2019 elections: Buhari, Osinbajo plying opposite lanes on nation’s restructuring
Whereas Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had at several fora, agreed that the nation is in need of restructuring so as to unleash dormant potentials of every state and region of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the visit of the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Maj. Gen Felix Mujakperuo, other traditional rulers and leaders of Urhobo Progress Union, said described calls for restructuring of the country as parochial and laced with selfish interest.
In his remarks, Buhari pointed out that some of the views being canvassed by interest groups on restructuring were not properly coordinated and did not align with constitutional provisions.
Buhari said “You mentioned something, which is topical these days; the restructuring of Nigeria. Every group asking for restructuring has got its own agenda and I hope it can be accommodated by the constitution. I assure you that you are not forgotten and I am pleased you appreciate the appointments by this administration of some citizens of your kingdoms”.
As 2019 general elections hot up, there has been growing demand for restructuring across many geopolitical regions and a number of presidential aspirants with the exception of President Buhari have agreed to restructure the country to reflect modern reality and yearnings of the populace.
Besides, some political pundits say with the way and manner the federation is being run without restructuring, some regions’ economic and human potentials may remain untapped if the country continues to be run like a unitary state in practice and federalism in the constitution.
In some quarters, analysts saw the calls for restructuring as calls for true federalism.
