Politics
- By Anayo Ezugwu
GOVERNOR Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has aligned with those calling for restructuring of Nigeria. But the governor said restructuring must be done to strengthen the nation’s unity and not divide the country.
At the fifth anniversary lecture of News Express, an online news website on Thursday, September 28, the governor said he aligned with those advocating for restructuring on the basis of national unity.
Bello, who was represented at the event by Jibrin Ndache, his chief press secretary, said: “But in advancing for restructuring, we should be mindful that Nigeria’s case is not different from the rest of the world. The restructuring should not be seen from the point of view that the country is heading for disintegration, but to strengthen our unity and diversity. Therefore, I align myself with President Buhari on the issues of crossing the red lines.
“We should first of all define the primary basis for the restructuring discussion and dialogue in moving Nigeria forward. The discussions should be measured on building a peaceful nation and national unity. I equally align myself with Bola Tinubu on the issue of national unity,” he said.
Nevertheless, the governor refused to make any categorical statement on issues he wants to see in the restructuring, saying that the discussion is ongoing at the party level. He said he would rather wait on the party to take a position on restructuring of the nation.
Supporting his view, Femi Adesina, special adviser on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, said there is no proper definition of what kind of restructuring Nigeria should undergo. He said because of this, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has set up committee to go round the country to know what the people want to see in restructuring.
“APC has a manifesto and devolution of power is in it. President Buhari believes in restructuring. What he wants is restructuring that will deepen our unity and not the one that will divide the country. No president or government would allow the country he swore to protect to be disintegrated.”
According to Adesina, the political alignments during the 2015 presidential election have shown that Nigeria is designed for self-restructuring. He said this doesn’t mean that the discussion for restructuring should not continue.
He said the country should be more worried over the escalating fake and hate news in the country. According to him, statistics has shown that the world consume more fake news than the real news. Stressing the pervasiveness of fake news and desire of people for it, Adesina said during the 2016 US presidential election, 20 million people rebroadcast or retweeted 20 pieces of fake news, while only 7000 people did same with real news
“Just last Tuesday, the president addressed the United Nations, UN, but on Monday I saw a purported speech that the president was supposed to present at the UN meeting. But because I read the original copy of the speech I knew that it was fake. Next to fake news is hate news. Those behind them do not mean well for this country,” Adesina said.
Other speakers at the event include Goddy Uwazurike, president emeritus, Aka Ikenga, Emmanuel Jime, managing director, NEPZA, director general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Kudo Eresia-Eke, general manager, external relations, Nigeria LNG Limited and Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox technologies.
– Sept. 29, 2017 @ 11:24 GMT |
Tags: Femi Adesina GOVERNOR Abubakar Sani Bello Governor Bello supports Call for Restructuring Nigeria Jibrin Ndache News Express President Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari
