President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to ensure that immediate steps are taken to put necessary machinery in motion to ensure that restructuring of Nigeria is carried out without further delay. Making the appeal in an interview with TUNDE THOMAS, an Afenifere chieftain, Hon. Oladipo Olaitan implored President Buhari to take actions that will help to preserve the unity of Nigeria, especially by curbing the excesses of Fulani herdsmen across the country.
According to Olaitan, who was former Alliance for Democracy (AD) leader in the House of Representatives, but now the National Financial Secretary of Afenifere, though Buhari as an individual may oppose restructuring, he is under obligation to carry out the wishes of majority of Nigerians. He spoke on other national issues.
What is the motive behind the recent meeting between Afenifere leaders and the leadership of Ohanaeze which took place in Enugu because some Nigerians described it as not only unusual but also as having ulterior motives?
It would be very unfair for any individual or group to make insinuations especially unpleasant ones over the meeting among southern leaders. First and foremost, the constitution of this country clearly guarantees freedom of expression and that of association. So having that meeting had not in any way breached the constitution of the land.
Our meeting in Enugu was held primarily to promote and foster unity among the people of the south. This is why we tagged the meeting “Handshake across the Niger.”
At that meeting which I attended, we also had representatives from the South South, and the Middle Belt. It was a gathering of elders and other stakeholders who are committed to oneness of Nigeria. The love of Nigeria and our desire to see that Nigeria attains the greatness envisioned by the founding fathers was one of the propelling factors that gingered us to hold that meeting.
Moreso, the Enugu gathering can be regarded as a reciprocal visit. You know there was a time last year when Ohanaeze leaders also gathered together with Afenifere leaders in the house of Pa Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos. Our aim is to continue to hold this meeting on a regular basis.
But some Nigerians are saying that the gathering was a kind of gang-up against the North, that southern leaders until now have never come together as a bloc, what’s your take on that?
Why would the South want to gang-up against the North? For what? Those saying that are peddlers of falsehood who want to sow seeds of discord among Nigerians.
Has the North not been holding their own meetings as a bloc for a long time? You have the 19 northern governors meeting that has been holding regularly, you also have the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) regular meeting by the Northern leaders – so why the hue and cry over Southern Leaders Forum meeting at Enugu?
If the North as a political bloc holds their own regular meetings without any eyebrows raised, then why the noise about southern leaders meeting?
It is only those who have ulterior motives that will be jittery over the Enugu meeting. We also know that some individuals and groups are not comfortable by the coming together of Afenifere and Ohanaeze leaders. But I strongly believe that the coming together of Afenifere and Ohanaeze leaders is a good omen for this nation’s political, and socio-economic development. I also want to add this, whether anybody or group likes it or not, Southern Leaders Forum meeting has come to stay.
Today, many abnormalities are taking place all over the country. We are indeed in a perilous situation in Nigeria. The news people hear from Nigeria or even within Nigeria everyday now is not comforting at all. Nigeria is becoming distressed, Nigeria is gradually breaking into pieces and this nation has never been divided more than now.
Violence, killings, kidnappings, crimes of all sorts, insecurity and others have taken over, and the country is lying prostrate. The situation in Nigeria today is like having a flock of sheep without a shepherd.
But we have a man in charge, President Buhari is still …
cuts in … Yes as the president – but Buhari as the president appears not to be in charge. Nigeria is drifting dangerously under Buhari’s watch. Buhari’s seeming inability to take right actions at the right time is putting the future of Nigeria as a nation in jeopardy. Buhari should behave like a statesman and not a sectional leader. He should see all parts of Nigeria as his constituency.
At times, one wonders whether Buhari is advised, or whether he doesn’t take advice or prefers not to be bothered about what is happening in Nigeria today. Fulani herdsmen have turned Nigeria into a killing field. From the North to the South, the rampaging herdsmen have been on murderous adventures spilling blood with glee, turning other Nigerians into captives in their own land. Yet Buhari is there watching and pretending as if all is well.
