An elder statesman and Muslim leader in Rivers State, Alhaji Abubakar Orlu, has said that country was over ripe for restructuring, stressing that Nigerians should not deceive themselves of being a united nation.
Alhaji Orlu made the remark yesterday, in Port Harcourt, while speaking on the state of the nation, emphasizing that without restructuring the country in six geo-political zones, regional agitations would not end.
He faulted the condemnation of restructuring by some state governors, stating that no part of the country is not viable and should be allowed to use its resources for development.
The elder statesman chided the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government for its lopsided in the federal appointments, pointing out that the marginalisation demonstrated by the government was the bane of the agitations across the country.
He stated: “Those, who are not supporting restructuring, are ignorant of what is happening in the country. They are enemies of the country. If they know what restructuring stands for, they will not opposed to it. I want you to know that, Nigeria of today, is not united and we should not deceive ourselves.
“Is it not clear that in the South-South and South East, this Federal government has nothing to show? That is not what government is all about. Previous government spent time developing the North. The issue of being voted for or not, should not determine development of an area.
Speaking on the Biafra agitation, the Muslim leader cautioned Federal Government that Biafra struggle would not die in the minds of South East people, saying that restructuring could pacify them.
“What we need is to appeal to them (Biafra people) to accept restructuring for us to live together in peace as one Nigeria. I want to state that the Biafra struggle is in the minds and blood of South East people and, therefore, cannot die. So, Federal Government should appeal to them to accept restructuring.
“Without restructuring this country, Nigeria will find it difficult to live together in peace because there is no unity. Let us restructure this country before the 2019 general elections, so that we can live as one country”, the elder statesman advised.