Save Nigeria By Embracing True Federalism Now, Clark Tells Buhari

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has demanded the immediate implementation of the Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led All Progressives Congress (APC) report on true federalism.

The Delta native, who leads the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANFEF) in a chat with reporters in Abuja, argued that true federalism remains the solution to the multiple challenges besetting Nigeria.

The nonagenarian said it behoves President Muhammadu Buhari to act on the document that tallied with APC manifesto.

He argued that 98 per cent of report was already captured in the 600 recommendations of the 2014 National Constitution Conference.

Clark submitted posited that the call for restructuring was not anti-Buhari or anti-north, but a call for equity, fairness and justice geared at advancing Nigeria and the citizens.

Justifying his position, he argued: “The effect of insecurity is biting so hard in every facet of our lives. There is so much hunger in the land. People can no longer go to the farm because farmers are killed, raped and maimed. It reminds me of the message of the Emir of Katsina to Mr. President, through the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.”

He went on: “The warning of Chief Ayo Adebanjo is very apt and should not be taken lightly. The country needs to be salvaged urgently, so, “let it be heard loud and clear that Nigeria must be restructured. Whether you are a northerner or a southerner, everyone stands to lose if Nigeria is not restructured.

“The President himself knows that, the leaders of the world know that. Nigerians know that, except unpatriotic Nigerians.”

The PANDEF chief added: “If Chief Ayo Adebanjo says that there will be no election if there is no restructuring, what he is saying, in essence, is that if restructuring is not done, the security situation in the country will worsen and would not permit peaceful elections to hold.

“And the agitation for self-determination and secessions will definitely increase, to the extent, that it will worsen the security situation of the nation. And you cannot conduct credible elections under a hostile atmosphere. It is a cautionary message to the nation and the government. It is a call to action.”