Deputy President of the Senate,Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, says restructuring Nigeria is inevitable for all-inclusive advantages it will confer on federating units and enhancement of national unity.

Ekweremadu stated this at a two-day Retreat by Southern Senators Forum in Calabar on Friday, and dismissed the fear in certain quarters that restructuring would cause the break-up of the country.

He explained that restructuring was not the same as exclusive resource control as the renewed and aggressive search for oil around the Lake Chad, Sokoto and Benue River Basins in recent times appeared to suggest.

According to him, whereas federating units will have more control over their resources in a restructured Nigeria, there would always be an Equalisation Fund to ensure that every region thrives above a reasonable threshold.“In fact, oil and gas is among the least strategic endowments of the nation today and in the years ahead. Oil is fast losing its import in the global economy.“Many of the heavy buyers are not only finding alternatives to oil, but are also setting deadlines for the phasing out of oil-powered engines and automobiles.“But, what else can cure our fixation on oil except a return to the original master plan – the quest for a return to the oldcovenant and original foundation laid by the country’sforefathers.“This quest is to revive the original master plan, removing those ugly and excess weights introduced by successive military regimes.“It is an admission that we cannot continue to do the same thing that has failed us for more than half a century and expect a different result.“

If you are driving to Abuja from Ibadan and you face Lagos, you can only end up in Badagry or the Atlantic,’’ he said.

The lawmaker pointed out that the subject of restructuring appeared to have had divided opinions.He recalled that Nigeria’s independence was delayed till 1960 to give room for more dialogue and ensure that no part of the country was left behind.He explained that it was wisdom of the founding father's that ensured that the current map of Nigeria was retained.

Ekweremadu said that there was no other viable option than restructuring if Nigeria must reap the blessings and promises of self-rule.According to him, it must be done in a way that every part of the country will have a true sense of belonging.
He urged Nigerians to embark on more responsible and patriotic public discourse and enlightenment to break down the meaning and processes of restructuring, saying that the fears inherent in restructuring needed to be addressed.“

I believe that the man from Zamfara is unlikely to stand against a return to true federalism if he is made to understand that such would allow the state to exploit the abundant gold and granite in the state.

“The woman from Kogi will not likely oppose restructuring if she understands how rich the state is in solid minerals such as coal, iron ore, ornamental stone, gemstone, limestone, feldspar, phosphate, mica, and granite.“And, how restructuring the country will give the state constitutional access to those mineral deposits could transform Kogi to one of the richest states in the country.“

The man from the North-East will not likely oppose decentralised policing if he understands that his family andbusiness will be better protected,’’ he said.

The deputy senate president said the Nigeria Police Force needed to be decentralised as a significant component of the envisaged restructuring exercise.

He said the rating of International Police Association and the Institute for Peace and Security of Nigeria Police as the worst police in the world called to mind the imperative of restructuring of the nation’s police.He pointed out that the rating had been the worst on all the measured parameters becausethe police had not been effectively decentralised.He said, “Nigeria is the only country in the world with a federal system of government but running a unitary system of policing.“

Again, it is not realistic to expect the North to easily give away the advantages the status quo confers on it.“Since revenues, appointments,projects, and other various opportunities are shared mainly on the basis of states and local governments, we will not realistically expect the region to give up the numerous states and local governments it currently enjoys.“

We will not expect the region to give up all these to embrace regionalism or creation of more states to strike a structural balance.“But, we stand better chances if we engage in good faith, responsible and respectful dialogue to make every section of the country to see the bigger picture.“Such healthy dialogues will also show that a man cannot enjoy his perceived advantages when his neighbours are angry since a man who feels unjustly treated will never be interested in peace.’’Ekweremadu said that restructuring could only be addressed by adopting a piecemeal approach rather than seeking to do everything or so much at a go.

According to him, as the people begin to reap the gains of gradual restructuring, they will drop their fears and crave for more.He said that if some Nigerians insisted on addressing all the issues at once, it would create the grounds for the suspicion that there was a hidden agenda.“

Interestingly, quite a number of prominent voices in the North have also thrown their weights behind the restructuring of the country. I am sure that many will join in due course.“We must leverage on the influence of those who are on the same page with us on the vexed matter.“This is having at the back of our mind a restructuring outcome that guarantees our indivisibility and promotes national integration.“A restructuring that will guarantee our unity and national integration must address the issue of power rotation among the constituent parts of the country.’’

He called for the devolution of powers to make the centre lessattractive as well as a single-term presidency that would rotate among the geographical zones.The legislator said that such may prove reassuring to ethnic groups and promote national unity and loyalty to the nation, while constituent parts would be reassured that power wouldcome at a given interval.

