GRPolitics

Restructuring Remains the Issue

Published

7 years ago

January 12, 2018

grassroots

If President Muhammadu Buhari’s intention was to kill the restructuring debate with his January 1st broadcast, he succeeded in doing the opposite as more and more people ‎joined the discourse after the broadcast, writes Christopher Isiguzo.

Recently, restructuring which used to exist within the exclusivity of notable elder statesmen led by renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, became a mantra in the political landscape with politicians and non-politicians advancing different definitions of the word.

However, even at a point, the ruling party somewhat embraced it after realising that making it an anathema might result in colossal political damage especially with the then towering influence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who vowed to continue his agitation until his main goal of the rebirth of the Biafran Republic was realised. The ruling class saw restructuring as an alternative for the Biafran project and as such it became a buzz word. Apart from the three geopolitical zones of South-East, South-South and South-West embracing it, the North Central also embraced it. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) even went as far as constituting a committee to examine the concept. The Northern Governors’ Forum also began serious discussion on restructuring.

But, all those efforts somehow fizzled out in the aftermath of the operation Python Dance in the south east which culminated in the routing of Kanu and members of his IPOB.

But, in his new year message to Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari uncharacteristically reintroduced the topic in a veiled plan to possibly end the discussion but that appeared to have boomeranged as that has reignited the almost death topic.

The president had said: “I have kept a close watch on the on-going debate about restructurig. No human law or edifice is perfect.
“Whatever structure we develop must periodically be perfected according to changing circumstances and the country’s socio-economic developments. We Nigerians can be very impatient and want to improve our conditions faster than may be possible considering our resources and capabilities. When all the aggregates of nationwide opinions are considered, my firm view is that our problems are more to do with process than structure.

“We tried the parliamentary system: we jettisoned it. Now there are shrill cries for a return to the parliamentary structure. In older democracies, these systems took centuries to evolve so we cannot expect a copied system to fit neatly our purposes. We must give a long period of trial and improvement before the system we have adopted is anywhere near fit for purpose.

“However, there is a strong case for a closer look at the cost of government and for the public services long used to extravagance, waste and corruption to change for the better. I assure you that government is ever receptive to ideas which will improve governance and contribute to the country’s peace and stability,”.

But, beyond the president’s position on restructuring, a known advocate of restructuring and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu had while delivering the Third Adada Lecture titled “Restructuring and the Nigerian Youth” at the University of Nigeria Nsukka insisted that time was fast running out for the country and as such the nation must quickly restructure or face the consequences.

At the event organized by the Association of Nsukka Professors, Ekweremadu said the continued resistance to restructuring was as a result of fear of the unknown, especially that of survival in the absence of free oil money. He however described this as ironical as, according to him, the same product was fast losing its value in global economy as many nations were already phasing out petrol and diesel-powered cars.

He said: “There is a gross misunderstanding of restructuring. There is the problem of political and ethno-sectional interests and sentiments. There is the fear of abuse of a decentralised police system. There is the fear of losing perceived advantages.

“Above all, there is the fear of survival under fiscal federalism. Some feel they are better off with free monies from Abuja, which could actually be pittances compared to what they could generate if they begin to access the bountiful wealth, such as solid minerals buried in their soils.

“Ironically, oil is fast going out of fashion. Many countries have found oil in large quantities, including those that used to patronise our oil.

“Importantly, it should worry us that many countries are already phasing out petrol and diesel engines. In July 2017, the United Kingdom announced plans to stop the production of petrol and gas-powered cars from 2040. As a champion of the efforts to preserve the earth, France has also unveiled plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040. Norway has what its former Minister of Climate and environment, Vidar Helgeson, called strong policy actions to ensure that zero fossil fuel cars is sold in the Nordic country by 2025.

“With the second highest concentration of electric cars in Europe, Netherlands is already targeting an emissions-free environment by 2030, which automatically rules out petrol and diesel-powered cars. In fact, it wants at least 200,000 electric cars on her roads by year 2020, which is only two years from now.

“The German Parliament, the Bundesrat, passed a resolution in 2016 seeking a ban on such engines starting from 2030. Although the resolution is not legally binding, Germany already had a policy to put at least 1million electric cars on her roads by year 2020. India plans to sell only electric cars by 2030, which is about the next 13 years.”

He noted that air pollution causes about 1.2 million deaths annually in the Asian country and cost the economy about 3% of GDP.
Denmark, Spain, South Korea, Ireland, Austria, and Japan, he noted were also in the race to phase-out petrol and diesel cars.

