I am not a prophet of doom. Restructuring of Nigeria is inevitable - Again Atiku Abubakar warns northern elders

I am not a prophet of doom. Restructuring of Nigeria is inevitable - Atiku Abubakar again ewarns northern elders 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has again reiterated that the restructuring of the country’s system was inevitable.

Atiku, who said this at the Memorial Conference of the former military Governor of the defunct Northern Region, Late General Hassan Usman Katsina on Saturday, said the fragile unity of the country was being threatened with sentiments.

The Adamawa-born politician advised the North not to shy away from the negotiation table but should be present to have input and know how it moves in the interest of the region and the country at large.

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According to him, “I am not trying to be a messenger of doom but to alert us to the serious challenges ahead if we do not take immediate corrective actions both in our economics and our politics”.

He stressed that devolution of more powers and responsibilities to the federating units with the resources extended to them, will be helpful to the economic and socio-political recovery as well as development of the North in particular, as Nigeria needs same.

Atiku advocated for a revisit of the current geopolitical zones to becoming the federating units to stop the clamour for creation of additional states as the federating units can decide to have as many local authorities as it deems.

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Adding that, “as our history has shown, a strong centre does not translate to a strong and better base. We should begin to think strategically about how to develop this region (North) as a collective and our states in each geopolitical zone should embark on how to work together to share responsibilities”.

He noted that, it is a mistake for the North to think that restructuring of the polity will be a mistake, pointing out that, as long as the federal government continues with overriding power; there will remain instability.

The former Vice-president affirmed that national integration is achievable in Nigeria when we (North) do the little things that will help in that regard including intangibles as values, ideology and sense of investment that help to foster sense of national integration; “these are more effective than forcing or bribing people to stay together”.

“I suggest we resolve today to support calls for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation in order to strengthen its unity and stabilize its democracy. I believe that restructuring will eventually happen whether we like or support it or not”.

“The question is whether it will happen around a conference table, in a direction influenced by us (Northerners) and whether we will be equal partners in the process. Or, will it happen in a more unpredictable arena and in a manner over which we have little influence?

-Daily Globe Watch