Analysts and socio-political groups on Friday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the call for the restructuring of the country.

They told Saturday PUNCH in separate interviews that with the current economic crisis facing the country, restructuring was inevitable.

The National Bureau of Statistics had, on Wednesday, released the Gross Domestic Product figures for the second quarter of 2016 with the GDP growth rate sliding from -0.36 per cent in the first quarter to -2.06 per cent year on year.

It also released the capital importation report for the second quarter, the unemployment statistics report, the inflation report for the month of July and the labour productivity report for the month of July.
The reports, according to analysis, painted a negative picture of the Nigerian economy with inflation rising as high as 17.1 per cent from 16.5 per cent; unemployment rate increasing to 13.3 per cent from 12.1 per cent and investment inflows dropping to its lowest levels at $647.1m from $710m.

The National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said except the country was restructured, the recession could not be addressed.

He said, “Nigeria has entered a terminal crisis as it is now on irreversible journey to Venezuela. The Naira is on a free fall; inflation has torn the roof and suicide is now the option left for the hapless which we are already harvesting.

“There is no way out of this crisis except we restructure and release the creative energy in the federating units to retool. If we continue on this beaten path, our spring looms.”

A Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Ebunoluwa Adegboruwa, said the problems in Nigeria were beyond the economy.

According to him, they are fundamental and can be traced to the root of the country’s existence.

He said, “I believe that we should restructure peacefully and upon terms agreeable to all the constituent units of the lopsided federation called Nigeria.

“The 1999 Constitution, which was enacted against the will of the people, should be dismantled and power and resources should be given back to the regions where they belong and are located.

“This style of dolling out bailouts to states and local governments from Abuja cannot continue.”

Also, the Head, Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Uche Uwaleke; a former Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Rislanudeen Muhammed; and a former Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Ganiyu Ogunleye, said restructuring would help address the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

Uwaleke said that once the federating units were given the powers to control their resources, it would help promote economic competition.

According to him, with competition, the federating units will come up with innovative ways of stimulating their respective economies.

Uwaleke said, “Restructuring is the panacea for many of the socio-economic challenges facing the country. This much came to the fore in the last constitution conference put together by the previous administration.

“The seemingly endless crises in the Niger Delta region will substantially abate if the country is restructured in a way that allows greater control of resources by the federating units.”

Muhammed agreed with Uwaleke. He said restructuring would make all the states compete for economic development and as such uplift the lives of their people.

He said, “Nigeria has huge economic potential outside the oil sector which is largely untapped due to the so called Dutch Disease that has for years made us lazy and always relying on mono product commodity called oil as the source of income, notwithstanding the fact that oil constitutes only 10 per cent of our Gross Domestic product.

“Economic restructuring will make all the states compete for development and uplifting the lives of their people. There is potential for growth in non oil export in most states and virtually all the states have one form of economic competitive advantage or the other.

“The states do not have to grow at same pace but hard work will make all the difference. For example, virtually the whole of Zamfara State is sitting on gold and diamond, largely untapped with little going to illegal miners.”

Ogunleye described the restructuring of the country as a necessity, adding that it held the key to the economic development of the people.

He said, “Restructuring is a necessity and it is what the people have been advocating over the years, but the challenge is that it is either there is no serious commitment to it or the political will to implement it is lacking.

“Otherwise, when you talk about diversification, it is almost the same thing as restructuring the economy. Over the years, we relied on oil revenue and now we can appreciate the risks of relying on one source of revenue.

“We are not a manufacturing country and so most of the things we use are imported. So, there is the need to restructure the country in such a way that we can develop manufacturing capacity.”

According to Ogunleye, while a lot of emphases have been placed on agriculture, the country is just focusing on the primary aspect of the sector.

He said, “There is no linkage in our agriculture. When we produce our raw cocoa, we export it only to import chocolate. Imported products are expensive to the economy and they affect our foreign exchange.

“So with proper linkages in our agriculture sector, the pressure we are having now on foreign exchange will be reduced.”

The President, Campaign for Democracy, Abdul Usman, said with restructuring, no region would be dependent on others.

He said, “Restructuring can, as a matter of fact, make most of our clueless leadership in our various regions to sit up. The fact remains that our leaders are lacking in economic potential and are not willing to learn from some of their colleagues.”
http://punchng.com/restructure-now-experts-afenifere-others-tell-buhari/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Bubu get ear infection..he know dey hear...try again later

But, Osinbajo said that Nigeria doesn't need restructuring now??

Nigeria does need it. We can't keep robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Bubu no go gree.. D man don look for this president for many yrs, No be now una come tell am say make him share power

Restructuring is the way forward. If only Nigerians know where we are headed. They will agree.

Restructure or #BringbackGEJ

In all these amazing revelations about the country's recession by the NBS, the only thing that surprises me is that the head of that parastatal has not been invited by the EFCC for questioning. I know it will happen soon.

