Prominent elder statesmen operating under the umbrella of Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS) have warned the international community against giving the Nigerian government more loans.
Prominent among the 129-member association include the former chief of general staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd); former governor of Plateau State, Mr. Jonah Jang, renowned historian and Second Republic senator, Prof. Banji Akintoye; former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Nnia Nwodo and a university teacher, Prof Yusuf Turaki.
In a press statement, the group warned the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations, African Union, European Union, United States, French, Chinese and British governments against lending fresh loans to the federal government, saying “Nigeria is now a disputed project.”
The statement signed by the group’s chairman, steering committee, Ms Folashade Olukoya, “News reaching the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS), says that the Nigerian government has taken on further loans.
“Again, we remind the international community that Nigeria is now a disputed project. This was articulated in our press conference of December 16, 2020, when we declared a Constitutional Force Majeure.
“Subsequent activities as articulated at press conferences of March 17, 2021, and April 17, 2021 emphasise that Nigeria remains a disputed project. Knowing this and lending to a disputed project can only be considered negligence.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the indigenous nations will not, and cannot be expected to repay such loans or allow their assets to be used as collateral to offset the loans.”
