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