AKURE—THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National vice-chairman Chief Bode George yesterday canvassed the reformation of the Nigerian federation in a way that it will be just and fair to all.
Chief George who spoke in Akure at the meeting of the chairmen of the party for the 17 southern states of the country lamented that the current structure of the federation could not guarantee equity and fairness.
He said: “One major area of our national life, which cannot escape your attention, is the way in which 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.
Describing the distribution of local government and state unfavourable to the south, he said “we must continue to work at getting a distribution pattern, which follows the logic of demography rather than of political power.
“It is a matter of fact that the local government council 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.
“We all know that justice and fairness are the foundations of society. Without them a society or country will perpetually be in crisis. We recognize this point, as demonstrated in the adoption of the system of rotational presidency.
“This system which I often described as turn-by-turn Nigeria Limited 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 treating the path of justice and fair play that our country can enjoy peace, which is necessary for development and progress.” Chief George declared.
On the challenges of the 2007 presidential election, the national vice chairman said that “the rumblings of contests are becoming louder and loudest but we must be careful not to be distracted by them. Indeed, we must do our very best to cage this monster, which has the potential of not only tearing the party apart but also 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 with winning power. Rather, we must be seen as a party, which acquires and uses power for ends that are noble and good.
Speaking on participation of retired military men in politics in the country, Chief George said “Permit me to sound a note of caution on the increasing disquiet about the participation of the retired military and para-military personnel in politics.