He commended the forum for raising the standard of ongoingnational debate on restructuring, adding that he was impressed by the aptness and auspiciousness of the theme of the retreat – National Unity and Restructuring.He said: “As we sit back to listen to the erudite minds heregathered, and as we share ideas, let patriotism and dedication to a better and greater Nigeria, rule.“Let us bear in mind that we cannot restructure without unity, and certainly that restructuring will better guarantee a united and prosperous Nigeria.“So, we should never fear to restructure and we should not restructure in fear.’’


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/restructuring-nigeria-inevitable-ekweremadu/?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C2537824711

K

It is only a matter of time and the beneficiaries of the current system know it already.
That's why the northern governors and leader are increasing the drive for oil exploration up north. Our resource is hardly increasing but the number of mouths waiting on it is bound to double every 50 years, at this rate we clearly cannot cope with this elite-serving structure we are holding onto.
The indices are failing in every sector. Health, transport, education. Name it. It is same story.

This plot of land is for sale

I want to donate the money made from this land to Brown Roof republic. So they can build toilet n stop putting us in the world ranking of defecations..

Rem. Don't forget to pray for Yoruba Race

They are dying of Rat poison after shouting Sai Baba last two years.

Pray, for their head, so miners won't see head to mine..

Joephat:
This plot of land is for sale

I want to donate the money made from this land to Brown Roof republic. So they can build toilet n stop putting us in the world ranking of defecations..

Rem. Don't forget to pray for Yoruba Race

They are dying of Rat poison after shouting Sai Baba last two years.

Pray, for their head, so miners won't see head to mine..

Sai change

O nyiri APC have spoken.
They dont even know the meaning of ike

... and this idiot never realised this for 16 years PDP ruled Nigeria ? Some of these politicians deserve to be stoned to death.

ayokellany:
... and this idiot never realised this for 16 years PDP ruled Nigeria ? Some of these politicians deserve to be stoned to death.

To be stoned to death simply because he requested for restructuring.


What of the politicians who cried for sovereign national Congress in the 90s but today are saying Nigeria does not need it ,such people are the people that need to be stoned

kettykin:


To be stoned to death simply because he requested for restructuring.

To be stoned to death because he had 16 years to do a thing about it but did nothing only to start making noise when he obviously can not do a thing about it. That is why he deserve to be stoned to death simply put for trying to fool us.

ebukahandsome:
O nyiri APC have spoken.
They dont even know the meaning of ike

Haha haba

Again, it is not realistic to expect the North to easily give away the advantages the status quo confers on it.“Since revenues, appointments,projects, and other various opportunities are shared mainly on the basis of states and local governments, we will not realistically expect the region to give up the numerous states and local governments it currently enjoys.“

We will not expect the region to give up all these to embrace regionalism or creation of more states to strike a structural balance.

Exactly! Why would the North, particularly the core North give up all the advantages they have built up over the years under military and civilian Goverments just because Southern Nigeria wants restructuring?

Why? So people actually think that Kano will give up their 44 local governments in which they gain mutiple allocations? Not now or never

“But, we stand better chances if we engage in good faith, responsible and respectful dialogue to make every section of the country to see the bigger picture.“Such healthy dialogues will also show that a man cannot enjoy his perceived advantages when his neighbours are angry since a man who feels unjustly treated will never be interested in peace

Ekweremadu is just a dreamer, just like all those in the south of Nigeria who are asking or clamouring for restructuring.

When the core North says no to restructuring, what will you people do? You are angry that you dont have restructuring, what will you do?

Everyone knows they will all do nothing. They can never be radicals like Ojukwu or Nnamdi Kanu, so what is the alternative? Nothing

People asking for restructuring in Nigeria are just those who havent come to terms with the fact that the core North have made Nigeria their personal property.

Of course.
It's only a matter of time.
Good ideas don't die easily especially when it's consistently discussed.

Only a superior arrangement can stop it.

nonsense,asking for the impossible,somebody,somewhere in the east,was hitting the polity,forcing every region to rise to their challenges,ibadan decrelation by yoruba,from middle belt to niger delta,everybody speaking against the status quo,instead of protecting the movement,you eastern coward politicians,collided with nigeria no one terrorist,invaded his house,today everything has died off.

IN RESOURCE CONTROL I STAND

if u don't achieve restructuring, don't ever rate yourself with nnamdi kanu

sometimes I wonder why cow rearers are the shot callers in this shithole

Yes, I believe.
"If we cannot resolve this nation (Nigeria), we dissolve it"... Ikemba Ojukwu

One day will be one day.