By Daniel Kanu
Assistant Politics Editor
As the call for urgent restructuring of Nigeria continues to persist, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has lend its voice on the best condition, contending that any genuine restructuring must be just, fair and equitable to all.
ACF through its spokesperson, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, called for a due process through the nation’s democratic structures rather than mere crass agitation, if Nigerians are to achieve ‘true’ federalism.”
ACF said that restructuring a complex and diverse country as Nigeria was a serious business that must take into account the views of all its citizens and not just the loudest minority.
“Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) wish to lend its voice to the debate as to whether or not to restructure the Federation of Nigeria. However, ACF has observed with regret that in most cases, the discussions are taking place without regard to our present democratic structure, as the issues are in some cases presented as “demands” by one group or the other” Biu said in a statement made available to The Niche.
ACF noted further that “Unfortunately, in most cases they are followed up by some ultimatum to the government to accept or face deadly consequences. It should be clear to all the agitators that restructuring a complex, big and diverse country as Nigeria is a serious business that must take account of the views of all its citizens, and not just of those that shout the loudest.
“More so, such discussions must be free of threats, intimidation or blackmail from any group or individual. A genuine restructuring must therefore be just, fair and equitable to all.
“Furthermore, it must strengthen our democracy, unity, peace and development of the Nigerian components. ACF therefore calls for a due process through our present democratic structures rather than just crass agitation, if we are to achieve ‘true’ federalism.”
It must be recalled that former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as well as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo have all expressed their views on the urgent need to salvage the country from disintegration through genuine restructuring.
Babangida, for instance on Monday declared that the time has come for the country to be restructured, stressing that new ideas and initiatives can be generated through restructuring which would make the Nigerian union worthwhile.
Observing that the country has survived a lot of crisis in the past, he asserted that the restructuring of the Nigerian state can no longer be wished away.