Dr. Ahmed Suleiman said what Nigeria needs at this moment is institutionalization not restructuring as being sung by those who lost out in the power game. Suleiman, a rights activist, and a lecturer was speaking as a guest at the Channels ‘Sunrise Daily’ a television program aired every morning by the TV station. However, he was countered by another guest on the program, Gboyega Adejumo, a Yoruba Summit Group member who opined that institutions cannot be built on a defective foundation. According to Adejumo, he suggested that there should be a referendum where every ethnic member of the constituent country to be given the opportunity to suggest the best way they need to be governed. ”Only then can we talk about institutionalization. For example, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is known for inconclusive elections, Adejumo added.
He opined such an institution can only be corrected through the restructuring of the country’s constitution. Meanwhile, in support of Adejumor’s opinion on restructuring, a member House of Reps, Dachung Bagos, suggested that restructuring is not just a theory, but an integral part of Nigerians lives.
Dachung said: “Security, federal character, employment and many other aspects of Nigerians’ lives will reflect equity with restructuring.
He said that referendum must be entrenched into the constitution including the National Assembly for fairness and equity. However, Suleiman stood his ground by saying restructuring has been with Nigeria since colonial time under a different name.
He continued that the words were only renewed after some losers lost out in the power play and have reorganized to blackmail the government to pull the country apart.
He suggested that “Let’s concentrate on one system and strengthen institutions around it. Then we can do away with the ones not working.”
Devolution of power, fiscal independence, state police, and other critical matters can then be discussed when these institutions are strengthened, Suleiman added.