Ekweremadu urged the youth not to allow themselves to be divided on the subject of restructuring, but instead deploy their energies and social media skills to fight for their future by promoting a restructure of the country, which he said would promote good governance, employment opportunities, among others.

He said: “The youth should have a patriotic mind of their own to fix a broken federal system. The hardship, poverty, and retrogression, which our disjointed federal system imposes on Nigerians, have no tribal or regional marks. The man from Jigawa bears the brunt of the failures of the past 50 years just like his counterparts from Enugu, Oyo, Bayelsa, and Gombe.
According to him, unless Nigeria does something drastic and substantial to address its problems, the ensuing damage may be generational”.

The President General, Association of Nsukka Professors (ANP), Denchris Nnabuike Onah, said Nigeria was at a crossroads and standing on a precipice currently.

He said: “There is insurgency everywhere, crime rate has assumed frightening proportions and insecurity is pervasive. Pocket groups of various ethnic nationalities have metamorphosed, some armed, and others not armed or not so armed, clamouring for self-determination and/or resource control. Sections of the country were annexed and declared a Caliphate by a group and in other cases, war songs reached a crescendo, resulting in various dances of either the python or the crocodile.

“Divergent potential solutions to the Nigerian malady have been advanced by equally divergent persons and opinions: disintegration to the component ethnic nationalities, sovereign national conference, constitutional review, jettisoning of the military imposed constitution, return to parliamentary government, restructuring etc etc. Of these, none has been so recurrent, and perhaps more generally accepted, although interpreted differently by different people and sections, than restructuring.”

Also, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum as well as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. John Nwodo, disagreed with the president’s stance on the restructuring of the country, saying that the only way to go is for the federal government to restructure the federation and devolve powers to the states.

In a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin for the South-west, Senator Bassey Henshaw for the South-south, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu for the South-east and Mr. Isuwa Dogo for the Middle Belt, the forum insisted that powers must be devolved to the states.

The group said: “We cannot become a productive country under a 1999 Constitution which keeps 68 items on the Exclusive List including mineral resources which abound all over the country but which the states whose governors are constitutionally vested with authority over land cannot touch.

“We need to give authority to the federating units over their resources for self-sustenance and paying all necessary dues to the federation to sustain common services. We must devolve more powers and authorities to them to have effective state administrations. The federal police has shown it lacks the capacity to deal with crimes in a multi-ethnic society like ours, the imperative of state police has never been more urgent than now.

“Restructuring means nothing else than the above. It is a call for the return to a Nigeria that worked under federalism as against the failing state we are becoming under a unitary structure. Nigerians must organise, mobilise and work towards building an inclusive andproductive country in 2018 using all democratic and peaceful means.

“It is a year to battle for the soul of the country by the forces of federalism and upholders of a suffocating unitary system.”
The forum said the president could not resolve Nigeria’s problems by either running away from it or ascribing it to the wrong source.
It said: “Unfortunately that is what we are doing as a country by playing down our crisis of ‘structure’ while on a wild goose chase about ‘process’.

“This is akin to a man going to Benin City while driving towards Benin Republic. The faster he runs the farther he is away from his destination.

“The truth of the matter is that our nationhood crisis has peaked and there are no further opportunities to guarantee opportunities for our citizens no matter the good intentions of leaders or even unrealistic promises packaged to offer them false hope.

“In 1983, when the Shehu Shagari administration was overthrown, its budget for a country of 80 million people was $25 billion. Thirty-five years after, the Buhari government has just proposed a $23 billion budget for about 180 million people! “The above clearly shows that there is no way out of our systemic crisis except we resume productivity which was our hallmark in the years that we practised federalism as an entity.

“We have exhausted all possibilities of a rentier and sharing economy and all that is left is unemployment, hunger, gnashing of teeth and conflicts among nationalities over shrinking opportunities,” the forum added.

On his part, the Ohanaeze President-General, Nwodo warned that the world’s demand for oil was receding and that it might even further decline substantially in the next seven years, with implications as the main stay of the nation’s economy.

“Unless we begin to develop alternative sources of revenue our country will cease to exist. The only way to avoid this is to release our potential by devolution of powers. Until the government is nearer to the people and the people take their destiny into their hands the country cannot progress. We never agreed to be a country where the federal government will be a united policeman for the whole country.

We are not running a federation, we are running a unitary government and we cannot escape this,” Nwodo said.

GRPolitics

Unmasking the Campaign of Calumny against Dr Bello Matawalle

Writer: Habib Usman, writes from Abuja

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

grassroots

Recent protests and allegations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, have stirred controversy.

