The Presidency has asked those agitating for the restructuring of the country to approach the National Assembly and not President Muhammadu Buhari.
Naija News reports that there have been growing calls for the restructuring of the country to address the nation’s security challenges.
Speaking in an interview with The Punch, the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, urged those calling for restructuring to approach the National Assembly for a change in the constitution.
He stated that only the parliament was empowered to effect a change in the nation’s structure or constitution, adding that restructuring agitators should take advantage of the ongoing constitutional amendment in the National Assembly.
“Our position on the call for restructuring has not changed.
“People are calling it restructuring, the ruling party, APC, and the government call it devolution.
“Whichever name you call it, the government is not opposed to it. What we are saying is that the parliament is the body empowered by law to effect any change in the nation’s structure.
“The process of constitution review is ongoing in the National Assembly now. We advise proponents of restructuring to approach the parliament and take advantage of the opportunity that ongoing process offers,” Garba Shehu said.
In a related development, former President Goodluck Jonathan says restructuring alone will not help solve the security and other challenges facing the country.
Speaking at the 18th Daily Trust Dialogue held on Thursday in Abuja, Jonathan said other solutions should be provided to solve the numerous problems bedeviling Nigeria.
Jonathan also asked Nigerians to come up with specific solutions that will fit the country’s numerous challenges.
The former president, however, asked Nigerians to restructure their minds, thoughts, and beliefs before restructuring the nation.
He also urged Nigerians to solve issues that polarize the nation such as nepotism, ethnic and religious differences, and lack of patriotism, before talking about restructuring the country.
