THE President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has faulted calls for restructuring by Southern governors.

He said elected leaders ought not to champion such calls but rather concentrate on working hard to first restructure their states before asking the Federal Government to do so.

Lawan, said this in an interview with State House correspondents, in Abuja, on Thursday, after observing the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.

He said, “I believe that, as leaders, especially those of us who are elected into office should not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing (restructuring).

“Because, even if you are a governor, you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you are calling for at the federal level, you have done it in your state as well.

“What you may accuse the Federal Government of, whatever it is, you may also be accused of the same thing in your state.

“So, we are supposed to ensure that we have a complete and total way of ensuring that our systems at the federal, state and even local government levels work for the people.
“We must allow people to participate in governance so that whoever feels he has something to offer to make Nigeria better does so freely without any let or hindrance.”

The Senate president further said, “The President is reaching out to all the stakeholders. And I believe that as leaders, particularly those of us who were elected at all levels of government, we should avoid partisanship.

“We should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together.

“The solutions to our challenges must come from us regardless of what level of government we are.

“Whether at the federal, state or the local government level.

“I believe that Nigeria is going to come out of these challenges stronger.” He also called for support for the federal government.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also called for a national spirit of oneness, saying that “If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame for what’s happening today.

...we should avoid partisanship.

“We should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together.

Ttalk:
Why are these people so afraid of restructuring

IgweOfNnewi:
Lawan need mental evaluation

OldNairalander:
Since this man became SP, he's never made any sensible comment or decision even for one day.Quota system is just too bad

makemoneywbsite:


If I got him right, they should avoid being inclined to their parties, whether PDP or APC, They should also avoid caring about the interest of their region (South Nigeria), but focus on leaving their people behind by being just leaders. Interesting that the guy who wants these leaders not to care about their region is actively promoting the agenda of his own region and tribe. What a country.

Racoon:
This rubberstamp NASS stooge is always talking shitcrap.God! Imagine why this nation is where it is today because of daft people like this man.

Gone are the days we discuss politics with mature minds on Nairaland.
Now, some people have taken over, emphasis on some people .

Vaughanlanrewaj:
Hmm. I repeat. Don't take these governors demand for restructuring serious until they themselves restructure their states .

For Senator Lawan, I say God bless you sir.
Most of these Southern states governors are being hypocritical, especially those oil producing southern states robbing oil producing communities of the payment meant for direct interventions in their communities.

Cross Rivers State went through hell to get a substantive Chief Judge and Oyo state governor who sacked all elected Chairmen of 33 LGAs in one fell swoop at the stroke of a pen being among those Southern states governors calling for restructuring is an insult !

Why on earth will Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Delta states be leading in unemployment rate in the country despite all the billions they recieve as oil derivation funds? Is that wastage of resources caused by restructuring at the federal government level too.

Most of these states still run governance only from their state capitals and focus most of the development on the capitals leaving out other places. It happened during the tenure of HE Ibikunle Amosun who focused only on Abeokuta and literally left the other parts of Ogun state!

These governors can't even stand the LGAs yet they want to bully FG. They should embrace restructuring FIRST and as a matter of fact, should show first that they can restructure.

All other parts of the same state need development and there should be strong laws in place to compel even development at state levels . Governors should build secretariats in each of the Senate district and physically work shifts and rotate their offices quarterly among each of the 3 senatorial districts.

In Lagos, the governor work shifts between Marina on the Island and Alausa in Ikeja and I think he should have another office in Badagry to make it 3 . God bless Nigeria.

ddippset:
Lol don't mind these clowns.

The never miss an opportunity to exhibit hatred for Buhari.
This is another manifest of Buhariphobia.

These governors have spent time and resources fighting against Local Government autonomy.
They have spent time and resources resisting judiciary independence.
They marginalize certain sections of the state; a typical example is rivers state where I live.
The governor carries out 80 percent of his projects in 2 out of 27 LGAs.

Yet they are crying to FG for restructuring.

They only deceive fools not everybody.