Organized demonstrations outside the Department of State Security (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, filled with hired crowds by APC AKIDA sponsored by Tijjani Ramallan and the Zamfara state government with unsubstantiated accusations, reveal a calculated attempt by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to discredit Dr. Matawalle.

This orchestrated campaign, fueled by political motives and a desire to undermine Matawalle’s position, demands closer scrutiny.

Reports indicate that these so-called protests are not spontaneous outcries from Zamfara’s citizens but rather an agenda-driven spectacle designed to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation.

According to sources, the protestors arrived in approximately 12 long buses, clearly organized and funded to create an image of discontent aimed at the minister.

The protestors, reportedly waving placards accusing Matawalle of colluding with criminals, are part of a broader strategy to mislead the public and manipulate the narrative around Zamfara’s complex security situation.

This orchestrated misinformation aligns with the ongoing media offensive spearheaded by Governor Lawal who has now recruited Tijjani Ramallan and his cohorts. Despite lacking concrete evidence, the governor has been on a persistent media campaign, linking Matawalle with criminal elements and falsely alleging his complicity in the state’s banditry crisis.

However, these accusations have repeatedly failed to withstand scrutiny, as underscored by a recent ruling from the Kano High Court.

The court issued an interim injunction barring Governor Lawal and his associates from continuing their smear campaign against Matawalle, stating that any further defamatory actions would be illegal until a substantive hearing on the matter.

The court order highlights the groundlessness of the governor’s claims and serves as a reminder that accusations against public officials must be substantiated by evidence, not driven by political vendettas.

By pursuing a smear campaign against a fellow public servant, Governor Lawal risks destabilizing not only his state but also the critical national security efforts in which Matawalle is involved.

Such actions could divert attention and resources from urgent security issues, ultimately harming the very citizens the governor purports to defend.

The governor’s tactic of repeatedly visiting media houses to disseminate misleading information about Dr. Matawalle has sparked concern among political observers and security experts alike.

His attempts to block Matawalle’s reappointment appear to be rooted more in political rivalry than in any genuine concerns about Zamfara’s security. It’s no coincidence that this intensified campaign began just as discussions about a potential cabinet reshuffle surfaced.

Dr. Matawalle’s growing influence, coupled with his steadfast loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has evidently made him a target for those who feel threatened by his rise.

For Nigerians, it is crucial to separate truth from politically motivated propaganda. The allegations against Dr. Matawalle are part of a coordinated campaign to undermine a dedicated public servant who has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s defence apparatus.

As the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle plays an essential role in shaping security policy, a responsibility he takes seriously and executes with distinction.

The public is advised to view the recent protests and media blitz with caution. It is imperative to consider the context: Governor Lawal’s relentless pursuit to discredit Matawalle, despite the court’s injunction against these defamatory efforts. Rather than yield to such divisive tactics, Nigerians should remain vigilant, prioritizing the integrity of national discourse over political maneuvering.

In conclusion, let us reject efforts to smear individuals serving in crucial roles, particularly when these efforts lack factual foundation and threaten to undermine national security. The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, deserves due process and an unbiased evaluation, free from political interference.nmasking the Campaign of Calumny Against Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle

Recent protests and allegations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, have stirred controversy. Organized demonstrations outside the Department of State Security (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, filled with hired crowds and unsubstantiated accusations, reveal a calculated attempt by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to discredit Dr. Matawalle. This orchestrated campaign, fueled by political motives and a desire to undermine Matawalle’s position, demands closer scrutiny.

Reports indicate that these so-called protests are not spontaneous outcries from Zamfara’s citizens but rather an agenda-driven spectacle designed to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation. According to sources, the protestors arrived in approximately 12 long buses, clearly organized and funded to create an image of discontent aimed at the minister. The protestors, reportedly waving placards accusing Matawalle of colluding with criminals, are part of a broader strategy to mislead the public and manipulate the narrative around Zamfara’s complex security situation.

This orchestrated misinformation aligns with the ongoing media offensive spearheaded by Governor Lawal.

Despite lacking concrete evidence, the governor has been on a persistent media campaign, linking Matawalle with criminal elements and falsely alleging his complicity in the state’s banditry crisis.

However, these accusations have repeatedly failed to withstand scrutiny, as underscored by a recent ruling from the Kano High Court.

By pursuing a smear campaign against a fellow public servant, Governor Lawal risks destabilizing not only his state but also the critical national security efforts in which Matawalle is involved.

