Chairman for Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS) Prof Banji Akintoye has declared all lawful means would be deployed to ensure the 2023 polls do not hold unless the Federal Government agrees to hold a referendum for the aggrieved Indigenous Nationalities.

He stated the essence of the referendum is to decide whether Nigeria will continue to exist as a federation.

Akintoye, represented by Don Pedro Obaseki, spoke at a briefing on Tuesday in Lagos on behalf of the body.

In attendance at the briefing virtually and physically were Professor Banji Akintoye, Prof. Yusufu Turaki, Prof. Wale Adeniran, Dr Rotimi Olokodana, Barr. Tony Nnadi, Otunba Folashade Olukoya, Don Pedro Obaseki, Mr. Ogbo Awoke, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, ANIPR, Ms Jean Onaguluchi, others.

He stated: “Let it be sounded loud and clear that the immediate suspension of preparations towards general elections in 2023 is the most urgently required first aid to the Nigeria that is currently bleeding profusely from all sides.

“And for every single day, this emergency first aid is delayed, the risk of catastrophic implosion of Nigeria is exponentially increased.”

NINAS appealed to political parties to save Nigerians from slavery by refusing to submit candidates for the 2023 general elections to halt the 1999 Constitution.

It called for the complete abolition of the current 1999 Constitution, which it described as an agent of slavery and fraud, promoting injustice, under-development and impunity in the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria.

The body further argued after the proposed referendum, the people can decide on the constitution they want for themselves in their separate Nations or within the Nigerian federation.

It also called on those in Diaspora to troop out in solidarity to participate in the “one million march” being organised to hold in front of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) commencing from September 14- 24, 2021 in New York.

“If we halt the voyage to 2023 inside 2021, the 1999 Constitution will lose its life inside 2021, and we will immediately get into a transitioning and therefore on the way to regional referendums for Self-Determination.

“This is the safe route to freedom for all constituent blocs that are fed up with the toxic Nigerian union,” the body stated. (The Nation)

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