Prominent Nigerians, including the immediate past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Thursday said there was an urgent need to restructure  Nigeria for it to attain its full potential.

They made the call at the 18th Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme: ‘Restructuring in Nigeria: Why? How? When?’

The prominent Nigerians suggested that the country should be restructured to make Nigeria work for all citizens.

But in an interview with The PUNCH, the President’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said it was only the National Assembly that was empowered to restructure the country.

He, therefore, advised proponents of restructuring to approach the legislature.

On his part, the Spokesman for the Senate,  Ajibola Basiru, described restructuring as a slogan.

He called on advocates of restructuring, who had submitted memoranda to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review to meet their senators with a view to educating them better on the type of restructuring they were advocating.

In his remarks at the summit, Nwodo said, “We must restructure to revamp our agriculture. When I speak of restructuring, some of my northern Nigerian friends have suggested to me that I do not want the North to partake in the oil revenue of Nigeria.

“Well, I have just outlined the indisputable fact that oil is a fast-drying resource for earning foreign exchange. The truth is that the reliable source of revenue now is agriculture

The Netherlands is today the largest exporter of food in the world. Its cross-sectional area is about half the size of Niger State. It is the world’s largest exporter of potatoes. Its revenue from vegetables and dairy contributes more than $100bn annually to its economy. The secret is education, better mechanised farming, growth of green farm technology, drone monitoring systems and land reclamation by building of dams.

“Northern Nigeria is Nigeria’s greatest treasure in agriculture. Northern Nigeria is blessed with diverse livestock production with its capacity for dairy production. It has various tubers of potatoes, yam, cassava and cocoyam.

“Under a restructured Nigeria, Northern Nigeria will earn more from food production than the Netherlands. We must restructure because our current electoral system is dysfunctional and does not elicit confidence.”

Nwodo also said restructuring would address insecurity in the country.

He stated, “We must restructure to reduce insecurity in our country. While I was working on this speech on Monday, 18 January 2021, I paused to read the news for the day. I saw the following headlines: Bandits kill octogenarian, 14 others in Zamfara, Kaduna attacks.

Cops arrest Police Sergeant for robbery in Port Harcourt; Robbers kill 22-year-old IT prodigy in Lagos; Gunmen hack Catholic priest to death, kidnap brother in Niger State, Bandits abduct 17 persons in Niger State. All these in one day.”

While making a case for state police, the elder statesman said modern philosophy for security is local policing.

On when Nigeria should be restructured, Nwodo said, “We must do all we can to restructure before the next election in 2023 because the level of dissatisfaction in the country as evidenced by the last #EndSARS protest gives one the impression that any delay may lead to a mass boycott or disruption of the next elections to the point that we may have a more serious constitutional crisis of a nation without a government.

“To restructure, Nigeria we need a constitutional conference of the ethnic groups in Nigeria. To use the current National Assembly as the forum for constitutional amendments grants a recognition of the overthrow of our democratic norms by the enthronement of a military constitution by which they are composed.”

N’Assembly, not Buhari, is empowered to restructure Nigeria –Presidency

Shehu said those agitating for restructuring of the country should approach the National Assembly for a change in constitution.

He said only the parliament was empowered to effect a change in the nation’s structure or constitution.

Shehu urged those clamouring for restructuring to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional amendment in the National Assembly.

He said, “Our position on the call for restructuring has not changed.

“People are calling it restructuring, the ruling party, APC, and the government call it devolution.

Whichever name you call it, the government is not opposed to it. What we are saying is that the parliament is the body empowered by law to effect any change in the nation’s structure.

“The process of constitution review is ongoing in the National Assembly now. We advise proponents of restructuring to approach the parliament and take advantage of the opportunity that ongoing process offers.

Source: https://punchng.com/calls-for-restructuring-go-to-nassembly-presidency-tells-acf-nwodo-adebanjo-as-agitation-spreads/

He, therefore, advised proponents of restructuring to approach the legislature.

---

Whichever name you call it, the government is not opposed to it. What we are saying is that the parliament is the body empowered by law to effect any change in the nation’s structure.

Shikena!

God bless Nigeria.

National Assembly that is in Presidency pocket.

Yeyenotu

Charmingrascal:


National Assembly that is in Presidency pocket.

Yeyenotu

My brother, you come quote everything just to post this?

Nigeria go better.

I said it.

The need for sovereign conference stems from structural imbalance and that imbalance occurred from the beginning.That is what started the problem.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/sagay-others-make-fresh-call-for-sovereign-confab/

If calls are made and action is not taken, Nigeria will only go worse.Restructuring Nigeria is not the work of, only the national assembly, it is a duty in which each and every Nigerian should undertake.I belief Nigeria will be better.

SilverNorGold:

He, therefore, advised proponents of restructuring to approach the legislature. Whichever name you call it, the government is not opposed to it. What we are saying is that the parliament is the body empowered by law to effect any change in the nation’s structure.

Shikena! God bless Nigeria.

