Jnr ex-SSA to Edo State Governor on Public Affairs
They consider restructuring as maintaining opposing and conflicting positions with the mainly ethnoreligious, sectional, geo-regional, and other personal interests over and above the Nigeria of their belief.
However, Mr. President knows what he is doing. The northern cabal knows the game they are playing. We need an original and truly certified census in Nigeria.
The majority of people from the South, East, West need restructuring. Restructuring is, therefore, seen by the north either as the end or as the success of their struggles to break away from the larger Nigeria.
Nigeria needs radical changes to survive, especially with the issue of devolution of powers, creation of state police, control of oil revenue, among others.
On the other hand, the elite from all the geopolitical parts of Nigeria has together found a safe and secured market and space for political popularity, access to state power and resources, as well as divide and rule.
More so, the authorities are fully aware of the legal bounds in doing anything outside constitutional framework and provisions.
The politics of restructuring in Nigeria maintains that ‘’anyone who claims to understand Nigeria is either deluded or a liar.
While the calls for restructuring, adoption of true/fiscal federalism, and so on have been on for long in Nigeria, such has been mainly seen from the perspective of those who are in the opposition or lost out in the political merchandise or dis-advantaged/marginalized in political power, resource sharing and control Agitation for restructuring must continue, except we are pushed to the wall.
Different regimes, while in power, have hardly supported the restructuring. They only play gimmicks and games. Only time will tell when the union called ‘Nigeria’ will cease to exist.
Political activistFor me, I feel Mr. President’s decision is acceptable for now. If we take a look at our already restructured institutions and how these institutions are being controlled by the states, then you will fear the idea of total restructuring.Take, for example, the case of the state version of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
You will see total abuse of powers by the states where only an incumbent party wins an election. Now, imagine if these set of power drunks take charge of state policing; they will no longer allow the voters to express themselves.So, I don’t truly believe in total restructuring. I only feel that, for us to ask for restructuring, let’s see how the already restructured institutions are being used and controlled by the states. The move to restructure is not borne out of genuine intention.
How many governors can dutifully give an account of their security votes? If you ask them, they won’t even listen to or answer you.
The governors are tin gods unto themselves. They are so powerful that they believe they are the alpha and omega. Instead of restructuring, there should be a complete review of the constitution that will clearly spell out how government and its institutions should be administered.
Omobayo Marvelous
Construction engineer
I am of the opinion that every state should harness its God-given resources, whether natural or human, to optimal capacity. They should then pay a certain percentage of that, maybe 20 percent, to the Federal Government.
The fact that the government at the center collects everything and redistributes is the major problem is why there is so much pressure at the center.
If only they can restructure, it will quicken the pace of development across the regions.
It will invoke the spirit of competition such that everyone will be willing to participate at all levels. The resources are too much for the Federal Government to control.
That is why there is so much urge to want to run to Abuja. States are now being lazy to think outside the box. It is creating a big problem and it should not have been. Most times, because these governors are not accountable to anyone, they behave the way they like.
If the way attention is being devoted to monitoring Federal Government policies is directed like that to the states, I can assure you that so much would have been achieved.
Every state is blessed with one form of resources or another. The allocations they collect are hardly accounted for, so, they have every reason to misbehave the way they like, and it is really disturbing.
Hon. Kingsley Topa Ogini
ex-LG councilor
Restructuring, to me, is a welcome development. So, I am totally on the side of the populace, as against the Federal Government. I believe we can restructure without breaking up the country. Our system of checks and balances is weak.
There is no disputing the fact that we have for too long been misdirected. At the snap of the finger, some states are in Abuja looking for a bailout.
If the country is properly restructured, a situation where they control their own natural resources, I want to believe that so much will be done with what they generate. The unity of Nigeria is key. No one should even think of dividing the country.
We are greater together as a people than when we are divided. Those countries who have gone their separate ways are still struggling with the issues they were not willing to face.
For how long will they continue to run? God has blessed this nation. Lots of countries are envying what has made us great to the extent we are.
We must never fall to their prey because we might not recover from it. We want a restructuring procedure that can generate good governance.
That is what I believe an average Nigerian needs.
Caretaker committee extension: Disquiet in APC
We have been dealt a severe blow without knowing by not focusing attention on what state governors do with the huge monies they collect every month.
Nigerians want to feel the essence of governance which adds value to lives. The level of hunger and poverty in the country is at an alarming rate.
