Shekarau tells FG to look into previous constitutional conference reports

Former governor of Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has called on the federal government to look into some of previous reports of the National Conferences and use them has a guideline for the benefit of the country.

Shekarau also said the government should listen to the voice of the people by setting up an appropriate body to collate all the previous constitutional conferences.

He said unless that was done, the country may fall into the trap of elites who are championing the cause of restructuring of the country for personal gains.

The former Kano governor maintained that this would also douse the agitation for restructuring rocking different regions of the country.

He spoke with journalists shortly after a book launch held in Akure, the state capital on Wednesday.

The book is written by Seinde Arogbofa entitled ‘Nigeria: The path we refused to take’

Shekarau said, “I know you will agree with me that different people have different meaning to the restructuring. Unless as nation, we identify collectively on what we mean by restructuring, we will never get there.

“I support any restructuring any arrangement that will ensure political stability that will bring progress that will bring free and fair and just leadership in Nigeria.“

Shekarau said the Federal government though does not need another constitution conference but added the setting up an appropriate body and trusted people to collate all the reports of the previous conferences to collect all the ideas would help the country.

“Now, everybody is interpreting it in his own way and that is not a Nigeria. If we are not careful, we will fall in to the hands of few elite. Some people want restructuring that will give government a regional geo-political zone because they want to be super governors in a geo- political zone.”

He however said “ I don’t want to bring in any particular interpretation that would break Nigeria ,but the interpretation that would move Nigeria forward. I am not speaking here as a northerner, but I am speaking as a Nigerian.

“In the Southwest, it is not just about the state police, even in the Southeast, it is not just about Biafra, the Southeast wants additional state. All others zones have six states while one has seven. The Southeast needs additional one state.”

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure