For the All Progressives Congress (APC), its governors and legislators to be truly progressive and move Nigeria forward, as those controlling the reins of power today, they must help to create a constitution that will make Nigeria equitable and sustainable, thereby putting Nigeria on the path of progress.
Religion that has been cause of disunity, violence, and retrogression must be boxed into privacy, since the constitution prohibits “state religion” so that religious people can take care of their religions in their shrines, temples, synagogues, churches, and mosques, while Nigerians unite to build a country of peace, progress and stability, where no one is oppressed.
Nigeria can also not be progressive and sustainable if key positions are not taken care-of, rotationally among the federating zones or regions. We must forestall a feeling of marginalization. Restructuring is imperative. A return to the regional/district structure as it used to be before the military era will drastically reduce administrative centres and costs of administration.
Increasing Nigeria’s states to 54 from 36 will only worsen the economic situation. Already, many states and local governments are unable to pay workers or owing workers several months of unpaid salaries and emoluments. Returning to the old region and district structure will minimize costs of administration and make funds available for infrastructure necessary for industrial advancement.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, is quoted as calling for dialogue as the solution to the agitation for the breakup of Nigeria. The All Progressive Governors Forum has also asked the federal government to commence negotiations with all agitators.
I am suggesting that the governors should not call on the federal government to engage in dialogue, but itself to help Nigeria find solutions along the line of equity and fairness, and use its influence on the APC and the legislators who are positioned to initiate change.
APC governors and legislators can help, and I believe opposition legislators will cooperate for positive change. Let the political powers that be bring change now. In addition to the foregoing there should be change to roaming of animals in crop farms. Animals are better reared in private places by their owners. The governors’ forum should not under-estimate its own power and influence, please.
Prof Oyeniran Abioje,
University of Ilorin
