I ask this question, Restructuring of Nigeria, Who Is Against It? against the myriads of opinion and voices supporting the idea that the survival of our nation depends on it, and that the right time for that to happen is now.
One thing that have baffled me is that everybody from across Nigeria seems to support the idea, at least by their utterances, yet nothing is being done about it.
From the north, a region hitherto against anything restructuring, some prominent and patriotic Nigerians are now lending their voices in support of this overdue all important step that needs to be taken to salvage our nation from the brink of collapse and disintegration. Amongst them is Atiku Abubakar, a retired Custom boss and former Vice Presidents of Nigeria, a politician whose ambition to rule Nigeria is still very much alive.
Another big shot who have spoken in support of restructuring Nigeria is Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, a former military Head of State, who once aspired to return to power as a democratically elected President after stepping aside as a military Ruler in 1993.
Even very recently, the APC governors forum voiced their support for this nobel cause. Their endorsement is very strategic in the sense that their party, is the ruling party at the centre, yet despite “everybody endorsing” restructuring, nothing is be done about it.
There are many others, both from the northern and southern parts of Nigeria who have spoken strongly in support of restructuring Nigeria, but the question begging for answers in my mind, and I also believe in the mind of others across board is, hence the majority seem to believe in this noble idea, even from our Lawmakers, why haven’t RESTRUCTURING seen the light of the day?
Could all this support be just a lip service, a case of campaign and political strategy to appeal to the sensitivity of proponents of restructuring in order to get votes and win election?
Some Proponents are Now Opponents
I must also admit that just as restructuring is gaining momentum and more converts, some who were hitherto proponents and Apostles of restructuring are now opponents of it. Chief among this category is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a politician and former Governor of Lagos State, a juggernaut, astute administrator and politician who rode to power in 1999 on the wings of the progressive ideals of the late sage, and former premier of the western region Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
It is very unfortunate that someone like Tinubu could sellout the way he did and jettison the key and all important progressive philosophy of true federalism through restructuring in his desperate lust and inordinate quest for power at the center.
Just because Asiwaju was desperate to dislodge Jonathan from Aso Rock, he painted everything by Jonathan black, and declared them evil, even declaring the conference convened by Jonathan to restructure Nigeria a Greek gift, thereby playing into the hands of extreme conservatives like Buhari, who never wanted nor supported anything about restructuring Nigeria which in reality is for selfish reasons and the continous subjugation of the good people of Nigeria, and to the detriment of peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, justice and equity.
As far as I am concerned, any self confessed progressive or group of persons professing to be Awoist who got elected at the centre whitout restructuring and true federalism being the focal theme of their government is tantamount to a man who got married to a damsel without the womb.
Could it be because those in the corridors of power who are supposed to drive the movement for restructuring of Nigeria in this dispensation have sold out that we are having too much talk about restructuring Nigeria, and yet there are no actions? Your guess is good as mine.
Raph McJulius, is a Prophet, Poet, Author and The Senior Pastor of THE BALANCED CHURCH, Lagos Nigeria. He can be reached on [email protected].Sent from my Samsung device
