Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said on Tuesday that Nigeria is not working effectively because of the way it has been structured – deploying more power to the centre than the federating states.
Speaking at a book launch in Abuja, Atiku said there was the need to restructure the country and renegotiate the union in order to make it stronger and more united.
Atiku said: “Nigeria is not working as well as it should and part of the reason is the way we have structured our country and governance, especially since the late 1960s. The federal government is too big, and too powerful relative to the federating states. That situation needs to change, and calling for that change is patriotic.
“We must refrain from the habit of assuming that anyone calling for the restructuring of our federation is working for the breakup of the country. An excessively powerful centre does not equate with national unity. If anything, it has made our unity more fragile, our government more unstable and our country more unsafe.
“We must renegotiate our union in order to make it stronger. Greater autonomy, power and resources for states and local authorities will give the federating units greater freedom and flexibility to address local issues, priorities and peculiarities.
“It will help to unleash our people’s creative energies and spur more development. It will reduce the premium placed on capturing power at the centre. It will help with improving security. It will promote healthy rivalries among the federating units and local authorities. It will help make us richer and stronger as a nation.”
2019 campaing has started. We are listening.
ReplyDeleteAtiku has hit the nail at the head. He who has ear let him hear. Buhari take note.
ReplyDeleteBuhari take note? No chance
Delete...They have started again.when the time comes they will deny ever said or promised that. But why Nigeria is not working is because some wicked heatless and selfish Nigerian politician often say and had sworn to make Nigerians ungovernable if they are not in total control of the petroleum resources. Long live Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteOcheme, Atiku has always said this.
Delete...They have started again.when the time comes they will deny ever said or promised that. But why Nigeria is not working is because some wicked heatless and selfish Nigerian politician often say and had sworn to make Nigerians ungovernable if they are not in total control of the petroleum resources. Long live Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteMr. Atiku, return all the money you stole from your days in Customs and Vice President you see that Nigeria is created by Allah to work. Do not forget to advise looters like you to fear Allah and return whatever they stole b4 that time that none of you will be in position to return the loots.
ReplyDeletePDP, your party wasted 16 good years of this country. You now start dramatizing as if you have the love for Nigeria.
Annonymous4.01am y are u so indifferent that u are only to make a baseless comment some1 is trying to advise the nation but you just not contributing but coercing
DeleteAhAh! Atiku is APC. He is one of the founding fathers of APC!!
DeleteIt is well in Jesus name
ReplyDeleteNigeria is not working, but you are one the people that don't make it works. You fucking faggort better returns all the looted money with you. I only love Buhari because he's a very clean northerner. If not our only option is separation.
ReplyDeleteThis statement by atiku,is the simple truth...but my problem is that it might not have been said with total sincerity of purpose..negotiation,negotiation,negotiation,that's all of we keep hearing...a national confab was organised by the last administration,and it has not been touched,even if this administration organises it's own,the next administration might not touch it,all because of politics,its just a pity this marriage is not working...
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