Katsina inaugurates c’ttee on restructuring, gives condition for true federalism

As the clamour and agitations for restructuring of the Nigerian political landscape rages on, the Katsina state government has constituted a 37-man technical committee to come up with a document on the state’s stand on the issue.

Speaking shortly before inaugurating the committee, the state governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, said the clamour for restructuring across the country would be better understood if it would not erode the powers at the federal level.

According to him, the state would support true federalism if it would not erode the powers at the centre.

Masari said the centre must be effectively empowered to deal decisively with anyone or group that could threaten the unity of the country.

He also used the fora to debunk the insinuation that the state government and others are against the restructuring exercise, saying that what they would not subscribe to was the arrangement that would threaten the peaceful existence of the country.

“We are not against true federalism, we strongly believe in devolution in some areas and there should be a strong government at the centre,” he posited.

The Governor said on completion of the exercise, the document would be presented to stakeholders in the North to be considered among others as collective stand of the region on the matter.

He therefore called on members of the committee to come up with a “comprehensive report,” and to also consult and co-opt relevant stakeholders to enrich their assignment.

Responding on behalf of other members, the chairman of the committee and a former governor of the state Alhaji Saidu Barda, gave the assurance that they would do their best to come up with a good document on the restructuring issue.

Barda was represented by a member of the committee an ex-military administrator of both Kano and Sokoto states, Brigadier-General Ahmed Daku (rtd).

The committee has six weeks to complete its assignment.