APC Creates 'Nigeria's Restructuring Committee', To Be Headed By El-Rufai

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has set-up a 10-man committee to articulate the Party’s position on Nigeria’s restructuring.

In a terse statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ruling party noted that since “the concept of restructuring has assumed different meanings across the six geo-political zones of the country following the renewed agitations, it was important to establish a common meaning that will be acceptable to all.”

The Party named governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai, as the committee chairman; while, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi will function as committee secretary.

Other members of the committee are: Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), and ex-governor Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo).

Also included in the committee are: the APC National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso; APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; and Hajiya Fatima Balla.

By Chijioke Jannah

We Need Repackaging, Not Restructuring - Rochas

Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has said that Nigeria did not need any form of restructuring.

He said instead, what the country needed was “repackaging.”

Okorocha stated this at the 67th Annual Conference of the Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria, BON, in Owerri.

According to him, restructuring meant different things to the various geo-political zones in the country, hence, it was not an option for the nation until a common meaning of the term was agreed upon by all.

He said: “Proprietors and Managers of the Radio and Television Stations in the country operating under the aegis of Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) who are meeting in Owerri for their 67th Annual Conference need to help repackage Nigeria for consumption by the rest of the world because that is what is needed now and not restructuring.

“He also asked them to come up with programmes that could allow the less privileged in the society who cannot afford the high cost of electronic media to also be heard.

“Our nation requires repackaging. It is unfortunate that a great nation like ours has not been properly packaged for consumption by the international communities.

“Yet, there are more evils in other nations than we have in Nigeria but the reports going out about our country is such that no one will want to come into Nigerian unless for those who want to take risk. No nation can grow with this arrangement.

“I want to charge you today, as you meet, think Nigeria and see how you can repackage it. We are not the worst of them all.

“Every geo-political zone has its own interpretation of restructuring. To the South-East, restructuring means creation of an additional State.

“For the South-South, restructuring means resource Control. For the South-West, it means devolution of power and the North may see it differently, but whatever is the Case, we are better of, as a United Nigeria.

“The ball is in your court to see how you can project Nigeria and repackage it for public and international consumption.

“Let me say to all of us here that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigeria is a great nation and will ever remain a great nation.”

By Chijioke Jannah

We Only Need Biafra If Restructuring Fails - Ohanaeze Fires Nnamdi Kanu

The Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has cautioned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, over his agitation for Igbo nation, saying Biafra will only be needful if restructuring of Nigeria fails.

Ohanaeze insisted that a restructured Nigeria is better than secession for Biafra, adding that elders of the organization stand for a united Nigeria.

The group said Igbo elders believed that a restructured Nigeria will serve the Igbos better than a new country of their own.

In a statement released by the organization’s National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Chuks Ibegbu, the group said: “There is a raging debate on whether Igbo want Biafra, restructuring or referendum. Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s position has been constant and clear.

“It advocates that a restructured Nigeria with justice and equity will serve Ndigbo more than secession.

“It took into consideration the past, present and future before arriving at this crucial decision. Good enough, key voices in Nigeria are keying in to this mood.

“Referendum is not a bad idea, but it’s not a tea party either. It is an option that will be more potent, if restructuring clamour fails.

“Our children in IPOB and MASSOB, though with genuine grievances, need to be on the same page with Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Our son, Nnamdi Kanu, has done well in heightening the mood of Ndigbo in Nigeria, but there must be some caution and restraint on the strategy and methodology.

“Biafra of the mind is not a bad idea, but a physical Biafra at this point in time need a very deep retrospection, introspection and analytical brainstorming which is not decided in the market. It is only more plausible if the event of 1966 repeats itself in Nigeria.

“Chief Nnia Nwodo and the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership is poised to aggregate the diverse views and opinions of Ndigbo and synthesise an option that will ultimately give Ndigbo their desired leverage in Nigeria.

“While diplomatic tact and pressure is not out of place in this, superior arguments that will not jeopardize the position and future of Ndigbo will be more attractive.”

By Seun Opejobi

Politicians Have Hijacked Calls For Restructuring - Agbakoba

Ace lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has stated that the ongoing calls across the nation for the restructuring were politically motivated.

Agbakoba, who was a delegate to the 2014 National Conference, said from all indications, Nigeria does not need restructuring to end the many challenges confronting her.
According to the ex-NBA boss, Nigeria is facing a lot of challenges and the sudden call by politicians for a restructured Nigeria is not for the interest of the nation because they are making such calls for a political end aimed at 2019 and they are already taking their positions.

He told Punch that, “Politicians cannot sit down in one place and discuss solely in their interest to promote something that is fashionable. They have started to bandy around the word ‘restructure.’ Civil societies first used the word ‘restructure’ in 1979. But all through the decades, we have been going downhill.

“Suddenly, it has become fashionable now to talk about restructuring to gain power because, like it or not, Nigeria is completely fractured. You have the possibility of the All Progressives Congress not remaining in power in 2019; you have the Peoples Democratic Party that is almost dead.”

