From Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Governors of the five states in the Niger Delta region, except Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State at the weekend stayed away from a rally organised by Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in Yenagoa to drum up support for restructuring of the country.
The eldersa�� group is led by the Edwin Clark.
Only Akwa Ibom and Delta State governments sent representatives to the rally where the governors were advertised to be present to chart a new course for greater revenue for the region.
The AUTHORITY recalls that former governors of the region were unanimous in the struggle for the 13 per cent derivation currently being enjoyed by the present leadership in the zone.
However, at the event, southern leaders comprising South-South, South West and the South East, and the Middle Belt reiterated the need to restructure the country.
The leaders announced their resolve to work together for the realisation of the goal.
They contended that restructuring was the best solution to the current challenges facing the country.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who called for the implementation of the 2014 National Confab report, argued that the document addressed the concerns raised by advocates of restructuring.
Jonathan who was said to be in Sierra Leone to monitor elections was represented by Senator Nimi Amange.
The President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, stated that restructuring would go a long way to better the lives of Nigerians.
a�?What we mean by restructuring is fair treatment and justice; restructuring is a call for a new Nigeria, which will enhance unity and justice of the people.
a�?Our people need unity, equity and justice as citizens; restructuring implies the structural and a physical paradigm of Nigeria to give all sections a sense of belonging,a�? Nwodo said.
Dr. Bala Takaya, the President of the Middle Belt Forum, who decried the level of insecurity in the country, stressed the need for the restructuring of the nation.
According to him, the alliance between the Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt is for inclusive Nigeria to effect the restructuring of the nation to a federal system of government, where each federating unit shall hold equal and coordinate powers.
In his remark, Clark said that the leaders of the regions were in support of the restructuring of Nigeria.
According to Clark, a�?nobody is more important than any other person in this country, every Nigerian is equal and all we are asking for is fair treatment for all citizens.a��a��
The leader of Afenifere (the pan-Yoruba socio-political group), Chief Ayo Adebayo, said that the organisation not only support restructuring, but had clamoured for minority rights since 1954, adding that the current campaign for restructuring was a dream come true.
Governor Dickson commended his guests and their renewed call for the restructuring of the nation.
a�?We gathered here in Bayelsa, the heart of Ijaw Nation for the course of an egalitarian and prosperous Nigeria.a�? Dickson said.
Niger Delta Govs shun PANDEFa��s restructuring rally in Yenagoa
