Buhari rules out restructuring Nigeria during his tenure describing such calls as unpatriotic

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has categorically ruled out restructuring Nigeria during his tenure saying that his government will not succumb to blackmail and be intimidated into adopting a policy which it does not believe in.

On October 1, Nigeria clocked 60 and as part of the independence day debate, there were countless calls for the restructuring of the country. For instance, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), urged President Buhari to restructure Nigeria to avoid the possibility of the country breaking up.

In a swift response, however, President Buhari in a statement signed by his official spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, said his administration will not succumb to threats and undue pressure over the matter. Several socio-cultural groups including Ohaneze Ndigbo, Afenifere and Niger Delta have all renewed theirs call for the restructuring of Nigeria over the last week.

In his statement, President Buhari dismissed the recurring threats as unpatriotic outbursts, adding that the government would not take any decision against the interest of 200m Nigerians. He added as an elected leader under this constitution, he would continue to work with patriotic Nigerians in line with the parliamentary processes to finding solutions to issues affecting the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people.

President Buhari said: "The presidency responds to the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the president to do one thing or another or else, in their language, the nation will break up. This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decisions out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the Covid-19 health crisis.

Mallam Shehu added: "Repeat - This administration will not take any decision against the interests of 200m Nigerians, who are the president’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of health crisis.”