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Nigeria Collapsing Under Buhari -Ohanaeze …No Going Back On Restructuring, Southern, Middle-Belt Leaders Declare
President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisatioon, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has likened Nigeria to a jungle facing imminent collapse under the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, Nigeria currently does not represent the wishes and aspirations of the people.
Nwodo told newsmen that the country must be restructured, saying that the Council of State has arrogated to itself the power of the legislature.
“Now, this is our plight; does it mean that our security forces cannot infiltrate the Boko Haram? All over the world, that is the essence of intelligence. Enter the organisation with your own informant within the organisation”, he said.
“Does it mean they don’t? Does it mean the $1 billion is going nowhere? Now, the Council of State has arrogated to itself the legislative organ. The other day, they budgeted $1 billion to give to states that are prepared to give grazing colonies. This is the rule of the jungle and the country is collapsing.”
Nwodo also bemoaned the poor security situation of the country, which led to the recent abduction of some girls from Dapchi, Yobe State.
“The porosity of the security in Nigeria leaves one with a lot of disgust that I am beginning to wonder whether there is not something behind all of this.
“Boko Haram has sought for ransom before and they were given ransom; so soon after the children have been kidnapped, somebody who calls herself Mama Boko Haram said she was now being contacted.
“When you give them this money, they will use it to re-arm themselves and they will use it, come back and kill more of our troops. Is government part of Boko Haram?”, Nwodo quipped rhetorically.
Meanwhile, leaders from the three geopolitical zones in the Southern part of the country and the North-Central, last Saturday, vowed to remain resolute over their demand for the restructuring of the country.
At a mega rally held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, they declared that no amount of intimidation blackmail and killings could deter them in their quest for a country that is based on equity, fairness and justice.
Host Governor, Seriake Dickson, joined the coalition of leaders to reiterate his call on the Federal Government to restructure the country before the 2019 general election.
Dickson, who spoke at the South-South mega rally with the theme: “Restructuring the Nigerian Federation, noted that, only restructuring would guarantee the development, unity and peaceful coexistence of the country.
Dickson, who emphasised the need for consensus building to foster better understanding on the issue and convince opponents of restructuring, pointed out that no amount of military intimidation, blackmail and wanton killings would suppress the agitations for resource control, environmental justice, equity and proper federalism generally.
While commending the All Progressives Congress (APC) for setting up the el-Rufai Committee on restructuring, Dickson, however, called for sincerity of purpose by synchronising areas of divergent views, push President Muhammadu Buhari to sponsor executive bill to the National Assembly for debate and passage by the National Assembly.
In his remarks, the special guest of honour and former President Goodluck Jonathan, urged Nigerians to closely study the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, with a view to finding a common ground in resolving issues agitating the people.
Represented by Senator Nimi Barigha Amange, Jonathan said the call for restructuring was not misplaced, as it would go a long way in addressing the structural challenges of the country and ensure equal rights to all Nigerians.
Chairman on the occasion, Chief Albert Horsfall, urged the people to be positive and united in the struggle for resource control.
Also, the co-chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Professor Godini Darah, who described the event as a festival of unity and restoration of federalism in Nigeria, said the rally was a follow-up to an earlier one organised by the South-West in Ibadan last year.
On his part, the national leader of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, posited that the constituent parts of the federation would do better in terms of development, if they were empowered to control and manage their resources.
Going down memory lane, leader of the Afenifere delegation, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, noted that what is today known as, the struggle for resource control was started by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who made a strong case for the Minorities in the 1954 London Constitutional Conference.
Presenting the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, said the mass movement for restructuring was aimed at restoring the stolen sovereignty of the people from oppressive and undemocratic forces for the common good of the country.
Dr. Bala Takaya, of the Middle-Belt, also called on youths and the womenfolk to join in the task of taking back the country from the precipice.
While stressing that the Middle Belt was in the vanguard for the call for true federalism through restructuring, he said only true federalism would give a sense of belonging to all ethnic nationalities in the country and stop the ongoing ethnic cleansing across the country.
Others at the rally were a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae; former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, former Ijaw Youth Council President, Chief Asari Dokubo, Senator Stella Omu and representatives of the governors of Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
They insisted that true federalism of Nigeria remained the ace to the nation’s stability and economic prosperity, stressing that, recent developments in the country have given credence to the fact that there is no better time to restructure than now.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.