Arewa Leaders Give Conditions For Nigeria’s Restructuring

Northern leaders under the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have said unless calls for Nigeria’s restructuring will be on basis of “just, fair and equitable principles”, proponents of the term should perish the thought.

The ACF, in a statement on Wednesday, after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna, also called for clarity of the term restructuring as it argues that while the term means true federalism to some Nigerians, it means fiscal federalism or resource control to others.

“ACF has observed with keen interest the current nationwide debate on the term, restructuring of the country, as being canvassed by some people, groups and even prominent citizens. The term, however, means different things to different people or groups.

“To some, it is true federalism, whatever that means. For others it is fiscal federalism, while some groups tout resource control, yet we have those for resource ownership.

“ACF notes with regret that those clamouring or demanding for the so-called restructuring are yet to define what they actually mean by the concept and its application in our present democratic setting. In most cases, the meaning depends on which section of the country or where the person advocating it comes from.

“It is, therefore, the considered view of the ACF that any acceptable restructuring meant to improve the unity, stability, harmony and peaceful coexistence of the country must be based on just, fair and equitable principles to all Nigerians that come with clarity of definition,” the statement signed by Mohammed Biu, ACF publicity secretary, read.