Group seeks electoral reforms, restructuring for national growth

To restore the country to the path of growth, peace and development, the Federal Government has been advised to prioritise restructuring, electoral reforms and put in place measures to end police brutality, among other issues.

A group, the African News Centre, which made this call at the weekend at a round-table meeting on the state of the nation monitored on zoom, stressed the need for the Federal Government to focus on specific issues holding down the nation.

Executive Director of ANC, Mr. Ola Adebayo, said: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions. The plans of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration have been swept under the carpet. As a result, the administration is cruising in the direct opposite of the plans it had at outset with so much uncertainty. The effect is the negative impact on the socio-economic development of the country and failure to fulfil promises made to citizens.

“Six years ago, the agenda of the current government centred on federalism and amending the constitution to attract great minds, especially among Nigerians in Diaspora. With the quality of manifesto, no intelligent mind would believe what had become of the government today.”

In her view, a participant at the roundtable, Grace Oyenubi, noted that federalism is a system of good governance, which any well-meaning leader ought to strive to entrench in the nation, adding that good leaders ought to be elected based on merit, rather than religious or societal status.

On another hand, a media expert, Fit CatonWa, said reconciliation should be the focus of Nigerians at the moment and not restructuring which could lead to further division in the 36 states.

“The call for restructuring is borne out of frustration with the system of governance and the absence of fairness and unity in government, rather than the geographical classification of the country,” he added.

The group, which also sought the amendment of the constitution ahead of the 2023 general elections, said that only a new national constitution with input from the 36 states of the federation could ensure vibrant leaders are elected to bring about the desired change in the country.