What Buhari doesn’t know is this, the Fulani herdsmen killings are capable of triggering another bloody civil war. Let Buhari know this, the spirit of the nation’s founding fathers will not forgive him if Nigeria should break during his own time. The dream of our founding fathers was that of a strong and united Nigeria where equity, justice and fairness prevail. But under Buhari’s leadership, can we say there is equity, fairness and justice in this country? No, and this is why many Nigerians have not only been berating Buhari for being a parochial leader, but have also described his government as one that promotes double standards. We don’t pray that Nigeria should become a failed state but with the way things are going on in Nigeria today, if care is not taken we may soon turn into Somalia or Libya.
Then, what would be your advice to President Buhari?
My advice to Buhari is that he should realize that he is there through the grace of God, and wishes of the people. He should listen to voice of reason and make sure that he heeds the calls of Nigerians for restructuring. All these crises over the place, kidnappings, violence, insecurity, Fulani herdsmen would be resolved naturally immediately restructuring is carried out.
But unfortunately, Buhari has opposed restructuring. He prefers the status quo to remain. What Buhari should realize is that rejection of restructuring is an open invitation to break-up of Nigeria.
Nigerians are fed up with the present arrangement, which favours a particular section of the country, while it oppresses others. But Nigerians are now determined to throw away the yoke of oppression. It is a mere wishful thinking or day-dreaming if Buhari or any other person thinks that clamour for restructuring will go away or die natural death. There will be no peace unless we restructure.
Why is Buhari afraid of restructuring? Why is he opposed to an idea that millions of Nigerians are canvassing for? Restructuring is very simple, it means devolution of power, and a return to practice of fiscal federalism as it was the practice in the First Republic.
Before the military coup of 1966, Nigeria was practising federalism. During that period, each region was developing at its own pace. It was the period when you have groundnut pyramid in Kano, cocoa in the Southwest, rubber and palm oil in the Southeast, and each region was using resources in its domain to develop the regions, but the military intervention of 1966 scuttled that arrangement as the military abolished the federal constitution and introduced unitary system which we have been practicing since then, that has been a major problem. To have peace, equity and justice, let’s return to a true practice of federalism.
The discovery of oil, and oil money being shared monthly has made many states to become lazy, but what some of these states that have phobia for restructuring don’t know is that there is no state that is not blessed with mineral resources that can sustain such. Our overdependence on oil revenue has made many states to become lazy and even some Nigerians, because of free oil money from Niger-Delta are opposed to restructuring. But opponents of restructuring are just postponing the evil day. It is not a curse, Nigeria will not experience the desired peace unless we restructure.
Apart from being a former AD leader in the House of Representatives, you were a former gubernatorial candidate in Osun State, and also a prominent indigene of the state, what’s your take on the gubernatorial elections coming up in the state this year because the ruling party, APC, has been saying that based on its achievements, it remains the party to beat while rival Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed to unseat the party?
What do you expect APC to say? APC is still the party to beat because it is the incumbent party in government. However this doesn’t mean that it is because it is the party in power that makes APC the party to beat but also because of other factors.
Although APC is claiming that it has done well in the last seven years plus in power in Osun State, the question of whether the party has done well or not should be left for the electorate to decide.
But politics apart, what is your own candid assessment of APC, performance in Osun State in the last seven years?
Let’s be honest, it is difficult to jump into conclusion or make my judgment about the performances of most state governments in Nigeria because of the economic recession, the economy has been so bad. Without sufficient money, there is little you can do. When you have good intentions but don’t have money to implement them it can be so frustrating.
It is going to be difficult to say that this or that government has not done well because availability of fund is a critical factor. While APC has been expressing optimism of retaining power in Osun State, some people have warned the party that the Senate bye-election which the party lost to PDP should have served as an eye opener to APC that the game may be up for the party, what’s your take on that?
I don’t think the result of that election should be used as a determinant because of so many reasons. Some of the factors that helped PDP to win the election include the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, that emotional aspect of his death helped PDP in a way, and also you have the Abuja factor.
From years of involvement in politics, and with the way APC and PDP have been boasting that they will win the polls, how do you envisage the election to go? Is it going to be a straight battle between APC and PDP or do you foresee an upset?
Well, APC is very lucky in Osun State, because there is really no opposition party there.
