Restructuring Nigeria into six federating units units
Peacefully and divinely, I support. But the most feasible way being looked at is the type of restructuring that we have read the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku say in many forums. The latest was at the 40th Anniversary of the Nigeria-Britain Association lecture that took place at the Nigerian Institute of […]
Peacefully and divinely, I support. But the most feasible way being looked at is the type of restructuring that we have read the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku say in many forums. The latest was at the 40th Anniversary of the Nigeria-Britain Association lecture that took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs tagged, “Akintola Williams Annual Lecture” (front page Vanguard, November 11, 2009).
He spoke just like the former Ghanaian President Kuffour, who was also at the forum, spoke. President Kuffour insisted that the immunity clause is the main cause of corruption in Nigeria and described it as militarist, saying that once Ghana went back to real democracy, the clause was expunged and urged Nigeria to do same.
Chief Anyaoku had posited that Nigeria should be restructured into six federating units with the 36 states serving as development centres. This could be akin to the Lagos State’s local government structure which is now a bone of contention between Lagos State and the Federal Government. My feeling is in line with Chief Anyaoku’s, but before then, let a new state be created for the South-East zone ‘federating unit’ (raising it to six states) if you like, so as to bring it in line with the other four zones (but for one that has seven states presently). I would add that creating such federating units would only be for trial or as a forerunner to their eventual full independence as countries.
With the above systematic approach, the government at the centre will become so unattractive to those up there that it will be easy for eventual friendly and full-blown independence as suggested above. Nigeria needs this as a matter of urgency and progress.
Itoro Akpabio, 186 Umuahia Road, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.