•Declares solidarity with Agubuzu-led group

THE Abasi People Foundation (APF) has rejected the proposed Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council while formally declaring its solidarity with Igbo traditional rulers, prominently championed by Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom of Enugu State, Dr Lawrence Agubuzu.

In a statement signed Friday by the President of the Foundation, Dr Victor Udo, the Foundation unequivocally condemned any regional structure formed without democratic legitimacy and demanded equal representation for both the Igbo and Abasi nationalities in any southern traditional or governance framework.

The APF emphasized the rights of the Abasi people described as the indigenous populations comprising the Ibibio, Annang, Oro, Efik, Obolo, Eket, Ekoi and other constituent communities that formed the Abasi nationality.

According to the statement, these groups are bound by a distinct shared heritage, culture and sovereign identity.

The Foundation maintained that no traditional or regional council can claim moral or civic authority if it sidelines indigenous populations or imposes an artificial hierarchy, where absolute equality is required.

“Unity cannot be legislated through exclusion. Any structure that reproduces historical marginalization under the guise of regional integration undermines its own legitimacy. Traditional institutions must reflect the will, identity and dignity of the people they claim to represent”, the Foundation said.

The APF further expressed concern over what it termed, the enduring architectural flaws of the 1914 amalgamation framework’, arguing that more than a century later, the model has continued to entrench artificial North–South divisions and centralize power rather than fostering a truly cooperative federation of ethnic nationalities.

According to the Foundation, “Nigeria’s stability and future prosperity depends on recognizing all its diverse peoples including the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Abasian, Kanuri, Ijaw, Fulani, Nupe, Jukun, Tiv, Bini and their associated communities as co-equal partners in governance.

“To safeguard equity and justice, the Abasi People Foundation demand immediate suspension and a halt to any Southern Traditional Council initiative or process that fails to guarantee full democratic inclusion and equal representation for the Abasi and Igbo peoples.

“It also demands equal recognition – unconditional acknowledgement of the Abasi and Igbo nationalities as equal stakeholders in all southern governance and traditional platforms.”

The group is equally seeking a renewed national dialogue aimed at transitioning toward a confederal structure in which all ethnic nationalities can govern themselves cooperatively, with dignity and autonomy.

The Foundation warned that Nigeria cannot move forward on a foundation of exclusion, stressing that “justice demands representation, peace requires equality and development begins with dignity.” (The Guardian)