…Akinrinade, Senator Ben Muray-Bruce call for reforms
The campaign to restructure Nigeria’s federating units gathered momentum
with groups staging protest marches at the Embassies of United States,
Germany and Italy.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Pan-Yoruba Socio-cultural group,
Afenifere, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku among
others have repeatedly called for a restructuring of Nigeria’s federating
units in order to ensure justice and equity.
Atiku had said Tuesday that restructuring Nigeria would address
“agitations by many right-thinking Nigerians, who call for a restructuring
and a renewal of our federation to make it less centralised, less
suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of
our country’s constituent units and localities”.
Led by the Nigerian National Summit Group, the protesters were received by
US, German and Italian Embassy officials in Lagos on behalf of their
governments and handed the groups’ demands contained in a petition to
them.
Speaking to newsmen, Executive Secretary of NNSG, Tony Uranta, urged
President Buhari to also implement the recommendation of the 2014 National
Conference which addressed part of the demands.
“A lot of work went into producing that report drafted by seasoned
Nigerians from different parts of the country. We cannot sit and watch
this nation crumble when we have a workable solution that could set the
nation on the part of greater development,” he said.
“Restructuring is the only solution we can use to right the wrongs. There
is a lot of dissatisfaction among the different ethnic groups and regions
and we are saying that the National Conference report of 2014 should be
implemented,” said its Head of Research and Strategy, Efiye Brefina,
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum also spoke in the same direction.
“We are calling for the restructuring of Nigeria because that is the only
thing that will set us on the right path. We think the 2014 confab report
would provide ample guidance for the restructuring of the country,” said
the National Secretary of the group, Ahmed Suleiman.
Reports quoted Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) as backing Atiku’s call for
restructuring.
‘‘There is a feeling that the North enjoys local government and state
creation and all the money coming from the Federal Government goes to them
to the detriment of the South and others.
“But it’s good to hear Atiku talk about political restructuring and fiscal
policy. That kind of thought is good whether he is sincere about it or it
is in the light of the 2019 presidency”.
Senator Ben Murray Bruce from Bayelsa State also made a similar call on
his twitter handle.
“It is becoming imperative to reform Nigeria to reflect the current
realities. Can we afford a bicameral legislature and 36 state assemblies?
I doubt!’’, he said.