Atiku: Nigeria needs to restructure to prevent various failed state prophecies

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says restructuring can help Nigeria to tackle some of its challenges.

Nigeria is currently engulfed in multiple crisis such as insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, ethnic crisis, unemployment, among others.

At the 18th Daily Trust Dialogue, which held in Abuja on Thursday, prominent Nigerians, including John Nwodo, the immediate past president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo sociopolitical group; Ayo Adebanjo, a chieftain of Afenifere, Yoruba sociopolitical group; and Audu Ogbeh, chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, said there is an urgent need to restructure Nigeria.

In an article on Monday, Atiku backed the call for restructuring, saying it is the solution to the problems raging the country.

He described the current system of government as “an ad hoc temporary solution to a challenge that emerged after the January 15, 1966 coup decapitated the central and most regional governments”.

The former vice-president said Nigeria has foundational challenges that need to be tackled with urgency.

“Nigeria needs to be restructured. Just look at Nigeria today. This truth is staring us in our collective faces. The current ethnic and religious clashes bedevilling Nigeria are symptoms of the disease. They themselves are not the illness. We must address the root causes of the various symptoms of insecurity Nigeria now faces,” he wrote.

“Nigeria needs peace, unity and prosperity. But all three of these virtues are dependent on Nigeria having social justice. Without justice, there cannot be cohesiveness in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation as Nigeria.

“Nigeria has foundational issues, which we have to resolve. Until we resolve those issues, our nation may not fulfil its potentials of being the beacon of light for the Black Race, even if we have the most righteous people at the helm.”

He said the country is on the brink of becoming a failed state, adding that devolution of powers to the region remains the way forward.

“Nigeria needs to restructure to avoid the various failed state prophecies, first advanced by an American think-tank against Nigeria in 2006. Most recently regurgitated by the Financial Times of London, about a month ago. To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” he said.

“Nigeria is not a failed state. However, we are at risk of becoming a failed state, if we do not resolve our foundational challenges that make it rather difficult for the central government to discharge her responsibilities effectively.

“It is time to feel our nation’s pulse and steer the ship of state away from a failed state destination. Restructuring is the lighthouse that will guide the Nigerian state’s ship back to the safety of land. And it is not just for the big line items. Even in the little things, we must restructure, for the good of our people.

“We must stop fighting each other as Nigerians, and we must start fighting for Nigeria. Arise o compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey. Nigeria is calling for restructuring. And I urge all Nigerians to obey our mother’s voice.”

In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari said there should be proper definition of what Nigerians want before the government can delve into restructuring.

In an interactive session with Nigerians based in France, the president said people are “talking loosely about restructuring”.

“Let them define it and then we see how we can peacefully do it in the interest of Nigerians,” he had said.

“They are just saying they want Nigeria restructured and they don’t have the clue of what the form the restructuring should be. So, anybody who talks to you about restructuring in Nigeria, ask him what he means and the form he wants it to take.”