Pavarottii:
Restructuring is the way forward. If only Nigerians know where we are headed. They will agree.

Restructure or #BringbackGEJ

Did GEJ restructure? Please tell us how if you think he did.


[MODIFIED]
After waiting 7 hours and you couldn't prove GEJ restructured or diversified permit to say you are one big liar.
The money with which to diversification can be implemented has been looted and is being recovered.

This is the only good thing i have heard an afonja group done this year

Restructuring is the key

sheyguy:
Did GEJ restructure? Please tell us how if you think he did.

but are you really against restructuring or GEJ? I am not saying GEJ is the best or we should bring him back like the person you quoted said but at least he laid the foundation for restructuring.

The only group against restructuring is and will continue to be , The Political Elite....

They won't allow it happen, it's easier to heap all the blames on the centre while robbing the people blind at State & LG levels but when power and decision makers are closer to the people, there won't be any subterfuge.

Truly restructuring and going back to regionalism will put all region on their toes

Unfortunately the elite that kept forming more unviable states of the federation using land mass will not make this happen

And it's the voice of the minority against the majority

God bless Nigeria

They should shut their mouth.. We ain't restructuring anything.

We like our recession

searchiing4love:
Restructuring is not the solution but the present status quo. Restructuring is a cunny attempt by easterners to achieve biafra and it won't happen. History tells us Ojukwu was able to instigate the civil war because he was the head of Eastern region. If we go back to regionalism, non-entities like Nnamdi kanu will rise again and start pushing for biafra which is a bad omen for Nigeria. No part of the country must be allowed to split for no reason. Lord Luggard was an intellectual when he merged us together. There is strength in unity. Let's keep maintaining the present federal system till the Igbo's are patriotic enough to forget biafra

We are moving towards recovery already

NO TO RESTRUCTURING

RESTRUCTURING IS AN IPOBIAFRIAN IDEOLOGY

True, simple and short! Power n responsibilities need to devolve from d centre to federating units. This way the true development potentials of every region will be brought to the fore at their own pace! This bottle feeding business is terribly unsustainable and a complete aberration!

A look at real successful world powers will disclose this obvious fact. They did not get to where they are by one unwieldy central body colonising resources and redistributing same under some dodgy allocation scheme. They aren't stuck with a police force that is under the sole control of an over powerful centre thereby making nonsense of the title of Chief Security Officers which state governors are meant to be. There is so much wrong with this bastardised federalism we operate that it just needs to give way!

Why are people so afraid of restructuring this country

He said, “I believe that we should restructure peacefully and upon terms agreeable to all the constituent units of the lopsided federation called Nigeria.

now this is one reason why we can't restructure. The region that has been pulling us back since we began federalism would not agree to the terms. Shikena

searchiing4love:
Restructuring is not the solution but the present status quo. Restructuring is a cunny attempt by easterners to achieve biafra and it won't happen. History tells us Ojukwu was able to instigate the civil war because he was the head of Eastern region. If we go back to regionalism, non-entities like Nnamdi kanu will rise again and start pushing for biafra which is a bad omen for Nigeria. No part of the country must be allowed to split for no reason. Lord Luggard was an intellectual when he merged us together.

Did i really read this or i just imagined you put this crap there in error? The colonial masters only did to ease administration, no ingenuity was involved..


I do not care for Kanu and his brand of hate filled rhetorics but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with wanting to be in charge of one's destiny & carve out a seperate path for oneself...

This present agitation was borne out of a knee jerk reaction to losing political stock (irrefutable fact!!!) but they still have inalienable right to self expression which you

Ojukwu is not a factor here since he never got his wish

There is strength in unity. Let's keep maintaining the present federal system till the Igbo's are patriotic enough to forget biafra :

There is no unity in coercion... I'm only pro unity because a bigger country is able to achieve more if the atmosphere is conducive and everyone's thought align but in a situation where it isn't obtainable, peaceful and advancing smaller nations remain great alternatives..

BTW, you also can't force patriotism on people, IT'S A CONSCIOUS CHOICE...

Mehn, a taya for you people!! Seriously..

modath:


Did i really read this or i just imagined you put this crap there in error? I do not care for Kanu and his brand of hate filled rhetorics but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with wanting to be in charge of one's destiny & carve out a seperate path for oneself...

This present agitation was borne out of a knee jerk reaction to losing political stock (irrefutable fact!!!) but they still have inalienable right to self expression which you

Ojukwu is not a factor here since he never got his wish

There is no unity in coercion... I'm only pro unity because a bigger country is able to achieve more if the atmosphere is conducive and everyone's thought align but in a situation where it isn't obtainable, peaceful and advancing smaller nations remain great alternatives..

BTW, you also can't force patriotism on people, IT'S A CONSCIOUS CHOICE...

