A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has said that restructuring Nigeria in the sense of true federalism is the best antidote to an impending state of anarchy.
He said that the various ethnic and religious tensions experienced within Nigeria will only end when the tenets of true federalism are adopted and practiced in the country.
Ozekhome gave this warning at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja while responding to questions from newsmen on Nigeria’s federal system of government.
He said: “Restructuring, we must do. To restructure is to enable us achieve true federalism, because the so called federalism we are operating now is lopsided. It is somewhat a unitary system of government, where the majority groups are oppressing the minority groups. That is why you see the various types of schisms in several parts of the country.
“True federalism is a system of government that allows disparate groups of people to live within their comfort zone respecting others while being respected in turn with a central government and component units.
“In a true federal system of government, minorities have their say and are respected. Their opinions count while the majorities will eventually have their way.
“We need to give voice to the voiceless, let people express themselves. Whilst not advocating for the break-up of Nigeria, we must allow the minorities to have their say and let the majority have their way through dialogue.
“To avoid IPOB, MASSOB, Niger-Delta Militants, Shiite Muslims, Agatu and Odi massacres, we need to practice true federalism where each region is allowed to develop according to its pace, nuances, and idiosyncrasies. Anything short of that, we are only postponing doomsday.”
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