Nigeria won’t move forward without restructuring, say Niger Delta leaders

Niger Delta leaders have again harped on the need to restructure the country and give the federating units a better sense of belonging.They urged the Federal Government to address the marginalisation of the regions, especially the Niger Delta, which they said had given so much to the country but has little to show for it.

They spoke at a lecture titled: “Road Map to Sustainable Peace in the Niger Delta,” as part of activities to mark the birthday of Niger Delta activist, Chief Mike Ekayama Loyibo.

Those who graced the occasion included retired Justice F.F. Tabai, Pere of Seimbiri Kingdom, HRM Ayemi Botu, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, and representatives of Bayelsa and Delta states governors and former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, among others.

They insisted that with the growing discontent among the ethnic nationalities, the country was over due for restructuring.Prof. Muoboghare, who was guest speaker said the Niger Delta region had been grossly marginalised, adding that the wealth from the region’s oil resources had been used to build mega cities in the North, Southwest and the East while troops are deployed to the region to forcibly extract oil there.

He said in spite of the directives by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo asking oil firms to relocate their head offices to the region, they had remained adamant due to legislative bottlenecks.

He added that Nigeria could not move forward as the government of the day refuses to listen to increasing calls for its restructuring.Loyibo said Nigeria needs the Niger Delta more than the region needs it saying: “Without the Niger Delta there is no Nigeria, what affects the Niger Delta affects the entire country.”He canvassed for the establishment of modular refineries, saying that will give the people a sense of belonging and would end illegal oil bunkering in the region.