Umahi on restructuring: Let’s have six vice-presidents — one from each region

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says the rising “tension” in Nigeria will reduce, if the country is restructured in a way that one vice-president will represent each geo-political zone.

Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, on Monday, Umahi said the adoption of six vice-presidents will be a major step towards restructuring the country.

Recently, the concept of restructuring has dominated the Nigerian political space with many stakeholders coming out to offer their views about the concept.

Asked about his views on the agitations for restructuring and what he will advise President Muhammadu Buhari to do, he added that more powers should go to states.

“Well, I have a different view about this restructuring thing. My position about restructuring — for example: there are certain valid suggestions that have been made, to have six vice-presidents in the country,” he said.

“Each one is kind of coming from each of the geo-political zones. Tension will go down. This is very important.”

He also advocated for what he described as “administrative restructuring”, in which more powers and responsibilities will be devolved to sub-national governments.

“Now, I will recommend administrative restructuring, which is making sub-national governments to be strengthened — devolving power and responsibilities to sub-national governments; abolishing the local governments,” he added.

‘BUHARI HAS DONE MORE FOR SOUTH-EAST THAN PDP IN 16 YEARS’

Umahi also claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari has done more projects in the south-east than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) achieved in its 16 years in power.

He noted that the rising insecurity in the country is a seed planted during the administration of the PDP.

“The insecurity that they used against APC is a seed that was sown in 16 years of PDP administration and so it started germinating, bearing fruit at the time they were still in power,” he said.

“That is why we are suffering now and that is why Mr president is doing everything to solve it.

“Mr president has done more projects in the south-east, than we had in 16 years of PDP.”