Bode George calls for national confab, YCE opposes zoning
From Niyi Bello (Akure), Iyabo Sotunde (Ibadan) and Ifedayo Sayo (Ado Ekiti)
ANOTHER leader of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has .thrown his weight behind the trenchant call for restructuring of the country.
Vice President Atiku Abubakar was reported to have said at the stakeholders' conference on political reforms held in May this year at Abuja that the Federal Government would convene a national conference before 2007 to address the various structural problems facing the country.
Atiku who was reported to be reacting to a call by former Secretary of Education, Professor Ben Nwabueze, in his lecture on constitutional reform, said that the administration saw the need for reforms.
Similarly, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) yesterday kicked against zoning of the nation's presidency, saying the best candidate should be allowed to occupy the post.
The call for restructuring of the polity was re-echoed by George yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital at the meeting of the PDP chairmen in the 17 Southern states.
According to George, who is the National Vice Chairman of the PDP in the South-West geo-political zone, there is the urgent need to restructure the Nigerian federation "in a way that will be perceived to be fair to all."
In a keynote address he delivered at the meeting, George called on all stakeholders in the polity to realise the need to reform the present political structure.
He told the chairmen and other party faithful: "One major area of our national life, which cannot escape your attention, is the way our federation is currently structured.
"Please permit me to suggest that there is a clear need to reform our federation in a way that it will be perceived to be fair to all."
Specifically, the PDP leader pointed to the lopsidedness of the distribution of local government councils, which he argued is not in favour of a section of the country.
His words: "I am aware that the distribution of local government councils is a major concern in the South and I dare say the distribution of states as well.
"We must continue to work at getting a distribution pattern, which follows the logic of demography rather than that of political power.
"It is a matter of fact that the local government councils in Nigeria today are the products of arbitrariness rather than objective considerations. There is need to bring these considerations into play in order to have a just and fair federal system.
"Justice and fairness are the foundations of society, without which a society or country will perpetually be in crisis."
He explained that the adoption of rotational presidency by the PDP is an attempt by its leaders to remove the injustice of power equation and promote a sense of belonging in all the sections of the country.
He noted: "This system of rotational presidency, which I often describe as Turn-By-Turn Nigeria Ltd, has offered our pluralistic multi-national environment an opportunity for fairness in the distribution of power.
"We must extend the same principle to all aspects of our national life. It is by treading the path of justice and fair play that our country can enjoy peace, which is necessary for development and progress."
George also warned all those already campaigning for the 2007 presidency, saying that their action was capable of destroying the PDP as presently constituted and could negatively affect the foundation of the country's democracy.
He said: "As we all know, the rumblings of contests are becoming louder and louder but we must do our very best to cage this monster, which has the potential of not only tearing the party apart but giving it a very poor image.
"The challenge for our party today and in the nearest future is to work to change the fortunes of our people and deliver on those promises, which we voluntarily made during the elections. We must not be seen as a party whose only pre-occupation is winning power. Rather, we must be seen as a party which acquires and uses power for ends that are noble and good."
George a retired Naval officer, also cleared the air on what he called "the increasing disquiet about the participation of retired military and para-military personnel in politics." He stressed that it is their democratic right to participate.
"Besides, in developed democracies, military and para-military services are badges of honour in politics and not marks of condemnation.
"Let the competition flow and let democracy have full flow so that the most capable hands will plough our richly endowed hands into greatness," he said.
The YCE, otherwise known as the Igbimo Agba Yoruba in a statement issued at the end of its meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital also restated its call for true federation, saying this is imperative for peace and stability of the country.
In the statement signed by the council's acting secretary General, Dr. Kunle Olajide, the group pointed out that the presidency in this age and time should be for the best candidate irrespective of zone or tribe.
Besides, it faulted allegations that the council is in support of a particular candidate for the presidential election in 2007, saying "at the appropriate time, Igbimo Agba will make its position on the issue clear".
While renewing call for the restructuring of the polity, the council noted that true federation and a reform of the political and electoral systems are imperative for 2007 to herald peace, progress and stability.
The group also called on the ethnic nationalities in the country to start preparing their agenda on the state of the nation as a prelude to an inevitable national conference.
It reaffirmed its commitment to work with all Yoruba organisations and groups that are genuinely interested in the unity of the race.
Meanwhile, a university teacher, Professor Dipo Kolawole, has warned that the high level of poverty in the country poses a serious threat to the nation's democracy.
Kolawole said yesterday that the only way forward was for government to address the problem that could spell doom for the nation, rather than dissipating energy on issues that have no direct bearing on the people.
In his paper titled: "Roles of Local Governments in the Maintenance of communities Micro-Projects" at a workshop in Ado-Ekiti, the University of Ado-Ekiti teacher said poverty is a terrible affliction that dehumanises and destabilises, and has no respect for the young and the old.
According to him, the problem, which is already ravaging different communities in the country can only be conquered through concerted efforts geared towards strategic planning and effective utilisation of poverty reduction model.`
