Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Forum backs Gowon, Obasanjo  on restructuring

Chinelo Obogo

In a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin, (South West), Gen C.R.U Ikekire (South East), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South South), Dr Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), the group said the statement by the two oldest former heads of state in the past two months is not lost on the forum as the country ‘rolls from one challenge to the other.’

The statement read: “Gen. Yakubu Gowon who warned in January that Nigeria must urgently deal with the business of restructuring to avoid another civil war as a country  was the man who led the country through its last civil war from 1967-70 and proclaimed “No Victor,No Vanquished,” which we observed more in the breach over the years.

“The latest admonition is coming from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who fought vigorously in the war to keep Nigeria united but is now warning us 50 years after the hostilities  ended  that we need to restructure now to save the country from a anarchy  and break-up even as he commits to fighting for the unity of Nigeria but on the basis of equality of all citizens.

“This is the core issue at the heart of restructuring calls.That we can live together in peace and harmony once we make justice and equity the cornerstones of our existence as a country and not a union of the horse and the rider that is the order at the time in violation of federal spirit.

“Only those who do not wish the county well would not heed the statesmanly call not to allow the stonewalling of the restructuring call to lead to a situation where frustrations over such push nationalities in the country to embrace self-determination instead of trustful give-and – take that the demand for federalism seeks.

“It is sheer wishful thinking for anybody to assume that the displeasure that various nationalities are feeling over the many attendant inequities of unitary Nigeria  can disappear with strong -arm tactics and bullying those at receiving ends with terror gangs on rampage around the country .

“A cursory look at events around the world in recent years have shown clearly that the force of arms cannot succeed in keeping together any diverse people brought together by historical circumstance but refuse to constitute themselves with respect, justice and understanding .

“We align with the patriotic interventions of the Leaders and call on those in the saddle now to look beyond temporary gains of power and heed the advice to set this country on the path of negotiation,inclusiveness and a federal constitutional order.”