Groups Protest at Embassies, Demand Nigeria’s Restructuring

Fri, Jun 3, 2016
By publisher
3 MIN READ

Political Briefs

– 

FOLLOWING the call by Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president for the restructuring of Nigeria to ensure the development and growth of the federating units, four civil society groups stormed three embassies in Lagos on Thursday, June 2, to demand the support of the foreign nations for the reorganisation of Nigeria’s federating units.the foreign missions, where the protesters, led by the Nigerian National Summit Group, NNSG, were granted audience were those of the United States, Italy and Germany. There were no officials to receive the protesters at the Indian High Commission. At the US Consulate on Walter Carrington Avenue, Victoria Island in Lagos, the protesters were received by Jessica Newl and Tim Doren, US Embassy officials, who were given petition letters addressed to the US President, Barrack Obama.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Tony Uranta, executive secretary, NNSG, said for President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to prevent anarchy, it should urgently implement many of the resolutions that were passed during the 2014 National Conference.

“A lot of work went into producing that report drafted by seasoned Nigerians from different parts of the country. We cannot sit and watch this nation crumble when we have a workable solution that could set the nation on the part of greater development,” Uranta said.

 At the US Embassy, Efiye Bribena, head of research and strategy, NNSG, said the peaceful protest was embarked upon to call the attention of the international community to the abnormalities of the country’s federal system. “Restructuring is the only solution we can use to right the wrongs. There is a lot of dissatisfaction among the different ethnic groups and regions and we are saying that the National Conference report of 2014 should be implemented.”

On his part, Ahmed Suleiman, national secretary, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, said, “We are calling for the restructuring of Nigeria because that is the only thing that will set us on the right path. We think the 2014 confab report would provide ample guidance for the restructuring of the country.”

In her address, Vera Okei-Shomefun, secretary-general, Youths Arise for Change, said the differences among the ethnic groups needed to be addressed. She said the federal government was not doing well to end the incessant killings by Fulani herdsmen in the country.

Atiku, had said on Tuesday, May 31, that the country should be restructured in order to address the feelings of marginalisation by component units that made up the country. “Agitations by many right-thinking Nigerians call for a restructuring and a renewal of our federation to make it less centralised, less suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of our country’s constituent units and localities,” the vice-president said.

—  Jun 13, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT

|

Tags: