The traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Anambra state Igwe Alfred Achebe says the prevailing situations and challenges across Nigeria have necessitated a review of the governance structure of the country.
He notes that the country structure though was premised under domination by the colonial master, been perfected by the military, said the country needs a collective input of different ethnic section to achieve through federalism system of government for the country.
The royal father posits that, the incessant call and agitation by different ethnic groups in Nigeria equation, leaves answer that government should act as a matter of urgency call for a restructuring programme for the country socio-political system that would give adequate responsibility to the regions under the current six geo-political arrangements in Nigeria.
The monarch who doubles as the chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, disclosed this at a lecture titled: ‘Think Nigeria, Invest in Anambra’, in Awka as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the creation of Anambra State, observed that the present political arrangement in Nigeria had proved to be unworkable.
The constitution of the entity called Nigeria which was birthed by the wife of Nigeria’s former governor general, Lord Lugard with the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates with Lagos as the colony has gone through series of evolutionary transformation which stakeholders feel need holistic restructuring.
Its independence in 1960 and subsequent transitional administration from Military to civilian government was alleged to have contributed to the slow paste of the country socio-economic development .
The Obi of Onitsha in its lecture suggests a change of approach by all and sundry which negate the arrangement of sectional divide in appointment in government offices as well as allocation of national resources to suite the aspiration of one section above the other.
Track Up
Igwe Alfred Achebe (Obi of Onitssha)
He said that going by the support for the restructuring among Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities and prominent individuals, there was need to embark on national programmes that would enhance confidence in the citizens which will give everybody a sense of identity.
Obi of Onitsha admonished members of IPOB/BIAFRA and NDA to jettison the secessionist move and team up with the government to enable the leader address the survival of the country under the much agitated call for restructuring of the country .
He charged Ndigbo to imbibe the culture to respect their host communities and as well think home in their investment as the framework that would speedily develop the region which would in their future serve as their strong base of economic development.
Other participants at the lecture beard their minds on the urgent need by the government to convoke a restructure mechanism to restore the people’s hope in the country.
They emphasised on the need for Ndigbo to pursue collective interest as the people of the South West and the North have been doing, notes that present configuration perpetually puts them at great disadvantage, with less state and little government administrative positions, suggest Ndigbo should be taken from the position of strength and persistent of their demands would give them their desired request from the entity called Nigeria.
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