House of Reps speaker Yakubu Dogara adds his voice to calls for the restructuring of Nigeria

HOUSE of Representative speakers Hon Yakubu Dogara has thrown his weight behind the ongoing campaign for the country to be restructured calling for the restructuring of Nigeria’s federal structure in line with the country’s peculiar circumstances.

Over the last three years, calls for the restructuring of Nigeria have become very loud with the component parts of the country pointing out that it is the only way to prevent the nation tearing itself apart. These calls have become particularly strident amid President Muhammadu Buhari's perceived lopsided government, which unduly favours northern Nigeria in terms of appointments and policies.

Yesterday, Hon Dogara and a representative of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Chief Dipo Jemileyin, called for the restructuring of Nigeria’s federal structure in line with the country’s peculiar circumstances. They spoke during the third Annual National Summit with the theme Reforming the Nigeria Federation Which Way Forward, organised by Save Democracy Africa in Abuja.

Hon Dogara, himself from the northeast, called for a proper audit and restructuring of our existing federal system to give a sense of belonging to all Nigerians. He added that in order for Nigeria to achieve true federalism, a unique system of federalism which takes into account our local circumstances should be created.

“Talk of Nigeria’s success or genuine federalism can no longer hold water, given the state of internal insurgencies, divisiveness, ethnic and religious schism witnessed in several parts of Nigeria. Efforts at wishing away the problem associated with the Nigerian federation have only resulted into several tribal, ethnic and religious movements that have even metamorphosed into terrorist syndicates.

“One can, therefore, no longer fold his arms but engage some of the issues that have confronted us as a nation and threatened the Nigerian federation and this forum provides one of the opportunities for such interrogation. That Nigeria could survive despite predictions to the contrary by the world powers not only portrays a ray of hope but also demonstrate that the Nigerian federation has come to stay," Hon Dogara added.

Also at the event, a former president of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, expressed his confidence that Nigeria has what it takes to deal with its internal issues and uphold the promise of the black race. He also said a deliberate policy by Tanzania’s founding fathers ensured that ethnic tensions which led several African nations to civil war were kept at bay.

Hon Dogara added: “It is therefore incumbent on us to fashion out our own type of federalism that is best suited to our people and to local circumstances. There should be genuine efforts to build the nation.

“Therefore ethnic, religious and sectional agenda should take the back stage. The essence of federalism is to foster unity and development but his however, has not been achieved.”

Chief Jemileyin, explained that the Yoruba race had always vouched for regional autonomy which he said remained Nigeria’s best option to enhance growth and promote peaceful co-existence. He added that the southwest wanted elections to be organised and conducted by regional/zonal electoral commissions in order to have free, fair and credible polls.