…Says Restructuring Means Return back to Nigeria Independent Constitution
Anselem Anokwute
Chief Olu Falae, a prominent Yoruba leader and former Head of the Southwest Delegation to the President Jonathan’s National Constitutional Conference, has explained the meaning of restructuring in the Nigerian context.
Otimkpunews gathered the information from the recent interview on the National Leader from some major newspaper where the octogenarian re-emphasized that, restructuring means returning to the Independence Constitution negotiated by the three regions (North, East, and West) between 1957 and 1959, which gave considerable autonomy to the regions.
He highlighted that the military’s abolition of the constitution in 1966 led to the loss of regional autonomy and the concentration of power at the center. Falae advocated for a return to a federal system where regions (now federal regions comprising states) have significant autonomy, similar to earlier independent negotiation arrangements.
He clearly explains the meaning of restructuring in the Nigerian context, emphasizing a return to the country’s foundational principles of regional autonomy and negotiated unity.
Falae stresses that the military’s imposition of a centralized constitution undermined the initial agreement among the three regions, leading to unfairness.
He advocates for a return to a federal system with considerable regional autonomy, allowing regions to compete and develop healthily.
This clarification is crucial for understanding the concept of restructuring in Nigeria.
Chief Olu Falae’s explanation of restructuring is a call to return to Nigeria’s foundational principles of regional autonomy and negotiated unity.
He emphasizes that the military’s imposition of a centralized constitution undermined the country’s initial agreement and led to unfairness.
Falae advocates for a return to a federal system with considerable regional autonomy, allowing regions to compete and develop healthily. This clarifies the concept of restructuring and its significance in the Nigerian context.