Such actions could divert attention and resources from urgent security issues, ultimately harming the very citizens the governor purports to defend.

The governor’s tactic of repeatedly visiting media houses to disseminate misleading information about Dr. Matawalle has sparked concern among political observers and security experts alike.

Dr. Matawalle’s growing influence, coupled with his steadfast loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has evidently made him a target for those who feel threatened by his rise.

As the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle plays an essential role in shaping security policy, a responsibility he takes seriously and executes with distinction.

GRPolitics

Jigawa APC Warns Against Attacks on State Leaders

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2024

grassroots

The All Progressive Congress APC Jigawa state chapter has warned those launching attacks against the state leaders to desist from such.

A statement by Hon Aminu Sani Gumel, Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Jigawa State, reads:

“The party has been meticulously monitoring some write-up on social media and main stream media of the calculated attempt by some unscrupulous element to create disturbances and sow seed of disharmony in our great party.

“These elements who are not even card carrying members of our party are using some few narrow-minded party members in promoting their sinister agenda against party peace and stability.

“The led APC Jigawa state government under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi is a reflection and continuation of the immediate past state government led by H.E Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar CON mni.

“The two Leaders have the party confidence and regards to the higher esteem, their reputation is sacrosanct to us and must be guarded jealously.

“The Jigawa APC will never allow any misguided element to create discomfort or a scenario that may deter or interrupt the led APC Government from delivering it’s campaign promises in Jigawa state and Nigeria in general.

“One of the such flabbergasted sponsored report against our leader the Hon minister of Defence Muhammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni will be verified and an appropriate sanction will be applied.

“The faceless group that is not in any record of the APC headquarters Jigawa state had in their campaign of calumny labeled so many false allegations against the minister including anti-party.

“It is imperative to ask that where was this group when The Minister was APC Northern Region Campaign Coordinator, and successfully delivered Jigawa state and the Northern region to president Bola Ahmed Tinibu GCFR during the 2023 general election.

“Other childish and silly accusations against the Minister by the unknown group does not even worth to be mentioned.

“However for the record and public clarification , Jigawa APC will use all necessary avenue within the ambit of law to fish out the group and the sponsor for appropriate political and legal action that will be a deterrent to others with mischief intentions”.

GRPolitics

Zamfara: PDP members Praise Metawalle, Protest Against Gov. Lawal

…as Federal Lawmaker dumps PDP for APC, reports SANDRA ANI

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2024

grassroots

Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Zamfara State, took to the streets on Monday to protest what they described as poor governance under Governor Dauda Lawal.

Staging a strong protest against Governor Dauda Lawal, the protesters said that the tenure of the former governor of the State, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle is far better than the present one in terms of economic opportunities, job creation, and security.

The demonstrators accused the governor of neglecting citizens’ welfare, worsening hunger, and imposing candidates in local elections against the will of the people.

During the protest, participants expressed longing for the tenure of former Governor Bello Matawalle, whom they described as more responsive to the people’s needs.

“We miss former Governor Matawalle,” Ibrahim remarked, as fellow demonstrators echoed their agreement. “At least he cared for the people. We’re calling on him to run in the next election, and we will vote for him.”

Led by PDP local leader Muhammad Ibrahim Talatar Marafa, the protesters assembled at the local government headquarters, voicing their displeasure with the administration.

They criticized the governor for allegedly prioritizing personal luxury over the well-being of residents.

“We are tired of Governor Dauda’s policies,” Ibrahim said. “The people are suffering; hunger is rampant and has worsened. Meanwhile, the governor lives a lavish lifestyle, ignoring the plight of the ordinary citizen.”

The protesters also accused the governor of interfering in the party’s internal processes by imposing candidates in the recent local elections, a move they argued undermined democratic values.

“This is not democracy,” Ibrahim stated. “The people’s choice was disregarded. It feels as though Dauda is only interested in furthering his personal agenda, not addressing the needs of Zamfara.”

In addition to electoral concerns, the protesters raised alarms over rising insecurity, saying that the region remains increasingly exposed to bandit attacks. They also lamented the soaring cost of food and the general economic hardship residents are facing.

“The hunger situation here has gotten worse, and there seems to be no solution in sight,” one protester said. “People here are hungry.”

All these happening in the State must have necessitated the Federal lawmaker from Zamfara state, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gummi to leave PDP to Join APC.
Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gummi, a Federal House of Representatives member for Gummi/Bukkuyum Constituency, has dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The activities of Governor Lawal will spell doom for PDP in the State as the Party will soon be hit with more defection.