What about PDP?
PDP in Osun State is more or less a toothless bulldog. PDP members are just making noise, but they are disorganized. PDP doesn’t have bite in Osun State, and in that wise APC is fortunate. So whatever APC could have done good or bad in the last eight years, since there is no viable opposition, APC may win the election again.
But some people have been touting some names in PDP as being capable of giving a serious challenge to APC …
Cuts in … Which names in PDP? Well some are talking about Senator Iyiola Omisore, and I understand he wants to run for the guber election, that’s okay, but what you have to realise is that though it is true that Omisore may have deep pocket, yes, he may have money, can he have money like the state government?
No matter how deep Omisore’s pocket may be, it can’t be as deep as that of Osun State government. And don’t forget the Abuja factor again in the guber election that is coming up. In APC, you have Oyegun APC, and Tinubu-Bisi Akande APC. The only problem APC could have in Osun State is if the party fails to reconcile Tinubu-Akande APC and that of Oyegun APC, that may create a division in APC which may affect the party, and allow PDP to take an advantage. But unfortunately PDP is not united in Osun State.
How would you rate Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s performance?
Well, one area I will like to comment is the education sector. To me, rather than building mega schools all over the place, Osun State government should have invested more in the human resources. The question is this, when you are building mega schools and you are not training teachers, or paying them very well, then of what use is the schools they are building? It would have been better for Aregbesola to invest more in the human factor in the education sector, training of the teachers and paying them very well is very important. It is sad that in the last WAEC examinations, Osun State took almost the last position, finishing behind several other states. This should be a source of concern to the governor, and other stakeholders in Osun State. Osun is nowhere in the first 10 positions, this should be of more interest to Aregbesola than building mega schools all over the place.
Rather than building structures or mega schools, Aregbesola should be more interested in quality training of teachers, and teachers’ welfare. Then how can the state government be installing computers without internet and power supply, that’s like just playing to the gallery. It doesn’t make sense. So, of what use are mega schools, when Osun State is recording mega failures in WAEC and other examinations. Aregbesola, his aides and advisers should get their priorities right.
President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to ensure that immediate steps are taken to put necessary machinery in motion to ensure that restructuring of Nigeria is carried out without further delay. Making the appeal in an interview with TUNDE THOMAS, an Afenifere chieftain, Hon. Oladipo Olaitan implored President Buhari to take actions that will help to preserve the unity of Nigeria, especially by curbing the excesses of Fulani herdsmen across the country.
According to Olaitan, who was former Alliance for Democracy (AD) leader in the House of Representatives, but now the National Financial Secretary of Afenifere, though Buhari as an individual may oppose restructuring, he is under obligation to carry out the wishes of majority of Nigerians. He spoke on other national issues.
What is the motive behind the recent meeting between Afenifere leaders and the leadership of Ohanaeze which took place in Enugu because some Nigerians described it as not only unusual but also as having ulterior motives?
It would be very unfair for any individual or group to make insinuations especially unpleasant ones over the meeting among southern leaders. First and foremost, the constitution of this country clearly guarantees freedom of expression and that of association. So having that meeting had not in any way breached the constitution of the land.
Our meeting in Enugu was held primarily to promote and foster unity among the people of the south. This is why we tagged the meeting “Handshake across the Niger.”
At that meeting which I attended, we also had representatives from the South South, and the Middle Belt. It was a gathering of elders and other stakeholders who are committed to oneness of Nigeria. The love of Nigeria and our desire to see that Nigeria attains the greatness envisioned by the founding fathers was one of the propelling factors that gingered us to hold that meeting.
Moreso, the Enugu gathering can be regarded as a reciprocal visit. You know there was a time last year when Ohanaeze leaders also gathered together with Afenifere leaders in the house of Pa Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos. Our aim is to continue to hold this meeting on a regular basis.
But some Nigerians are saying that the gathering was a kind of gang-up against the North, that southern leaders until now have never come together as a bloc, what’s your take on that?
Why would the South want to gang-up against the North? For what? Those saying that are peddlers of falsehood who want to sow seeds of discord among Nigerians.
