Yakasai, Akintoye Disagree On Scope, Process Of Restructuring

An elder statesman and former presidential adviser, Tanko Yakassai and the Chairman of the Political Committee of Afenifere, Professor Banji Akintoye have expressed a different opinion on the scope and process of restructuring.

Different calls for the restructuring of Nigeria have earlier formed the narrative among political and intellectual circles, and they are increasing in intensity by the day.

Speaking on Channels Television breakfast programme, Yakassai said he is in support of restructuring but a blueprint is needed for the restructuring process to be successful.

“What we have been arguing for is a blueprint for restructuring. Now, some people have started to speak out. We have four regions- North, West, East and Mid-west. Then, there was a gathering of some Afenifere leaders in Ibadan and they said they wanted to us to go back to 1963 constitution. But they created six regions in 1963.”

Yakassai said he believes that a return to the 1963 constitution will provide a stronger platform for restructuring process in Nigeria.

“We don’t have six regions, we cannot eat our cake and have it. If we want to go back to 1963 constitution, then we go back to four regions. If we want to create more, then we use the provisions of 1963 constitution to create more.”

However, Professor Banji Akintoye, the chairman of the political committee of Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba organisation argues that restructuring must take into consideration ethnic, cultural and regional differences, noting that a country like Nigeria is not one nation.

“A country like our own, we are not one nation, we are many nations and each nation has its own territory, its own culture and its own dignity in the world and wants to do things in its own way.”

Citing the example of holding public hearings, Akintoye said he supports the idea of holding public hearings which is a good way to produce a policy.

“I think the public hearings is a very positive thing to do in a democratic society. You are opening the discussion to the people, gathering their ideas and the purpose is to gather it together and use it to produce a policy, that’s good.”