Mehn, a taya for you people!! Seriously..

The moniker quoted is nothing but an unconscionable troll. You should have absolutely ignored that post n paid it no mind.

The bolded is what some people fail to understand n appreciate particularly d political elite. It is not by d threat n force of war or massacres, whatever is achieved by this means remains ever troubled, untrue and will come crashing down under its own weight.

Still, I disagree with u on this submission:

modath:


This present agitation was borne out of a knee jerk reaction to losing political stock (irrefutable fact!!!)

I will not go into any winding disagreement, I'll only ask a few questions:
When did Biafra come into existence?
Why was the Biafran or civil war fought in 1967 until 1970?
When were d IPOB n Radio Biafra formed?
Why has MASSOB been in existence and its members routinely harassed n jailed?
Do you honestly believe Nnamdi Kanu only started speaking when Jonathan conceded and Buhari came into power?
Was/Is IPOB in support of Jonathan and any Nigerian government?
What is the MEND about ie Emancipation of the Niger Delta?

Please do some good research in answering these and I leave u to decide whether in all honesty and without bias, it is merely because of loss of political stock.

Restructure what?i dont seems 2 understand how some elder statemen think....they keep on calling 4 restructuring and forget that we as a people and nigeria as a country has a faulty foundation,and certain things needs be put in place before we can restructure.
let the several state governors quit lazying around,make judicious use of the monthly allocation allocated 2 them by d federal government,look at and improve their internally generated revenue,save 4 emergency and lets see if nigeria development will not be accelerated.
what has our senators and house of representative members been doin with d constituency allowance been given 2 them?y av d state governors refused 2 allow the local goverment 2 fucntion effectively?these are questions that should be asked and solutions proffered.
its quite pathetic some people dont know what restructurin is all about...but will be d 1st 2 show us how shallow minded they are..their argument devoid of any constructive criticism.

modath:


Did i really read this or i just imagined you put this crap there in error? The colonial masters only did to ease administration, no ingenuity was involved..


I do not care for Kanu and his brand of hate filled rhetorics but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with wanting to be in charge of one's destiny & carve out a seperate path for oneself...

This present agitation was borne out of a knee jerk reaction to losing political stock (irrefutable fact!!!) but they still have inalienable right to self expression which you

Ojukwu is not a factor here since he never got his wish




There is no unity in coercion... I'm only pro unity because a bigger country is able to achieve more if the atmosphere is conducive and everyone's thought align but in a situation where it isn't obtainable, peaceful and advancing smaller nations remain great alternatives..

BTW, you also can't force patriotism on people, IT'S A CONSCIOUS CHOICE...

Mehn, a taya for you people!! Seriously..

Did u know there is a kurdish region in India trying to break away? Instead of allowing a referendum the Indian government sent in troops and gave orders to shoor on sight. Seccession is a crime when it's not captured in our Constitution. Its treasonable trying to break the country. Biafra can never be allowed because it's illegal

searchiing4love:
Restructuring is not the solution but the present status quo. Restructuring is a cunny attempt by easterners to achieve biafra and it won't happen. History tells us Ojukwu was able to instigate the civil war because he was the head of Eastern region. If we go back to regionalism, non-entities like Nnamdi kanu will rise again and start pushing for biafra which is a bad omen for Nigeria. No part of the country must be allowed to split for no reason. Lord Luggard was an intellectual when he merged us together. There is strength in unity. Let's keep maintaining the present federal system till the Igbo's are patriotic enough to forget biafra

You are backward beast. So, we must forget restructuring because you want to keep Nigeria together? We must remain together even if the economy is going down then drain? You must be a kid sha. No individual with useful sense will make a a comment so vacuous, vapid and dull-witted.

[s]

achieverme:


You are backward beast. So, we must forget restructuring because you want to keep Nigeria together? We must remain together even if the economy is going down then drain? You must be a kid sha. No individual with useful sense will make a a comment so vacuous, vapid and dull-witted.

[/s]



Every one can see the ploy behind the recent cries for restructuring. It's a plan B after their series of protests failed to bring a referendum. Regionalism will give the easterners the impression that they can rule themselves and form their country. It will never happen. The federal system of government is what is preferable when we have renegades agitating for biafra. The Igbo's should up their political game and build brigdes so they can produce president. I say no to restructuring and biafra. I trust buhari to throw such calls into the dust bin as usual

kenny987:
True, simple and short! Power n responsibilities need to devolve from d centre to federating units. This way the true development potentials of every region will be brought to the fore at their own pace! This bottle feeding business is terribly unsustainable and a complete aberration!

