What Jega Said About Restructuring At Achievers University’s Lecture

Restructuring, appropriately conceptualised and implemented, is necessary and
desirable, though it is not a sufficient condition, for making Nigeria a stable
developing federal democracy.

Above were the submission of former Chairman, Independent and National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega at this year’s public lecture, organised by the College of Social and Management Sciences (COSMAS) of Achievers University, Owo.

The Precision NG reports that Jega spoke on the topic, “Towards Stabilizing the Nigerian Federation.”

He noted that a national consensus on the necessity of restructuring, defined as redistribution of power and resources
from the federal to the state governments, need to be emphasized before the general
elections in 2023.

“Patriotic Nigerians should not abandon the conversation and advocacy about restructuring to reckless, visionless and short-sighted politicians and their extremist allies. The embedded imbalance, inequities and perceived injustices in the current federal arrangement in Nigeria have to be addressed as soon as possible to enable Nigeria and Nigerians to acquire the requisite stability and peaceful coexistence amenable to accelerated, sustainable socioeconomic and democratic development.

Related: Jega To Deliver Achievers University’s Public Lecture November 23

“The best strategy for success is the pursuit of systematic, incremental positive changes through constitutional amendments and accompanying complimentary Executive Orders, in phases, commencing with a review and sanitization of the Exclusive Federal and Concurrent Legislative lists, giving more powers and resources to the states, complemented by other reform measures to nurture and entrench good, democratic governance at all levels, from the federal to states and local governments.

“Elected officials in both the executive and
legislative branches of government need to gather the courage and have the political will to work together, bringing along critical stakeholders from the civil society, to begin to actualize restructuring as advocated in this presentation before 2023.”

Jega, a former Vice-Chancellor at the Bayero University, Kano observed that the necessity of addressing the imbalance and inequities embedded in the current federal system in Nigeria has been ignored for too long, and any further neglect may irreparably imperil the efficacy and viability of the Nigerian federation.

“All patriotic Nigerian citizens must work harder to prevent the imperilling of our federal and democratic systems. A consensus derived agenda for restructuring if implemented would stabilise the Nigerian federation, nurture and entrench peaceful coexistence, catalyse national cohesion and
integration, bring out desirable unity in diversity and deepen, as well as consolidate, democratic development for the satisfaction of the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

“And, it would significantly obviate the pipe-dreams, wishful thoughts and violent activism of irredentists, and their international backers who do not wish Nigeria well. Given these positive attributes of a properly conceptualised and implemented restructuring, our elite in general and current elected executive and legislative leaders need to try harder to begin to bring this about, as soon as is possible.

“All patriotic citizens, also, have to remain
or become actively engaged to ensure that Nigeria soon gets the appropriate restructuring that it deserves,” he noted.

Other speakers at the event include, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, Ogunoye III, Alhaji Raimi Disu-Sule, Prof. Ademola Popoola and Achievers University Pro-Chancellor, Dr Bode Ayorinde.

They all agreed that restructuring would help heal the wounds of the Nigerian nation.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of a photo portrait to the lecturer, Prof. Attahiru Jega by Achievers University’s VC, Prof. Samuel Aje and Registrar, Revd Canon Bayode Oladimeji.