You said what? The government is not opposed to restructuring? Same restructuring they have vehemently denied over the years? Provided below have been the govt deliberate & insincere approach to this same issue since they came on board:
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/254124-buhari-rejects-restructuring-nigeria.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theeagleonline.com.ng/why-buhari-wont-restructure-nigeria-how-some-want-it-done-presidency/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/apc-and-the-unfulfilled-restructuring-promise/%3famp=1

https://www.google.com/amp/s/guardian.ng/politics/apc-promised-devolution-of-power-not-restructuring-says-akande/

https://punchng.com/tinubu-should-explain-why-buhari-apc-fooled-nigerians-with-

https://punchng.com/restructuring-government-wont-succumb-to-threats-presidency/

https://thenationonlineng.net/apc-has-not-abandoned-

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2020/06/nigeria-must-exist-

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/northern-elders-forum-knocks-senate-over-move-to-review-1999-constitution/amp/

Perhaps haven seen that next level is not leveling they have turned to this nonsense.This is their gimmick for the next political dispensation.The only refreshing aspect of this govt is the frankness of its dishonesty.

Racoon:


You said what? The government is not opposed to restructuring? Same restructuring they have vehemently denied over the years? Provided below have been the govt deliberate & insincere approach to this same issue since they came on board:

Perhaps haven seen that next level is not leveling they have turned to this nonsense.This is their gimmick for the next political dispensation.The only refreshing aspect of this govt is the frankness of its dishonesty.

My brother, Lalaticlala, read and understand whatever you are citing before publishing... President Buhari is opposed to any restructuring that has to do with replacing the current presidential system, not against restructuring itself... You see, that's the problem with this restructuring of a thing. Everyone has their own definition of restructuring... Some want the parliamentary system of government, some want regionalism, some want resource control, some want the monarchical system, etc. Which makes the whole thing difficult to achieve...

See screenshot of an article from one of the links you provided to have a better grasp of what the President meant...

God bless Nigeria.

If during End SARS we have clamoured for restructuring, maybe efforts would have been made by the National Assembly to address it.

SilverNorGold:
...President Buhari is opposed to any restructuring that has to do with replacing the current presidential system, not against restructuring itself..

So why didnt he come clean on the type of restructuring his party promised the nation back then? Why wait till he got on seat before he even start denying all the campaign promises.

Well, it was not his fault.In the course of demanding a change, the electorate never seek explanation on this vexed issue.Meanwhile, the people gave him the man-date he is wielding.So if there is a widespread consensus for a change from presidential to parliamentary democracy, what is the problem with that?

The former have never worked & never will given that we have practiced it for the past 60years of a false nation-
hood.It confers so much power to the centre that even states are helpless in situations a regional govt could have taken action without waiting for the centre.Now some regions are holding others to ransome.

Fantastic
Go to NASS
YINKA ODUMAKIN ..and others should go to NASS

Racoon:
So why didnt he come clean on the type of restructuring his party promised the nation back then? Why wait till he got on seat before he even start denying all the campaign promises.

Well, it was not his fault.In the course of demanding a change, the electorate never seek explanation on this vexed issue.Meanwhile, the people gave him the man-date he is wielding. So if there is a widespread consensus for a change from presidential to parliamentary democracy, what is the problem with that?

My brother, stop asking why he didn't come clean, instead, go back and read those articles, and don't misquote the president next time...

Widespread consensus? That's the business of the legislature, not Buhari... Buhari is just the President. His duties, among others, are to execute the law and assent to bills... He gave his own opinion that the Presidential system should not be changed, but instead be developed to a world-class standard... Like that of the United States or even better... That's still restructuring... Those calling for parliamentary system are few, by the way... And there are several calls for different kinds of restructuring which should be debated on the floor of the house... So I don't know what your issue is with President Buhari, my brother.

May God help us.

You mean rubber stamp legislooters?

They’ve been talking about restructuring for how many years? These people are really sick in their brain.. they should kuku scatter everything and let each region hold their side..

Guys please don't be deceived, the Northerners in the National assembly know they will always block any attempt for restructuring. That's why people like this foool will comfortably say we should go to national assembly

No

We want hot plate of ewedu

Meow meow.




I’m not impressed!!!!

Nah eh! No qualms
This is so unsophisticated


Restructure or no restructure
Best thing nah to leave this country

moronic element be that get to corridor of authority only to lose their brain.

I always tell people that if a Nigerian president wants to restructure this country, it will be as easy as ABC.

All he has to do is to invite and discuss with the head of the two houses. If need be, he will bribe them and send a bill for constitution amendment. It will get accelerated hearing.

However, if a president is not interested in restructuring, he will keep saying that it is the role of the national assembly. This is where we found Buhari today.

Nigeria's president is very powerful and influential

Some educated people still believe PMB has died and the man at the elm of affairs is cloned.

Democracy is defective.

You can be educated and still be iliterate, dumb and ignorant.

Gworo chewing and kunu drinking bastards
You, killer Fulani herdsmen and your supporters shall burn in the inferno you created.!

ok

Hmmm

Ok