A look at real successful world powers will disclose this obvious fact. They did not get to where they are by one unwieldy central body colonising resources and redistributing same under some dodgy allocation scheme. They aren't stuck with a police force that is under the sole control of an over powerful centre thereby making nonsense of the title of Chief Security Officers which state governors are meant to be. There is so much wrong with this bastardised federalism we operate that it just needs to give way!

i love ur piece...itz concise and apt..but i beg 2 differ!the major problem we are having right now is our stste governors,they are so lazy and av refused 2 work,rarely stay in their states,frequents Abuja and embark on foreing trips way more than they should.ever heard of that saying about somebody dt pays d piper dictating d tune?thats exactly what is obtainable between d state Nd federal government,they have reduced themselves 2d status of beggars,av no original idea of moving their respective states 4ward..tell me..how they will be respected at d center!let the governors get their acts 2geta and concentrate on improving d infrastructures in their states,employ and pay workers when due...draw up a road map 2 augment their federal allocation eith d 1 been generated internally and then we can start talkin about restructurin.
its quite pathetic that we leave those we should point accusing fingers at and instead focus only on d federal body...when d state government is much more closer 2d people.if we feel d impact of d state..we will even forget that their is a president at d center.GOODMORNING and hope u had a plesant nite rest?and that reminds me...dont compare us 2d d european and Asian government...they have a different mentality from d black.

modath:


Did i really read this or i just imagined you put this crap there in error? The colonial masters only did to ease administration, no ingenuity was involved..


I do not care for Kanu and his brand of hate filled rhetorics but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with wanting to be in charge of one's destiny & carve out a seperate path for oneself...

This present agitation was borne out of a knee jerk reaction to losing political stock (irrefutable fact!!!) but they still have inalienable right to self expression which you

Ojukwu is not a factor here since he never got his wish




There is no unity in coercion... I'm only pro unity because a bigger country is able to achieve more if the atmosphere is conducive and everyone's thought align but in a situation where it isn't obtainable, peaceful and advancing smaller nations remain great alternatives..

BTW, you also can't force patriotism on people, IT'S A CONSCIOUS CHOICE...

Mehn, a taya for you people!! Seriously..

You really have time schooling that unintelligent fellow.

kenny987:


Please do some good research in answering these and i leave u to decide whether in all honesty and without bias, it is merely because of loss of political stock.

Massob & other groups have been going about their call in tandem with global best practices till this new guy emerged with his brand of bile..

This time 2014, did we have same situation? Where were they all these while? We all know how things went down & what precipitated this new wave of "anger"

It's the same people that were shouting GEJ or death that transmuted to Biafra or death, It's hard to adopt another stance in the face of such glaring evidence...



P.S... Are you truly "f" or the usual NL kind?

sheyguy:
Did GEJ restructure? Please tell us how if you think he did.

My brother go and read the comprehensive Confab report 2014. And see whether he was not on a mission to restructure or not.

The document is on d net; I Av gone thru it. U should so u don't come here disgracing urself.

searchiing4love:
Restructuring is not the solution but the present status quo. Restructuring is a cunny attempt by easterners to achieve biafra and it won't happen. History tells us Ojukwu was able to instigate the civil war because he was the head of Eastern region. If we go back to regionalism, non-entities like Nnamdi kanu will rise again and start pushing for biafra which is a bad omen for Nigeria. No part of the country must be allowed to split for no reason. Lord Luggard was an intellectual when he merged us together. There is strength in unity. Let's keep maintaining the present federal system till the Igbo's are patriotic enough to forget biafra

all these because of one tribe?

chaii no wonder you're searching for love

[s]

modath:


Massob & other groups have been going about their call in tandem with global best practices till this new guy emerged with his brand of bile..

This time 2014, did we have same situation? Where were they all these while? We all know how things went down & what precipitated this new wave of "anger"

It's the same people that were shouting GEJ or death that transmuted to Biafra or death, It's hard to adopt another stance in the face of such glaring evidence...



P.S... Are you truly "f" or the usual NL kind?

[/s]
what's this one saying?

If Nigeria indeed wants progress and sincere unity, the states should control their resources and development themselves. This present over-centralised structure is an enemy to our development.

A lot of people have erroneously limited the restructuring talks to something that will benefit only a section of the country but that's untrue.

Niger state has about 3 dams; Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro but still experiences regular power outage due to the wrong and unworkable system in place. The dams located within Niger state should only benefit Niger state and other states that are willing to pay.

Why should other states benefit from VAT generated in Lagos? Every penny generated in Lagos should benefits only the Lagos people. That's the way same nations are run. The ports in Lagos generate so much for the state but the revenue is hijacked by the ineffective FG.

Lagos state has enough resources to build, generate, transmit and distribute enough power as to give stable power supply to its people but the current constitution doesn't allow for that. Every state should develop at their own pace.

There's enough gold in Kaduna to harness and better the lot of the people but the FG will hijack the business hence the reluctance of the state government going into it full scale.

The game is wrong. We need to change the rules. With a bad game, there's very little the players can do.