Has the North not been holding their own meetings as a bloc for a long time? You have the 19 northern governors meeting that has been holding regularly, you also have the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) regular meeting by the Northern leaders – so why the hue and cry over Southern Leaders Forum meeting at Enugu?
If the North as a political bloc holds their own regular meetings without any eyebrows raised, then why the noise about southern leaders meeting?
It is only those who have ulterior motives that will be jittery over the Enugu meeting. We also know that some individuals and groups are not comfortable by the coming together of Afenifere and Ohanaeze leaders. But I strongly believe that the coming together of Afenifere and Ohanaeze leaders is a good omen for this nation’s political, and socio-economic development. I also want to add this, whether anybody or group likes it or not, Southern Leaders Forum meeting has come to stay.
Today, many abnormalities are taking place all over the country. We are indeed in a perilous situation in Nigeria. The news people hear from Nigeria or even within Nigeria everyday now is not comforting at all. Nigeria is becoming distressed, Nigeria is gradually breaking into pieces and this nation has never been divided more than now.
Violence, killings, kidnappings, crimes of all sorts, insecurity and others have taken over, and the country is lying prostrate. The situation in Nigeria today is like having a flock of sheep without a shepherd.
But we have a man in charge, President Buhari is still …
cuts in … Yes as the president – but Buhari as the president appears not to be in charge. Nigeria is drifting dangerously under Buhari’s watch. Buhari’s seeming inability to take right actions at the right time is putting the future of Nigeria as a nation in jeopardy. Buhari should behave like a statesman and not a sectional leader. He should see all parts of Nigeria as his constituency.
At times, one wonders whether Buhari is advised, or whether he doesn’t take advice or prefers not to be bothered about what is happening in Nigeria today. Fulani herdsmen have turned Nigeria into a killing field. From the North to the South, the rampaging herdsmen have been on murderous adventures spilling blood with glee, turning other Nigerians into captives in their own land. Yet Buhari is there watching and pretending as if all is well.
What Buhari doesn’t know is this, the Fulani herdsmen killings are capable of triggering another bloody civil war. Let Buhari know this, the spirit of the nation’s founding fathers will not forgive him if Nigeria should break during his own time. The dream of our founding fathers was that of a strong and united Nigeria where equity, justice and fairness prevail. But under Buhari’s leadership, can we say there is equity, fairness and justice in this country? No, and this is why many Nigerians have not only been berating Buhari for being a parochial leader, but have also described his government as one that promotes double standards. We don’t pray that Nigeria should become a failed state but with the way things are going on in Nigeria today, if care is not taken we may soon turn into Somalia or Libya.
Then, what would be your advice to President Buhari?
My advice to Buhari is that he should realize that he is there through the grace of God, and wishes of the people. He should listen to voice of reason and make sure that he heeds the calls of Nigerians for restructuring. All these crises over the place, kidnappings, violence, insecurity, Fulani herdsmen would be resolved naturally immediately restructuring is carried out.
But unfortunately, Buhari has opposed restructuring. He prefers the status quo to remain. What Buhari should realize is that rejection of restructuring is an open invitation to break-up of Nigeria.
Nigerians are fed up with the present arrangement, which favours a particular section of the country, while it oppresses others. But Nigerians are now determined to throw away the yoke of oppression. It is a mere wishful thinking or day-dreaming if Buhari or any other person thinks that clamour for restructuring will go away or die natural death. There will be no peace unless we restructure.
Why is Buhari afraid of restructuring? Why is he opposed to an idea that millions of Nigerians are canvassing for? Restructuring is very simple, it means devolution of power, and a return to practice of fiscal federalism as it was the practice in the First Republic.
Before the military coup of 1966, Nigeria was practising federalism. During that period, each region was developing at its own pace. It was the period when you have groundnut pyramid in Kano, cocoa in the Southwest, rubber and palm oil in the Southeast, and each region was using resources in its domain to develop the regions, but the military intervention of 1966 scuttled that arrangement as the military abolished the federal constitution and introduced unitary system which we have been practicing since then, that has been a major problem. To have peace, equity and justice, let’s return to a true practice of federalism.
