Arewa Finally Buckles Under Pressure, Agrees To Restructuring

The Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF] seems to have finally buckled under the pressure of millions of voices in Nigeria calling for restructuring the country as a way forward.

The Forum announced yesterday that it would support calls for restructuring of the country, though they did not hesitate to proffer conditions for the exercise.

After its National Executive Council [NEC] meeting in Kaduna, ACF stated that one of its conditions is that the exercise would be just, fair and equitable to the North. 

It stated that its opposition to implementation of the report of 2014 national conference was because it was skewed against the North. 

ACF, after the meeting, issued the following communique, signed by the Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Biu:

“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.

“For emphasis, there are contentious issues like the abolition of the present local government councils, creation of 18 additional states that were not resolved in accordance with due process of the conference proceedings. 

“ACF, therefore, is of the opinion that it would be morally preposterous and anti-democratic for anybody or group to canvass the implementation of the reports by a conference of unelected delegates. 

“This is more so by the elected government, which did not participate in the conference and its recommendations were not part of the manifesto of the ruling party.

“ACF has observed with deep concern the continued altercations between the executive arm of government and the National Assembly, in particular the Senate, over interpretations of certain sections of the constitution regarding confirmation of appointments of public officers and other contentious issues. 

“These kind of disagreements are avoidable, precisely because they are not helpful for good governance. 

“ACF, therefore, urges the parties concerned to amicably resolve their differences in the interest of Nigeria or better still approach the Supreme Court and seek the correct interpretation of the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in order to avoid a recurrence of the present situation.’’

Reacting, a correspondent told Elombah.com that the feat to convert the Arewa Forum Agrees to restructure Nigeria is owing to the struggle by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB], Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

He said that Nigerians should go on their knees to thank the much maligned Nnamdi Kanu, his Radio Biafra, and his group, IPOB.

He said that they defeated Hausa Fulani hegemonic influence over entire Nigeria through relentless and persistent agitation for a freer and just Nigeria.

According to him, “it wasn’t Britain or US that forced the North to bend to the will of the majority that wanted a fundamental change but Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB”, who he said are called “miscreants”.

Recall that former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has denounced Nnamdi Kanu and his pro-Biafra group, calling them “miscreants”.

Rather, he said “the minions that rudely attack Kanu, Radio Biafra and IPOB out of ignorance, can now see how we Biafrans have given you oppressed Nigerians a new lease of life. 

“Never underestimate any person driven by a deep sense of conviction,” he concluded.

Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently released from detention, has been vocal in the demand for a new and independent state of Biafra.

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