The restructuring mantra is gaining currency every day as many Nigerians keep on drumming the music into many ears and fashioned the implementation of policy.
It was one of the campaign promises of All Progressives Congress, APC, used in wooing voters to the party but which has now become a stunt to hoodwink many.
Joining the train of callers, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Former Governor of Kaduna State and 2019 Presidential aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, vowed if elected Nigerian President in 2019, he would implement restructuring to address insecurity plaguing the country.
Speaking when he paid a consultative visit to PDP leadership and possible Delta State delegates to the National Convention in Asaba, Markafi said his commitment to restructuring was not political, insisting that “There must be a way to restructure the country and its agencies including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, such that political parties are represented in the commission.
“As Governor of Kaduna State, I was the architect of the first National Conference under former President Olusegun Obasanjo,” regretting that so many vital areas which were classified as no go areas, were shut out.
As President, he assured to create an enabling environment for the country’s economy to thrive, adding that his administration would pay priority education and tackle unemployment and poverty.
Disabusing the minds of not aspiring to the position of president because he was once the national chairman of the caretaker committee, he said “I am not an opportunist, I am not coming out to be president because you once appointed me as national chairman of the caretaker committee. People may have forgotten that I was to succeed Obasanjo in 2007.
“After we had gone round and I was ahead on the ballot, for some reasons, somebody far behind me on the ballot was selected. Some people were not happy but I agreed to withdraw from the race in the interest of the party and the country.
“They didn’t believe that I was withdrawing, and the president then asked for a formal letter of withdrawal which I tendered in three days. I did that to ensure smooth transition from one civilian government to the other.
“That didn’t stop me, I became the leader of the presidential campaign for South-West. And they made a lot of promises to me which were not fulfilled, again I remained loyal to the party.”
Responding, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said Markafi was grounded on issues affecting the country having served as Governor, Senator and National Chairman of the party at a time the PDP was in turmoil.
He acknowleged that Makarfi managed the turbulent era of the PDP and made it a beautiful bride that now being sort after, describing Makarfi as a good and honest party man.
“We have so many good materials in the PDP, and the least we can do is to ensure a free and fair primary at the national convention,’’ the governor added.
