The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) has declared that agitation for secession is an ill wind that does no good to the country and her people.
Babalola made this know on Thursday in his paper he presented while chairing a pan Yoruba summit held in Ibadan, titled “Yoruba Standpoint on Restructuring”.
The erudite lawyer while speaking on the paper titled “Nigeria in search of a Nation”, however, said it was better to clamor for restructuring of the country than to seek seccession.
He said “The agitation for succession is an ill wind that does no good. No matter the motive of the Conveners of Berlin Conference, we have lived together for over 100 years having been married together by fiat of the Europeans.
“The only change that can change the country and pave way for nationhood is the change that changes the structure of project Nigeria. No amount of sermon from the pulpit can change the country. It is that change that will bring about the necessary interest and determination to succeed. That change is the restructuring of the country.
“It is better to dialogue and restructure the county. No woman wants dissolution of a marriage if the parties live in comfort and are prosperous. It is incumbent on the leaders to make the country so prosperous that nobody would agitate for secession.”
Babalola said Nigeria needed a sovereign national conference, the outcome of which shall be the people’s constitution which can be referred to a referendum.
He said the 1999 constitution, which he said does not represent the people’s interest, was handed over to Nigerians by the Military.
He added that the two chambers of the national assembly which were benefiting from the constitution were not interested in substituting the people’s constitution for the military.
“As I said, the 1999 constitution was handed over by the military. It is not the people’s constitution.
“Of course, the legislators who are benefiting from the military constitution are not interested in substituting the people’s constitution for the military constitution.
“What we need today is sovereign national conference, the outcome of which shall be the people’s constitution and shall not be subject to any amendment by any of the organs of the existing Senate or House of Representatives. If necessary, it may be refered to a referendum.
It is also my view that the people’s constitution should be in place before we attain 60 years after independence.”
Chief Babalola who said it was only restructuring that can curb the overconcentration of power at the centre and reduce corruption, said restructuring will make states to control its population and set acceptable international standard of living for its people.
“It is restructuring that would enable each state to control its population, set internationally acceptable standard for admission to tertiary institutions and bring back the glory of quality education to our university.
“Above all, it is restructuring that would curb over concentration of power in the center and reduce corruption, promote harmony and unity and make the country metamorphose into a nation”, he added.
Chairman of the planning committee, Dr. Kunle Olajide had earlier noted that Nigeria was yet to realize its potentials despite the various economic and human resources it had.
Other speakers at the summit include Ekiti State Governor Mr. Ayodele Fayose; Chairman of the summit planning committee; former Governor of Ogun State, Dr. Gbenga Daniel; Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Chief Ruben Fasoranti; Mr. Yinka Odumakin; Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; Chief Femi Fani Kayode and Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN). They all declared that restructuring of the country was overdue.
Also present at the event were Otunba Gani Adams, Chief Deji Osibogun and Chief Femi Fani Kayode, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senator Femi Ojudu, and former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
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