Nigerian Structure Needs To Be Addressed – Sagay, Oshiomhole

Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole and the Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACAC, Prof Itse Sagay, yesterday, said that the current Nigeria structure was not favourable to states.

The two All Progressives Congress, APC, leaders spoke at the 20th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series in Benin, against the backdrop of the current call for restructuring of the country.

They admitted that there was the need to restructure some aspects of the polity.

The event was put together by the national association of SEAGODS in Benin, the Edo capital.

Present governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who chaired the occasion, pointed out that the country’s unity was not negotiable and expressed optimism that Nigeria would become great again.

‘’The question of whether Nigeria has come to stay is a non issue. I guess what is challenging us today is the sort of country we should create for ourselves’’, he said.

The immediate past governor of the state, Oshhiomhole, who was the guest lecturer at the event said what should occupy the minds of Nigerians was how to keep the country united and viable.

According to him, “It is not in our interest to be thinking of dividing after 103 years of our existence as a nation.

“It is not a viable conversation that having lived this long together, we should divide. Rather, we should think of ways of doing things differently for better results.

‘’The structural issue in the country needs to be addressed. This entails the issue of the very rich structure and the very poor structure.”

Also speaking at the event, Sagay said true federalism would promote good governance in the country, pointing out that present allocation formula was not ideal.

Sagay said the current structure had prevented states from carrying out their responsibilities.

According to him, states should be allowed to control their mineral resources to avoid their over dependence on monthly allocation from the Federal Government.

Sagay wondered ‘’why should the centre have all the resources and states be impoverished?”