Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Wednesday, disclosed that a draft amendment bill for the restructuring of Nigeria is ready and will be introduced to the National Assembly on the first day of sitting of the 10th Assembly, next year, as an Executive Bill.

Alhaji Abubakar also said whereas he would not release the document now, Nigerians should rest assured that issues of resource control, which continues to be a major talking-point in the restructuring sphere, as well as devolution and state police, are on the cards.

Speaking to members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, Wednesday, at the Marriot Hotel, Lagos, the PDP presidential candidate explained that both the amendment bill and his five point agenda which he tagged ‘My Covenant With Nigerians’, is a product of wide consultation and expert advice.

He said he assembled a team of experts with whom he had series of sessions to branstorm on pathways for Nigeria’s return to greatness.

According to Abubakar, “in preparing the draft restructuring amendment bill, what I did was to assemble a team of lawyers who are some of the best in the country.

“I picked lawyers from each of the six geo-political zones so that each zone would have representation and a sense of belonging in what we were packaging for Nigerians and also to take into account the interests of each component part of the country.

“What they have come up with after series of sessions is a draft bill that is ready as I speak to you.

The bill is ready and it would be presented to the National Assembly on the first day of their sitting after inauguration.

“Mind you, the process of amending the constitution involves the Executive, the National Assembly and the state houses of assembly. So, on the first day of sitting, I will present the bill.”

On the specific areas the bill will cover, the PDP candidate revealed that one of the major issues agitating the minds of Nigerians whenever restructuring is discussed, is the issue of resource control.

“The bill will cut across all spheres of restructuring, and resource control is accommodated in it.”

Responding to a question on security, Abubakar said more boots were needed on the ground.

According to him, doubling the number of policemen in the country to about 700,000 would help with the challenge of policing, while at the same time reducing unemployment.

“By the time you also do the same thing in the military, we would have more men and boots on ground and we would also be reducing unemployment in the country.

“The issue of devolution and state police are also issues for amendment and these are things contained in our restructuring package to be sent to the National Assembly.”

Them don come again
Last time na Buhahi and Tinubu
This time na Atiku thief
We no do again.