BY Andrew Ajijah, on September 28, 2017

Officials of states in the North-central zone of Nigeria on Thursday said they would support the restructuring of Nigeria if it would deliver a true federal system for the country.

A clamour for restructuring particularly resonating in the southern part of Nigeria had forced the ruling All Progressives Congress to set up a committee to advise it on the hot political topic.

At the North-central zonal consultative forum organised by the APC committee in Jos on Thursday, Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said his people would oppose any restructuring that would draw back Nigeria’s development.

“Restructuring means different things to different people,” he said in a preface to his remarks.

“Some people are thinking restructuring is creation of local governments and states. If that is what it means, I don’t support it.”

However, he said he would endorse the process if the intention is to strengthen Nigeria’s federal system.

“Restructuring should be true federalism where our people will gain the value of democracy. If that is what it means, I am in support.”

On local government autonomy, Governor Al-Makura suggested that Nigeria should return to native authorities, the third tier of government in the defunct Northern Region of Nigeria.

Expressing the position of Plateau State, the representative of the state government at the forum, John Wade, said the state was in full support of restructuring of Nigeria.

According to Mr. Wade, the potential gains from restructuring Nigeria are enormous, stressing that the exercise would address issues hampering the development of the country.

The APC legal Adviser, Omale Omale, who represented Benue State, said restructuring was necessary and offers hope for national development.

Mr. Omale said the process should deliver devolution of power and land reform.

The Vice President of the APC for the North-central zone, Idris Zakare, said the public hearing was organized by the party towards achieving good governance in Nigeria.

The event was attended by several traditional rulers, opinion leaders, APC stalwarts and civil society groups from Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/244520-nasarawa-plateau-back-restructuring-want-true-federalism.html

this one's are middle beltans.....good
I think the north will be left alone

Katisina and Kano, una see una parasitic life? Useless leeche

It's the people who are feeding fat presently that are busing shouting unity unity. Unity yes. But the type of unity has to be redefined. And that's what restructuring is all about

It behoves on our representatives from the south to identify those states from the north who want restructuring and co-opt them.

This is good news. Hopefully the report means the law makers in those states will be favourably disposed to a restructuring of the country.

With the SE, SS and SW likely to vote in favour of restructuring, we are gradually getting close. We need as many North central states as possible as the core north will most likely ( as usual) be against it.

aolawale025:
It's the people who are feeding fat presently that are busing shouting unity unity. Unity yes. But the type of unity has to be redefined. And that's what restructuring is all about

Wanting the country to be restructured is not the same as wanting it to be divided. Get some education on this topic dude.

Maduawuchukwu:
It behoves on our representatives from the south to identify those states from the north who want restructuring and co-opt them.

I bloody hope Igbos take a lead on this. This is what ( in my opinion) they want if you ask me. Majority want the country restructured and not divided. Those who want division are only being mischievous.

A restructured Nigeria will benefit all as they the idiotic governors ( who sadly aren't getting as much heat as the presidency) will be forced to seat up as most will then know that whatever happens is mostly their governors' fault not the central.

abescom:
I bloody hope Ibos take a lead on this. This is what ( in my opinion) they want if you ask me. Majority want the country restructured and not divided. Those who want division are only being mischievous.

A restructured Nigeria will benefit all as they the idiotic governors ( who sadly aren't getting as much heat as the presidency) will be forced to seat up as most will then know that whatever happens is mostly their governors' fault not the central.

It is Igbo and not Ibo.