Countrymen, as you are all aware Nigeria has been crisis for
almost eighteen months. We have now reached a most critical phase were what is
at stake is the very survival of Nigeria as one political and economic unit. We
must rise to the challenge and what we do in the next few days will be
decisive. The whole world is witness to the continued defiance of federal
authority by the Government of the Eastern Region, the disruption of the
Railway, the Coal Corporation, the normal operations of the Nigerian Ports
Authority, the interference with the flight schedules of the Nigeria Airways
and other illegal acts by the Eastern Region Government culminating in the
edicts promulgated last month by that Government purporting to seize all
Federal revenues collected in the East. The consequence of these illegal sets has
been the increasing tempo towards total disintegration and possible civil war
and bloodshed on massive scale. In the face of all these, I have shown great
restraint, hoping that through peaceful negotiations a solution acceptable to
all sections of the country can be found. Unfortunately, the hopes of myself
and my other colleagues on the Supreme Military council have been disappointed
by the ever increasing campaign of hate by the governor of the Eastern Region.
Lt. Col Ojukwu has continuously increased his demands as soon as some are met
in order to perpetuate the crisis and lead the Eastern Region out of Nigeria.
We know very well the tragic consequences of such a misguided step. Not only
will the regions themselves disintegrate further, but before then, pushed by
foreign powers and mercenaries who will interfere, this dear country will be
turned into a bloody stage for chaotic and wasteful civil war. When the tragic
events of 15th January, 1966 occurred, the country acquiesced in the
installation of a Military Regime only because it desired that order and
discipline should be restored in her conduct of the affairs of his country,
that swift reforms will be introduced to produce just and honest Government, to
usher in stability and ensure fair treatment of all citizens in every part of
this country. The citizens of this country have not given the Military Regime
any mandate to divide up the country into sovereign states and to plunge them
into bloody disaster. As I have warned before, my duty is clear-faced with this
final choice between action to save Nigeria and acquiescence in secession and
disintegration. I am therefore proclaiming a State of Emergency throughout
Nigeria with immediate effect. I have assumed full powers as Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces and Head of the Federal Military Government for the short
period necessary to carry through the measures which are now urgently required.
In this period of emergency, no political statements in the Press, on the Radio
and Television and all publicity media or any other political activity, will be
tolerated. The Military and Police are empowered to deal summarily with any
offenders. Newspaper editors are particularly urged to co-operate with the authorities
to ensure the success of these measures. I have referred earlier to some
illegal acts of the Eastern Region Government. You all know that about one
third of the entire falling stock of the Nigerian Railways, including 115
oil-tankers, has been detained and that the services on the Eastern District of
the Nigerian railways have been completely disrupted for many months. You are
also aware of the fact that they have disrupted the direct movement of oil
products from the refinery near Port-Harcourt to the northern Region. They have
hindered the transit of goods to neighboring countries and have even seized
goods belonging to foreign countries. These acts have flagrantly violated
normal international practice and disturbed friendly relations with our neighbors.
That refinery is owned jointly by the Federal Government and Regional
governments. Illegally, since last year, the Authorities at Enugu have
interfered with the flight routes of the Nigeria Airways. Only recently they
committed the barbaric crime 0f hijacking a plane bound for Lagos from Benin.
They have placed a ban on the residence of non-Easterners in the Eastern Region
an action which is against the Constitution and the fundamental provisions of
our laws. They have continuously on the Press and radio incited the people of
eastern Region to hatred of other Nigerian peoples and they have indulged in
the crudest abuse of members of the Supreme Military Council, especially
myself. Despite all these, I have spread no effort to conciliate the East in recognition
of their understandable grievances and fears since the tragic incidents of
1966. To this end I agreed with my other colleagues on the Supreme Military
Council to the Promulgation of the Decree No.8 which completely decentralized
the government of this country and even went further than the Republican
Constitution as it existed before 15th January, 1966. But what has
been the response of the Eastern Region Government? Complete rejection of
Decree No.8 and insistence on it's separate existence as a sovereign unit. Only
recently, a group of distinguished citizens formed themselves into the National
Conciliation Committee. They submitted recommendations aimed at reducing
tension. These included the reciprocal abrogation of economic measures taken by
the Federal Military government and the seizures of Federal Statutory
Corporations and Federal revenue by the Eastern Government. These reciprocal
actions were to be taken within one week, that is by 25th May, 1967.
It is on record that I accepted the recommendations and issued instructions
effective from Tuesday, May 23. Indeed I now understand that certain vehicles
of the Posts and Telegraphs Department which went to the East in resumption of
services have been illegally detained in the Region. The response of the east
has been completely negative and they have continued their propaganda and
stage-managed demonstrations for “independence.” Fellow citizens, I recognize
however that the problem of Nigeria extends beyond the present misguided
actions of the Eastern Region Government. My duty is to all citizens. I propose
to treat all sections of the country with equality. The main obstacle to future
stability in this country is the present structural imbalance in the Nigerian
Federation. Even Decree No.8 or Confederation or Loose Association will never
survive if any one section of the country is in a position to hold the others
to ransom. This is why the item in the political and administrative programme
adopted by the Supreme Military Council last month is the creation of states as
a basis for stability. This must be done first so as to remove the fear of
domination. Representatives drawn from the new states will be more able to work
out the future constitution for this country which can contain provisions to protect
the powers of the states to the fullest extent desired by the Nigerian people.
