By Innocent Idajili
A one time Minister of state, Health, under the former President, late Umaru Musa Yar Adua, Architect Gabriel Yakubu Aduku, has linked the agitations by Nigerians for restructuring of the country to the systemic failure of leadership to address the needs of the citizenry at all segments of the federating units.
The former Minister who is also the Amana Ogohi Atta Igala, made the assertion in a Congratulatory Message to the Presidential flagbearer of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on his emergence as the presidential candidate of the party.
Arc Aduku who agrees with the PDP flagbearer’s postulations on restructuring, said leadership failure has led to disequilibrium in the distribution of the ‘common wealth,’ thereby giving rise to calls for restructuring.
He indicated that some parts of the country feel alienated in the scheme of things, thereby giving birth to the attendant calls for self-determination by such ethnic groups, who do not feel safe in some parts of the country.
This is moreso now that there is so much violence and insecurity in the land, and economic marginalisation of the majority.
The Septuagenarian whose political observations informed his stance, said he was fascinated by the bold stance of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on structuring Nigeria; an area considered to be one of the most controversial issues in this country.
Chief Aduku who do not believe in restructuring along geo- political or ethnic boundaries alone, said he agreed with those who have posited that mineral resources should not be the only, and real resources we should be trying to control but the real ownership of the resources as well.
Education, which the former minister said is critical and fundamental for development and enduring progress, said restructuring should start from this critical sector.
According to him, it’s through quality education that the country can lay the foundation for everyone to have equal opportunity to excel.
In addition, he said there should be conscious effort to enthrone moral values in the traditional society as it was in the past, during the oil boom era of the 70s and 80s.
From the religious perspective, Aduku indicated that Nigeria should remain a secular state while restructuring of the country should take into account the religious diversities with concerted effort by government to ensure neutrality in religious matters so as to bring about much desired development.
On devolution of power which he said was an absolute necessity, he said the present political arrangement whereby so much powers are concentrated in the state and federal levels, is unnecessary.
“There has to be conscious transfer of power from the centre/ state to local authorities for effective administration of all units”.
According to Chief Aduku since the party is blessed with men and women above seventy years of age, their wisdom should be harnessed and deployed to take the party to victory.