Asked if the call for restructuring can address the nation’s woes, the legal luminary said that Nigeria’s problem is beyond that.

Agbokoba added, “Nigeria’s problem is not about restructuring. Nigeria’s problem can be likened to a marriage that is not working and the husband says to the wife, ‘Let us restructure by living in different rooms or stay together in one room.’ That doesn’t resolve the underlying tension, if the man, for instance, always goes out to act in an unbecoming manner.

“The only way they can ‘restructure’ their marriage is for the couple to sit down and identify the cause of the problem in the marriage. There is only one way we can begin to talk about restructuring or zoning, if that is what we want: How do you know if we want restructuring? How do you know we don’t want to go our separate ways? Because, in 1914, we were forced to live together by the colonialists; in 1960, the colonialists imposed a constitution on us. And then, the military took over, and in 1998, the military imposed on us another constitution.”


By Ameh Comrade Godwin

MASSOB Kicks Against Restructuring, Insist On Biafra

Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has insisted that the South-East Governors and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo cannot decide for the over 50 million Igbos in the country.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Director of Information of MASSOB, Comrade Edeson Samuel stated that the group would not accept any move geared towards the restructuring of the country.

According to him, “MASSOB rejects totally the decision taken by South east governors and the leadership of ohaneze Ndigbo in their meeting last week, which they said that they will remain in Nigeria.

“It is shameful, disgraceful, abomination and act of sabotage for them governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo to take such dangerous decision for over 50million Ndigbo and Biafrans without their consent.

“These so-called leaders want to mortgage the destinies and future of these young generations because of their interest and greed. These South east governors and the ohaneze leadership want to play good boy in the hand of their political masters who use them as tools against the wish and desire of Ndigbo and Biafran.

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“Our so called leaders have never called meeting of various group where every group will contribute ideas in respect of the quit notice served Ndigbo by Arewa youths. Our brothers from South west, the Afenifere and other groups like OPC in south west are busy organizing themselves, the ACF and their youth wing have been holding secret meetings, but our so called leaders are busy making much noise in the Media.

“These governors and the acclaimed Igbo leaders who prefer Nigeria cannot send their families to Kano, Maidugri, Zamfara, Sokoto and Bornu state.

“Time has come when MASSOB and other genuine pro Biafra agitators will no longer allow these self centered greedy politicians to step their foot in Igbo land. Our non-violence should not be taken for granted.

“MASSOB will no longer accommodate these Abuja politicians that have no political values in Igbo land. MASSOB will not accept restructuring or 2014 National conference. Is Biafra or nothing. The governors and Ohaneze leadership cannot decide for us.”

By Ameh Comrade Godwin

Restructuring: I Never Asked IBB To Apologize To Nigerians - Oshiomhole

Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has denied asking former military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), to apologise to Nigerians, instead of joining the call for restructuring.

Oshiomhole had the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of the PENGASSAN in Abuja last week, reportedly said that Babangida owed Nigerians an apology for allegedly helping to bring the country to its current economic state.

The former governor, who was represented by General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers, Mr. Issa Aremu, as a guest speaker at the event, was quoted to have said, “I thought that he (IBB) should have apologised to the whole country, but there is nothing like that from him.

“But ‎it is now fashionable for him to talk about restructuring. It was under him that the economy was restructured. He devalued the currency and downsized workers.”

‎But Oshiomhole, in a statement made available to journalists by his media aide, Mr. Victor Oshioke, on Monday said that views expressed by Aremu were not his (Oshiomhole).

It reads: “It is true that there was no prepared speech handed over to Mr. Issa Aremu but the conversation Adams Oshiomhole had with him spelt out the scope of the issues to be discussed.

“There was nowhere during the conversation that the name of former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), featured with respect to his comments on restructuring or otherwise.

“We were surprised, therefore, to read news report credited to Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, asking ‘IBB to apologise to Nigerians, instead of asking for restructuring’.

“We wish to state, unequivocally, that the view so expressed is entirely that of Mr. Issa Aremu and does not in any way represent the views of Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.”

“When a speaker is representing another speaker in any public speaking engagement, the rules are very clear.

“If the representing speaker wants to deviate from the mandate and brief given to him, he will clearly inform the audience without lumping his thoughts and views as though they represent those of the real speaker,” he added.

By Wale Odunsi

Nigeria Needs To Be Restructured Now - Senator Shehu Sani

The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, has thrown his weight behind those calling for the restructuring of the country.

He said that the present situation called for every Nigerian to take the opportunity offered to restructure and redesign Nigeria.

“We should come out with a new master plan that will address the social, economic and political crises that gave birth to some of these agitations.

“We should also use the opportunity to reach out, to strengthen our unity and form a coalition against separatists, who come from the southeast and ultra-nationalist and anarchist who come from northern part of Nigeria.

