right direction.

Signed
Dr. Jones Edobor,
Barrister Dele Farotimi,
Prof Hope Eghagha,
Engr. Alexander Neyin,
Dr Akin Fapohunda,
Madam Oti Ayenbi