Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Attah has said that the many challenges bedeviling the country will not be addressed except it returns to true federalism which will guarantee states the power to control their resources.
Attah who spoke in Enugu during a ceremony held to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, said that when states in the country are allowed to manage their resources without undue interference, it will help in their growth and development.
The former governor who presented a paper on the topic “how to make Nigeria work”, said that the major problem facing the country lies with the system of sharing as nobody can distribute the nation’s resources equitably.
Attah who completely disagreed with the various suggestions for states to be merged maintained that nobody would want to relinquish power for any reason, adding that the best alternative would be for regional cooperation by the State to pursue development.
“The best decision will be to allow the various states that exist in the country to have control of their resources without consistent interference by the center which is what true federalism entails. That Way, everyone will have a sense of belonging” he said.
He called on the Youths to work with the elders in their various communities in the bid to achieve the much-desired true federalism which will guarantee sustainable development for all in the country.
“If we get the new Nigeria we all seek today, it will be in the interest of every one of us, This is more reason why we need to work together to ensure that our dreams are achieved as a country,” he said.
On his part, elder Statesman and First Republic Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi, said that Nigeria is a country that is made up of corrupt and criminal elements whose activities have over the years, crippled the country.
He said the activities of those criminal elements are capable of sinking the country if nothing is done.
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In his words, “Today, we are living in a country that is full of danger. We are living in a country where there is no peace; today we living in a country where the majority live in fear. Today we are riding in a ship that may tip over and sink any day.
On the way forward, he said that leaders in the country must meet and objectively look at the country’s past and in a spirit of “give and take”, see where mistakes have been made in the past, as well as pronounce forgiveness where necessary”.
“For there to be permanent peace, the country must meet and renegotiate the basis for the union in a fraternal way. “The Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Niger Delta and Middle Belt Organizations along with Southern Nigeria Peoples Union, have all met and been demanding a restructuring of the country,” he said.
He noted that the various organizations cannot compel the powers that be to agree to the demands for restructuring when the present position put in place by their military leaders and handed over to the suits the selfish purposes.
Earlier in his address, founder of the IYM, Elliot Uko, said that there is the need to revisit the recommendations of the National conference and make sure they are implemented so there can be a new Nigeria where every section will have a sense of belonging.
He regretted that since the National Conference was convoked with the view of dealing with the mounting challenges in the country, leaders have not looked into the recommendations which show their unwillingness to bring the country together.
“What we want is restructuring that will give everyone in the country a sense of belonging” With that, sections in the country can be developed without feeling any sense of marginalization,” he said.
On his part, the President General of the mainstream Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Aare Prince Osibote, said that they believe in restructuring and are willing to contribute in whatever way to make sure that the dreams of having a Nigeria where all voices will be adequately represented is achieved.
Dignities at the event were Former Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nduka Eya, late Nnamdi Azikiwe’s son, Uwakwe Azikiwe, and Women Leader, Maria Okwo, elder statesman, Mbazulike Amaechi, former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Attah.
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