The discovery of oil, and oil money being shared monthly has made many states to become lazy, but what some of these states that have phobia for restructuring don’t know is that there is no state that is not blessed with mineral resources that can sustain such. Our overdependence on oil revenue has made many states to become lazy and even some Nigerians, because of free oil money from Niger-Delta are opposed to restructuring. But opponents of restructuring are just postponing the evil day. It is not a curse, Nigeria will not experience the desired peace unless we restructure.
Apart from being a former AD leader in the House of Representatives, you were a former gubernatorial candidate in Osun State, and also a prominent indigene of the state, what’s your take on the gubernatorial elections coming up in the state this year because the ruling party, APC, has been saying that based on its achievements, it remains the party to beat while rival Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed to unseat the party?
What do you expect APC to say? APC is still the party to beat because it is the incumbent party in government. However this doesn’t mean that it is because it is the party in power that makes APC the party to beat but also because of other factors.
Although APC is claiming that it has done well in the last seven years plus in power in Osun State, the question of whether the party has done well or not should be left for the electorate to decide.
But politics apart, what is your own candid assessment of APC, performance in Osun State in the last seven years?
Let’s be honest, it is difficult to jump into conclusion or make my judgment about the performances of most state governments in Nigeria because of the economic recession, the economy has been so bad. Without sufficient money, there is little you can do. When you have good intentions but don’t have money to implement them it can be so frustrating.
It is going to be difficult to say that this or that government has not done well because availability of fund is a critical factor. While APC has been expressing optimism of retaining power in Osun State, some people have warned the party that the Senate bye-election which the party lost to PDP should have served as an eye opener to APC that the game may be up for the party, what’s your take on that?
I don’t think the result of that election should be used as a determinant because of so many reasons. Some of the factors that helped PDP to win the election include the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, that emotional aspect of his death helped PDP in a way, and also you have the Abuja factor.
From years of involvement in politics, and with the way APC and PDP have been boasting that they will win the polls, how do you envisage the election to go? Is it going to be a straight battle between APC and PDP or do you foresee an upset?
Well, APC is very lucky in Osun State, because there is really no opposition party there.
What about PDP?
PDP in Osun State is more or less a toothless bulldog. PDP members are just making noise, but they are disorganized. PDP doesn’t have bite in Osun State, and in that wise APC is fortunate. So whatever APC could have done good or bad in the last eight years, since there is no viable opposition, APC may win the election again.
But some people have been touting some names in PDP as being capable of giving a serious challenge to APC …
Cuts in … Which names in PDP? Well some are talking about Senator Iyiola Omisore, and I understand he wants to run for the guber election, that’s okay, but what you have to realise is that though it is true that Omisore may have deep pocket, yes, he may have money, can he have money like the state government?
No matter how deep Omisore’s pocket may be, it can’t be as deep as that of Osun State government. And don’t forget the Abuja factor again in the guber election that is coming up. In APC, you have Oyegun APC, and Tinubu-Bisi Akande APC. The only problem APC could have in Osun State is if the party fails to reconcile Tinubu-Akande APC and that of Oyegun APC, that may create a division in APC which may affect the party, and allow PDP to take an advantage. But unfortunately PDP is not united in Osun State.
How would you rate Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s performance?
Well, one area I will like to comment is the education sector. To me, rather than building mega schools all over the place, Osun State government should have invested more in the human resources. The question is this, when you are building mega schools and you are not training teachers, or paying them very well, then of what use is the schools they are building? It would have been better for Aregbesola to invest more in the human factor in the education sector, training of the teachers and paying them very well is very important. It is sad that in the last WAEC examinations, Osun State took almost the last position, finishing behind several other states. This should be a source of concern to the governor, and other stakeholders in Osun State. Osun is nowhere in the first 10 positions, this should be of more interest to Aregbesola than building mega schools all over the place.
Rather than building structures or mega schools, Aregbesola should be more interested in quality training of teachers, and teachers’ welfare. Then how can the state government be installing computers without internet and power supply, that’s like just playing to the gallery. It doesn’t make sense. So, of what use are mega schools, when Osun State is recording mega failures in WAEC and other examinations. Aregbesola, his aides and advisers should get their priorities right.