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Governors elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have joined forces with the National Leader of Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, say restructuring and true federalism remain the only way to save Nigeria as the country heads towards the unknown.
Recall Tinubu had before now lent his voice recently to the barrage of voices calling on the federal government to urgently heed the calls for restructuring the country, a call which has fallen on deaf ears or simply ignored by the Federal Government.
Writing off Buhari's government resulting from weak governance, economy and law enforcement which the APC governors blame Nigeria's imminent break-up on, immediate restructuring of the country , the APC governors say , remain the only way forward under the existing circumstances.
The Governors' position was stated in an eight-page document entitled “There has to be a nation first'', and called for immediate adjustment of the present federal structure.
The governors said: “It appears that demands framed by different groups in terms of political restructuring or true federalism can be met through adjustment in Nigeria’s federal system.
“Although such adjustment will not on its own address the root and branch of Nigeria’s challenges, it is worth pursuing in order to meet the demands of various Nigerian groups. The focus of this restructuring is to restore the principle of non centralisation of power in the country’s federal arrangement being the defining element of a federal polity.
“Alongside the imperative of political and fiscal decentralization, contiguous states can pool resources to address common development challenges and embark on projects that can have maximum effect and efficiency through endevours.
“Where possible, and agreed upon, a regional approach to development issues that take cognisance of existing comparative advantages within the existing regions as the initiatives in the Southwest has demonstrated.
“Alongside addressing the issues of structures in the Nigerian federalism and the mode of allocation of resources among the constituent elements, there is the need to address deficit in governance and politics accountability.
“PGF challenges ethnic agitators and militant groups to demand good governance and effective service delivery at all levels where the Nigerian state system exists with endowed constitutional responsibilities.
“We charge genuine youth organisations to seek truly empowering programmes targeted at the youth population at all levels to demonstrate their commitment to a Nigerian nation that makes inclusive growth and development possible.”
The APC governors condemned the ultimatum to Igbo to leave the North, saying “the Progressives Governors Forum has watched with consternation and grief, the reckless and bellicose utterances of groups, organisations and individuals fanning the ember of ethnic and regional hate and openly seeking the dismemberment of Nigeria.
“It is even more regrettable, different groups issuing provocative statements, including the various Arewa groups that pose as representatives of northern Nigeria and other groups that issue statements on behalf of other parts of Nigeria, lack roots in the communities they claim to represent.
“It is however conceded that the proliferation of these youth groups in the first place is a reflection of the failure of development agenda that has not created a future for its youth population who now turn their energy to unproductive ventures, including serving as cannon fodders for politicians out of power.
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