The last Straw - Nigeria listen to the voice of reason

[Babs onabanjo]

This is the last straw that may break Nigeria, if Nigeria fails to listen to the voice of reason and equity. The solution is glaringly simple, which means that Nigeria must be restructured to fast-track economic growth and entrepreneurial productivity and development. Otherwise, Nigeria risks the dilemma of non-existence and destruction.
Currently, the North has 19 states, mostly unsustainable, while the South has 17 states, some likely not sustainable as well. Interestingly, there are more senators and representatives from the North- these are constitutionally empowered to make laws that govern the conduct of all Nigerian citizens. The Military imposed constitution was designed to favor the North at the expense of the South and orchestrated with impunity. Therefore, the adoption of a flawed constitution creates an unjust system that benefits the North, making it difficult to change through a constitutional means. The military constitution imposition must be done away with along with the unitary system which is counterproductive to a democratic dispensation form of government. The current Nigerian structure imposed by the constitution is therefore unjust, inequitable, unfair and unbalanced and must be changed to address the challenges of the current disposition.
Furthermore, the North has 19 states with 419 local government districts, 58 senatorial seats and 191 House of Representatives. On the other hand, the South has 17 states with 357 local government districts, 51 senatorial seats and 169 House of Representatives.
I submit that the North is reaping where they have not sowed at the expense of the South whose sweat and labor and resources are channeled to the North through an unjust structure, policies and laws.
It is on this and other basis that restructuring Nigeria into six autonomous regions, three from the North and three from South will proffer a lasting solution, unity, peace , economic productivity , growth and sustainability of the Nigerian entity. Long live Nigeria as well articulated in my previous article entitled “The Right way to restructure Nigeria”. My next article will share light on “Is the South-West prepared for Restructuring- pro-active measures”. Prof. Babs Onabanjo