“This is the time for each and every Nigerian to take position. Nigeria will not and should not be Soviet Union; Nigeria will not be and must not be Yugoslavia, Nigerian should and must not be Sudan.

“There are issues we need to address. This is an opportunity for us to restructure and redesign our country,” Senator Shehu Sani.

Sani, who spoke to newsmen in Kaduna, added, “The moral calling of all men of conscience is to champion the cause of unity and peace. And for people like me, this is my area of calling. Biafran agitators are persons who have forgotten the lessons of history, the country is bigger than individuals, we are one and we should remain one.

“The Igbo Ethnic Groups have since been able to build themselves economically, and present themselves as Nigerians. Igbos can clearly be found in all the nooks and crannies of this country, and I believe we should be able to separate the few, who want seccession from millions, who live among us as Nigerians.

“Any Southerner in the North is in the north because he believes in one Nigeria, if he dose not believe in one Nigeria, he could have gone back to Southeast. We should look at it this way, it is great that we are called giant of Africa because of our size, our population and because of the promise we hold for West Africa and the black race. Seccession is not an option, those who want to divide this country should be condemned in totality and I can understand the anger by some of our people in Northern part of Nigeria, but we should not play to the gallery.

“The secessionist should not determine our collective decision or distract what our response should be. If they are for seccession, we are for unity. We must protect Igbos that are living in the Northern part of Nigeria because they are here to live with us; they are here because they believe in one Nigeria.But Nnamdi Kanu and his Biafran forces are doomed to fail because Nigeria will remain one.

“This is a time to challenge them, combat and nip them in the bud. It is the time in history of this country that we must speak out. I will also say a Nation united by force is vulnerable, a Nation united by justice is inseparable, that must be our goal.”

Speaking on the need for unity in Kaduna State, Senator Shehu Sani explained, “I am opposed to the dropping of these 4,766 district heads,for the very fact that they are a very strong instruments of peace and unity. I call on the governor to reverse his decision. There is enough money to pay them.

“In a situation whereby we have a government in Kaduna State that is issuing out contracts to advisers, members of the State House of Assembly and the people in the position of authority, which is contrary to ethics of civil service, in that sense, you know that it is very disgusting to accuse the PDP, the Ramalan Yero, Makarfi, Late Yakowa’s government of corruption in Kaduna State.

“In Kaduna State, you have public office holders who submit companies to be awarded contracts.We should understand that it is not just about N3 billion Contract scam, but there are ethics issues concerned, a civil servant is not allowed to be a contractor.

“It is an act of nepotism to send your son, your wife, to do contract directly under your office, it is against the code of conduct, code of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for an elected public civil servant, office holder to engage in contract, that is very wrong.

“The only persons who are immune to face investigation is the governor and deputy governor of all this persons involved. The governor of the state should follow it up and set up investigation panel to fish out the bad eggs within his government and deal with them.

“If Buhari can drop Babachir as a Secretary to the government of the federation for giving his own company contracts, governor Nasir El- Rufai should tow the line by sacking his aides that have exploited their positions in office, and have turned themselves into contractors.”

By Amos Tauna

APC Didn't Promise Nigerians Restructuring - Oyegun

The All Progressives Congress, APC was yesterday under fire from friends and foes after its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun distanced the party from any pre-election promise to restructure the country. 

Odigie-Oyegun claimed that the promise to devolve more powers to the states and adopt the principles of true federalism as enunciated in the party’s 2015 manifesto did not amount to restructuring. 

Odigie-Oyegun’s assertion, coming on the heels of a declaration by APC governors to support the growing calls for restructuring, appeared to put the national leadership and the governors who are now dictating the policy for the party to be at odds. Briefing newsmen Thursday night after a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, and its governors at the Imo State Government Lodge in Abuja, Chief Odigie-Oyegun said the party never promised to restructure Nigeria’s federal structure. He said: “If you want to know where APC is, read through the manifesto and that is where APC stands. The APC did not say restructuring.” Even the promise of devolution of powers to the states, Odigie-Oyegun inferred was not a priority for the ruling party which he said is presently preoccupied with how to provide food for Nigerians rather than restructuring.

His words: “What is more important? To fix the economy or to embark on this political issue with all the contentious and different interpretations that the public gives to it? It is very specific in the manifesto, and we are not going to renege on it. No question about that. “It is contentious, and a lot of people talk about restructuring without any commonality. We have stated clearly what we want to do. They are devolution and true federalism. 

We really avoided the word restructuring because it means so many things to so many people. We are coming to that but our priority for now, for today is to fix the economy and restore hope, provide jobs to the teeming millions of our youths all over the country. So it is a matter of priority.’’ The APC in its first item in its 2015 manifesto promised to: “Initiate action to amend our Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties, and responsibilities to states and local governments to entrench true federalism and the federal spirit.” The party’s seeming backtrack on the issue was flayed yesterday from across the country.

Vanguard