The three governors of Bauchi, Yobe and Brono states have expressed diverse views over the current agitation for restructuring of the country.
While the Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, stressed the need to consider national consensus on restructuring to meet the yearning and aspirations of Nigerians, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima, said that there was no need for restructuring but corruption and injustice should be checkmated.
On the other hand, Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, called for the amendment of 1999 constitution by National Assembly.
The governors spoke at public meeting on “True Federalism: Public Consultation in Northeast Zone” held in Bauchi .
Governor Abubakar, who was represented by his Deputy, Nuhu Gidado, said: “We believe in one united Nigeria because we do not subscribe to break up. It’s better to remain as one country.
“Also, any position to be taken on restructuring must be in tandem with the people’s view in line with APC manifesto and our party Change Agenda.”
Governor Abubakar also called for devolution of power from the exclusive list by the Federal government to the state and local government in the areas of agriculture and education.
Governor Shetima submitted that Nigeria needs honest leaders, who are interested in the plight of the people in fighting corruption, saying, “my opinion and the opinion of Borno State government is that the present federalism be maintained and build strong institutions that will stand a test of time”.
Shetima, who was represented by the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdukarim Lawal, said that the current restructuring agitation was awakened by the injustice and corrupt practice of the past administration, which ruled for 16 years.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against corruption, saying, “it will go a long way in the restructuring of the country.”
Also, the Yobe State governor represented by Permanent Secretary, Government House, Damaturu, Lawal Hssan, said that agitation of restructuring revolves around constitution amendment.
He said, “All we need in Nigeria is good governance hence the need for National Assembly to amend our constitution.”
In his remarks, the team leader of the public meeting in North East Senator Oseirhemen Osunbor said that the policy of the party in resolving issues on restructuring was to listen to the people and engage them in the debates.
Osumbor, a former Governor of Edo State said that the key issues to address at the public hearing are creation/merger of states, derivation principle, devolution of powers and federations units.
Other issues include fiscal federalism and revenue allocation, form of government, independent candidacy, land tenure system, local government autonomy, power sharing and rotation, resource control and type of legislature.
.Source: nigerianewsflight.com
