Restructuring: Nwabueze, Anyaoku, Adebanjo, others set for consensus

Eminent Leaders of thought across the country have concluded plans to mobilise national consensus on the agitations for the restructuring of Nigeria to forestall possible degeneration of the festering ethnic political acrimony in the country.

Prof. Ben Nwabueze had last week disclosed that consultations have commenced on how best to restructure Nigeria along the lines of democratic federalism.

According to a statement by Olawale Okunniyi, Head of Secretariat of the organizers, said a high powered consultative team led by Prof Nwabueze has already initiated a major consultation across Nigeria to forge a negotiated consensus on how best to restructure Nigeria.

Okunniyi, who also heads the Nigeria Political Summit Group, said regional youth groups as well as ethnic militias were also not left out of the ongoing consultation aimed at facilitating a cohesive national movement around the agenda to restructure Nigeria on the path of democratic federalism, driven by a negotiated peoples’ constitution, to be democratically adopted by social movements and component federating parts of the country.

“Members of the high powered consultative team from southern Nigeria enlisted so far, as announced, by Prof. Nwabueze last week Thursday in Lagos include Chief Emeka Anyaoku, General Alani Akinriade, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Gen Ike Nwachukwu, Mr Donald Duke, Prof Pat Utomi, Prof Kimse Okoko, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Obong Victor Attah, General Ebitu Ukiwe, Chief Harry Akande, Prof Akin Oyebode, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Chief Tola Adeniyi, Prof Sola Ehindero among other eminent persons from southern Nigeria, including very vibrant youth and women activists, while the list of the Northern/middle belt team for the national consultation on restructuring is still being composed by the leaders of the North,” the statement said.

He said the labour movement and other social groups in the country have also been pencilled for consultation and mobilisation before a major interface with the Federal Government on the modalities for the restructuring of Nigeria.

The spokesperson also commended Northern leaders of thought and statesmen who have already demonstrated positive disposition and readiness to negotiate national consensus on restructuring with stakeholders and leaders of other parts of the country.

Okunniyi, however, commended the Sultan of Sokoto as well as the leadership of both Northern Elders Forum and Arewa Consultative Forum on their latest disposition to the agenda for democratic federalism in Nigeria.

He equally applauded former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, for his support for the Restructuring of Nigeria towards the path of real democracy and proper federation.