El-RUFAI: The buzz word is ‘Restructuring’ but APC set to deal with ‘True Federalism’

Kaduna State governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) committee chairman on true federalism, Nasir el-Rufai, on Thursday said that restructuring of Nigeria is now the new buzz word in the country.

He also said that despite the fact that the country is endowed with significant natural resources, and leads Africa’s economy, that its citizens “are neither happy nor content with the current political structure, the 1999 Constitution, and virtually all the institutions of governance at the federal, state and local levels.”

El-Rufai, who leads APC’s 10 man committee on true federalism stated this when he delivered a lecture on restructuring at Chatham House, London on Thursday.

He said, “Despite possessing significant natural resource endowments, being 

Africa’s leading economy and most populous nation, Nigerians are neither happy nor content with the current political structure, the 1999 Constitution, and virtually all the institutions of governance at the federal, state and local levels. While this may be largely attributable to our political culture and weird leadership selection process rather than institutions and the constitution, many see the latter as the cause and effect of our national discontent.

“Restructuring is the new buzz word, and some of its advocates demonize anyone not using the same registers as them, while many a politician espies in it opportunities for media attention, renewed relevance or career-enhancement. Perhaps I have only described the variety of motivations that tend to surround great questions!”
On what his committee set out to do on this vexed issue he said, “The APC set up a Committee on True Federalism to help give structure to the debate, remove the bile and bitterness colouring the matter and transform the discourse into a nation-building opportunity.”

He added, “The preponderance of opinion is that the Federal Government needs to shed weight and return powers and resources to the states where most government functions can be more efficiently undertaken. For the states to take on these powers, they need to access a greater share of the nation’s resources. And we need to sort out the notion of citizenship so that every Nigerian can enjoy the protection of the constitution wherever they choose to reside.

“In many communities, people still use the notion of ‘indigeneship’ to consign compatriots to a position of ‘settler’ and, by implication, perpetual exclusion from enjoying the full political, social and economic opportunities guaranteed by the constitution to every citizen.”

According to el-Rufai, the committee has identified 12 contentious issues, among which include the creation or merger of states, derivation, fiscal federalism, devolution and what should constitute the federating units.
He further said that the committee would subject the issues to public hearing to ensure that it came up with a credible report.

“In this regard, we have put up an announcement calling on members of the public to submit memoranda and meet us at designated venues of the public hearings without any discrimination. So, it is an open invitation to all Nigerians to attend and make their views and voices to country.

“With this multi-pronged approach, we are confident we will feel the pulse of ordinary Nigerians and submit a credible report that will guide the leaders of our party, and the government. With this open-minded approach to the question of restructuring, I have no doubt that we will credibly fulfil our terms of reference,” he said.

The Kaduna State governor hinted that his committee intends to submit its report to the APC by the “end of October 2017 by God’s grace.”—Ripples Nigeria