Aregbesola, others call for restructuring

In Lagos some prominent citizens also advised the Federal Government to set necessary machinery in motion to restructure Nigeria on the principle of pluralism and true federalism.

“It is time Nigeria gets restructured in line with the federal system of government being operated in India,’’ Aregbesola said.

He said in India, states were created based on people who spoke the same language and had same cultural values.

“If Nigeria is pursuing “good unity’’, we need to restructure, just like in India; Nigeria’s democracy is a dictatorship of indebtedness.’’

He said that Nigeria should return to a parliamentary system of government if the country did not want to die of indebtedness.

He said that the federal system of government that operates 36 states could not work in the face of the economic realities, adding that the country’s revenue could not manage the system of government it operated.

He suggested that the number of states in the country be pruned to six based on the geo-political zones and each state should have a president elected to serve a single term of six years.

Dr Chiedozie Okoro, the Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos, also advised the Federal Government to set necessary machinery in motion to restructure Nigeria on the principle of pluralism and true federalism.

Okoro made the call in a paper delivered on Monday in Lagos to mark the 24 anniversary of June 12, 1993 presidential election.

He said that the country could be divided into political-economic zones, bearing in mind of the ethnic and religious differences in enhancing cultural identity.

The event, which was organised by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Ogba, Lagos, had as its theme; “MKO: A Symbol of Freedom in the History of Nigerian Democracy’’.

“We need restructuring on the principle of pluralism like what operates in Switzerland which operates the pluralistic system of governance through the collegiate arrangement.

“The country needs to recognise the ethnic nationality in Nigeria; the country can be restructured on the basis of zones.

“Among the six-geo-political zones, we should do a rotational presidency of five years a term and to be rotated among the zones that will comprise the restructured Nigeria,’’ Okoro said.

Chief Gani Adams, the National Coordinator of OPC said that for there to be equity, fair play and justice, there was the need for a restructuring.

“Nigeria is still far from the Promised Land; for a country of so many ethnic nationalities, all yearning for growth and development at their own way, true federalism is the answer.

“We shall continue to drum it into the ears of relevant authorities that no nation can develop optimally when the socio-economic and political activities are lopsided,’’ Adams said.

Similarly, Dr Orji Kalu, a former Governor of Abia, urged the Federal Government to always respect and obey the rule of law at all times.