Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, has challenged the agitators of restructuring to tell Nigerians its real meaning.
There has been an ongoing debate on the issue of restructuring the country, with some of its proponents expressing different views on what it entails.
Speaking at a public lecture organised by Africa Research and Development Agency, ARADA, in Kano on Sunday, Yakassai said “It is upon those who are agitating for restructuring to tell Nigerians the real meaning of restructuring. For example, how will Nigeria look like after restructuring? What is your fate?
“If restructuring means constitutional amendments, there is laid down procedure for constitutional amendment. Because constitutional amendment is being conducted through elected representatives and the North by virtue of its population has higher number of representatives- that is why they are afraid to call for constitutional amendment.’’
He said restructuring was conceived by Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, to destabilise the country.
Yakasai said those clamouring for restructuring should explain the real meaning of the concept to Nigerians.
He said: “Restructuring, as many other problematic concepts, was conceived by Afenifere, an offshoot of Action Group, to destabilise the country.
“Some people are advocating we should adopt the 1962 constitution. To the best of my knowledge, the 1962 constitution recognised four regions. Now we have six geo-political regions. But they failed to explain which regions should be retained or merged.
“If the Igbo who lost their wealth during the Nigerian civil war emerged prosperous and currently own 70 percent of Lagos industries, the north has no cause to fear any threat from other parts of the country.
“During the civil war, regional governments took over landed properties belonging to Igbos in their respective regions. But in Kano and entire northern part, the landed properties were handed over to the Igbos after the civil war.
“In Kano, a committee was constituted under the leadership of Dr Uba Adamu who renovated Igbo properties vandalised during the civil war and returned them to Igbos after the war. But their properties in Port Harcourt were not given to them till date.”
2019: NASS Begins Moves To Repackage New Electoral Bill
The National Assembly has begun for the fourth time, the repackaging of the Electoral Bill in order to produce a new one for assent by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Stating this Monday to journalists in Abuja, prior to the closed-door session of the joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif (PDP Bauchi North), noted that the fresh move became imperative following the failure of the three earlier amendments to get Presidential assent.
According to him, the committee is in the eye of the storm as Nigerians are anxiously waiting to hear from the National Assembly.
The Electoral Bill had failed in three attempts made in the year to get it signed into law as 2018 Electoral Act for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
Senator Nazif said: “I know that this committee is in the eye of the storm and Nigerians are desirous and expecting to hear from us. Here we are, again, trying to address the Electoral Act for the fourth time.
“Nigerians will recall that there was a first Electoral Act (amendment bill), the second and the third one. And if we pass this one, it will be the fourth one. I believe that what we are doing is in the best interest of this country.
”It will address all the fears and we will ensure that we equip INEC with what is necessary and what will ensure free and fair elections in 2019.”
Nazif, who declined to offer explanations on contentious areas to be addressed in the rejected version of the amendment bill, said the committee would explain to Nigerians today via media briefing.
“I will not be in a position right no