As soon as these states are established, a new Revenue Allocation Commission
consisting of international experts will be appointed to recommend an equitable
formula for revenue allocation taking into account the desires of the states. I
propose to act faithfully within the political and administrative programme
adopted by the Supreme Military Council and published last month. The world
will recognize in these proposals our desire for justice and fair play for all
sections of this country and to accommodate all genuine aspirations of the
diverse people of this great country. I have ordered the re-imposition of the
economic measures designed to safeguard federal interests until such a time as
the Eastern Military Government abrogates it's illegal edicts on revenue
collection and the administration of the Federal Statutory Corporations based
in the East. The country has a long history of well-articulated demands for
states. The fears of minorities were explained in great detail and set out in
the report of the Willink Commission appointed by the British in 1958.
More
recently there has been extensive discussion in Regional Consultative
Committees and Leaders-of-Thought Conferences. Resolutions have been adopted
demanding the creation of states in the North and in Lagos. Petitions from
minority areas in the East which have been subjected to violent intimidation by
the Eastern Military Government have been widely publicized. While the present
circumstances regrettably do not allow for consultations through plebiscites, I
am satisfied that the creation of new states as the only possible basis for
stability and equality is the overwhelming desire of vast majority of
Nigerians. To ensure justice, these states are being created simultaneously. To
this end, therefore, I am promulgating a Decree which will divide the Federal
Republic into Twelve States. The twelve states will be six in the present
Northern Region, three in the present Eastern Region, the Mid-West will remain
as it is, the Colony Province of the Western Region and Lagos will form a new
Lagos State and the Western Region will otherwise remain as it is. I must
emphasize at once that the Decree will provide for a States Delimitation
Commission which will ensure that any divisions or towns not satisfied with the
states in which they are initially grouped will obtain redress. But in this
moment of serious National Emergency the co-operation of all concerned is
absolutely essential in order to avoid any unpleasant consequences.
The twelve new states, subject to marginal boundary
adjustments, will therefore be as follows: North-Western State comparing Sokoto
and Niger Provinces. North-Central State comprising Kastina and Zaria. Kano
State comprising the present Kano Province. North-Eastern State comprising
Bornu, Adamawa, Sarduana and Bauchi Provinces. Benue/Plateau State comprising
Benue and Plateau Provinces. Lagos State comprising the Colony Province and the
Federal Territory of Lagos. Western State comprising the present Western Region
but excluding the Colony Province. Mid-Western State comprising the present
Mid-Western State. East-Central State comprising the present Eastern Region
excluding Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers Provinces. South-Eastern State comprising Calabar , Ogoja Province. Rivers
State comprising Ahoada, Brass, Degema, Ogona and Port Harcourt Divisions. The
states will be free to adopt any particular names they choose in the future.
The immediate administrative arrangements of the new states
have been planned and the names of the Military Governors appointed to the new
states will be gazette shortly. The allocation of federally collected revenue
to the new states on an interim basis for the first few months has also been
planned. The successor states in each former region will share the revenue
until a more permanent formula is recommended by the new Revenue Allocation
Commission. It is my fervent hope that the existing regional Authorities will
co-operate fully to ensure the smoothest possible establishment of the new
states. It is also my hope that the need to use force to support any new state
will not arise. I am; however, ready to protect any citizens of this country
who are subject to intimidation or violence in the course of establishment of
these new states.
My dear countrymen, the struggle ahead is for the well-being
of the present and future generations of Nigerians. If it were possible for us
to avoid chaos and civil war merely by drifting apart as some people claim that
easy choice may be taken. But we know that to take such a course will quickly
lead to the disintegration of the existing regions in condition of chaos and to
disastrous forging interference. We now have to adopt the courageous course of
facing the fundamental problem that has plagued this country since the early
50s. There should be no recrimination. We must all resolves to work together.
It is my hope that those who disagreed in the past with the Federal Military
Government through genuine misunderstanding and mistrust will now be convinced
of our purpose and be willing to come back and let us plan and work together
for the realization of the Political and Administrative programme of the
Supreme Military Council, and for the early restoration of full civilian rule
in circumstances which would enhance just and honest and patriotic government.
I appeal to the genral public to continue to give their
co-operation to the Federal Military Government; to go about their normal
business peacefull; to maintain harmony with all communities wherever they
live; to respect all the directives of the Government including directives
restricting the movements of people while the emergency remains. Such
directives are of their own protection and in their own interest. Let us
therefore, march manfully together to alter the course of this nation once
again for all and to place it on the path of progress, unity and equality. Let
us so act that future generations of Nigerians will praise us for our
resolution and courage in this critical stage of our country’s history.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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