…canvasses true federalism

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has decried that the Federal Republic of Nigeria as currently constituted is not working, saying greater autonomy to states is the panacea to the country’s multi-faceted internal crisis.

Atiku’s spoke on Tuesday, at the official launch of “We Are All Biafrans”, a new book written by activist, journalist and scholar, Chido Onumah, in Abuja.

Atiku, who was Nigeria’s vice-president between 1999-2007, said Nigerians have suffered for too long under a poorly-designed structure.

H said: “Nigeria is not working, as well as it should, And part of the reason is the poor way we have structured our economy and governance especially since 1960.”

The former Vice President said the federal government’s powers dwindle those of states, consequently making it difficult for states to carry out customised initiatives for their individual residents, a situation he said “needs to change”.

“The federal government is too big and too powerful relative to the federating units. “That situation needs to change and calling for that change is patriotic,” he opined.

Atiku also urged Nigerians to desist from labeling those clamouring for a weak center in Nigeria’s political system.

“We must refrain from assuming that anyone calling for restructuring of our federation is working for the breakup of our country. Absolutely not. And I reject that notion,” he said.

The APC chieftain who chaired the book launch, said the federal government can not foster national unity even with its enormous power, adding that it is worsening the country’s circumstances.

His words: “An excessively powerful centre does not equate to national unity. Absolutely not. If anything, it has made our unity more fragile, our government more unstable and our country more unsafe. We must renegotiate our union in other to make it strong.”

Mr. Atiku, therefore, urged Nigerians to embrace a restructured Nigeria, saying it will also reduce the importance politicians place on elections into federal positions.

His words: “Greater autonomy, power and resources for state and local authority will give the federations units greater freedom and flexibility to address local issues for their priorities and peculiarities. It will reduce the premium placed on capturing power at the centre. It will reduce insecurity. It will promote healthy rivalry amongst federations units.”

Meanwhile, Chido Onumah, the author of “We Are All Biafrans”, said the book took him three years to put together.

The launch was attended by former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, civil society leaders, Jubrin Ibrahim and Nnimo Bassey.

The book, which explains how the agitation for Biafra is actually a metaphor for all the tribes in the country, was reviewed by Chidi Odinkalu, a professor of law and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission.

mrvitalis:
There is a constitutional amendment going on right?? Why not hold ur repsentatives to make sure resources control is included and it's even headed by the deputy Senate president who is from the east

There is always a right, peaceful and logical way of doing things

omenka:
Watch it- the Lost Children of Uganda will forget he's an "illiterate gworo chewing almajiri raising Abok! from the North" and agree hook line and sinker with every alphabet of the words he's uttered, because in their little minds, this is a statement critical of FG and by extension Buhari.

Montaque:

Tell bubu to implement the confab report. Lets start from there, before looking at the mathematically incorrect legislooters for help

sweetilicious:
This is why the Confab report should be implemented if Nigeria still wants to be one. I love Nigeria but it is not working. Inequality is the root cause of unrest in this country. Proudly an IPOB member.

freeze001:



I pray for the day u will find peace in ur heart and grow up. Get ur head out of the sand or ur butt crack, whichever stinks worse, and smell the coffee! It is go the advantage of all and d entity called Nigeria, to renegotiate our terms of existence and ensure devolution of powers to the federating units.

A real patriot actually interested in seeing Nigeria work would never oppose this with the extreme alternative being a total dissolution into 2 or as many sovereign nations. Too much power at the center is what has led to the deadly do or die politics practiced in this country.

Take some time out, assimilate this fact and stop living and breathing Buhari/APC.

Luckylife:
Former president Ebele Jonathan have already don that by organising the national conference. All the major problems we face now were discuss and solutions were discuss and finalised. All must support or force the present government to implement the national comfab resolutions.

mrvitalis:

How can he implement it? ? Is he the national assembly?? The Confab according to Jonathan was supposed to be a guide for the constitutional amendment

So please tell ur repsentatives

Candyrain:


U seem to be tormented by some unknown forces. U should go for deliverance so u don't kick the bucket early. Just an advice.

dearpreye:


A new hope seemed to swell within me as I patiently read through the huge 2014 Confab Report . Every sincere Nigerian knows Nigeria must be restructured for it work better; the current structure is counter productive, corrupt and suffocating.

A genuine restructuring will drown all these secessionist voices and tendencies. A bigger Nigeria is better for us all; a restructured Nigeria is even better for us all. But till then, I'll keep supporting any group or tribe that wants to get the hell out of the current Nigeria.

Luckylife:
Former president Ebele Jonathan have already don that by organising the national conference. All the major problems we face now were discuss and solutions were discuss and finalised. All must support or force the present government to implement the national comfab resolutions.

omenka:
Lmao. Methinks I'm the one tormenting some people who can't seem to do without quoting me. Must hurt real badly. Too bad I can't help yall out of your misery since it is self inflicted. All you need to do is ignore my comment, make yours, and walk the Bleep ahead, but Noooooooo!! You just can't do so can you?

omenka:
Watch it- the Lost Children of Uganda will forget he's an "illiterate gworo chewing almajiri raising Abok! from the North" and agree hook line and sinker with every alphabet of the words he's uttered, because in their little minds, this is a statement critical of FG and by extension Buhari.

We've always been pro true federalism and resource control because it is indeed a panacea to the myriad of problems buffeting our nascent democracy/economy since independence. Let the FG control the Army, protecting our sovereignty, while the economy is principally controlled by the states. That is what we have always wanted. But what we would always be against is some group of persons trying to blackmail/intimidate the FG into doing their bidding regardless of its propriety.

When people like Atiku start making statements like this, I tend to get very suspicious because he's occupied such position as to have greatly influenced the FG into taking serious steps towards the realisation of this lofty aspiration- what stopped him from doing so back then?? Would he do the same if he becomes the president tomorrow?? Hell, is this statement meant to warm him up to some people given that PDP has zoned their party's ticket to the North?? Is he being truly altruistic or cunning??

Only time will tell.

Candyrain:


Hahahaha, actually for u to take time to type about this people u so love to hate, it means u always think about them. I can't imagine how much they torment ur soul, torment ur very existence. Keep it up boy, its good to know they are always in ur thought tormenting and frustrating u. Lolzzzz