With the mirage an numerous ills and inadequacies battling the Nigerian federal system, the failure of the nation Nigeria over six decades of independence and existence as a sovereign nation to thrive and attain the leagues of world powers; to attain a society with a matured political setup, a united Federating units and a responsive cum all inclusive government which can be only heralded by good and progressives leadership.
There’s been various calls for restructuring the nation one that will see that the various ills and inadequacies of the present federal system of government which has been proven beyond reasonable doubt to be expensive and costly to operate, one that has a constitution which has failed to out rightly and effectively address the needs of the nation and protect the interest of the people. One that has given power to just a few at the expenses of the masses.
The shouts and demands for restructuring the nation has never been this high and for a government that was elected based on its promises during its Campaign period that it will see to the restructuring of the nation if elected, the populace has over the years watched with long necks and anxious minds when the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in Nigeria will finally take the bull by the horn and do the needful by bringing forth to the table of national discourse, the much clamored and highly demanded restructuring of the nation. This agitations and demands have however been silenced and totally ignored by the incumbent administration in Nigeria.
While the constant pattern which sees the Nation’s leadership ignore the yearnings of the people and their demands, the over- reaching and over zealous, equally blinded and swayed with emotions nature of the President Muhammadu Buhari Spokesmen, Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina has made it hard for thoughts and consciousness of the need to push further the need for restructuring the nation.
Their usual activities and poised to countering advocates of restructuring the nation in a bid to save it from the slippery slope which might lead to the final stop of the nation. The duos have a canny way of doing their master’s bidding, which in the course of the or loyalty to fronting the “ Buharism” philosophy always resort to painting Advocates of restructuring the nation as Anti Progressives, Unpatriotic elements and ones who are bent on causing division and provoking the public anger which they always say will lead to contention.
It will be recalled that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye couple of weeks ago stressed the need for the Nigerian Government to ensure that it restructure the nation else it stands the risk of seeing its Federating units fall apart in secession. It must be noted that the much respected religious leader of one of the largest Christian denomination barely talk about National issue as he has an indirect way or approach to addressing the nation’s challenges.
By implications, for the man of God to have taken to the public to fully and directly address the Nigerian populace, with special reference to the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in Nigeria, it’s beyond all clarity that it’s become very important and expedient for him to do so.
In the statement given by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, he explained that many people had given the opinion that the only way or solution to navigating through the nation’s challenges is through the situation of a break away that’s secession which will see the nation Federating units fall apart. He noted that session will in no way put an end to the nation’s woes in any way whatsoever instead he explained that the if we go the path of secession in Nigeria, it will be like solving math problem using linear equation as if the problem of the nation is a simple equation, instead he opined that solving the problem of the nation can only be solved as if you are using a simultaneous equation. He further explained that there is a high need for the government to restructure the nation else the inevitable happens.
He stated that it’s either we Restructure or we break up, nobody wants the nation to break, which is why we must restructure.
Responding to the submission of Pastor E.A Adeboye, Mallam Shehu explained that the opinion of the clergyman was nothing but another unpatriotic advice which has the potential of ruining the nation by causing havoc. He explained that the mat
Another instance of the presidential spokesmen intolerant of Advocates of restructuring in the nation is the case of Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media when the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) backtracked in his plan to lead a protest against the hike of the price of fuel and electricity tariff. The Nigerian Labor Congress was highly criticized for doing such as many people believed that the body has been compromised.
Responding to those criticizing the decision of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) Femi Adesina responded that some people had planned using the protest to unleash violence and terror on the general Nigeria populace hence their dissatisfaction over the decision of the body to call off the strike. He also added that body was sensible enough to call off the strike and not allow itself to be used by unscrupulous elements cause mayhem in the country.
With the two cases of the President spokesmen and their perchance for silencing people who comes forward to bear their opinion on how the nation can be moved forward, it’s highly important to note and point out that every citizen of the country have a right to air their opinion and in response this right must be respected and not attacked just because you are protecting your principal Officer.
The duo must come to realize that while it’s their job to do their master’s bidding, there’s no denial that the nation is falling apart and there is a need for the government to do something drastic which it is not getting right. If Nigeria with a popular voice are calling and demanding for a reform or restructuring, the presidency and its clique must respect this and see into addressing the demand of the people and not necessarily attack it in response.
By Marcus Amudipe