Don’t Dismiss Calls For Restructuring, Gov Ortom Tells FG, Says Great Nations Attain Their Status By Listening To Ideas Of Their Citizens

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has urged the Federal Government not to dismiss the call by many for the restructuring of the country.

Not a few Nigerians, including clergymen like Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, have opined that the country needs to be restructured to fully attain its desires.

But the Presidency, rather than listening to their clamour, described them as “unpatriotic and unwarranted”, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be moved by “the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the President to do one thing or another or else, in their language”.

“Repeat: this administration will not take any decision against the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of a health crisis,” a statement by Garba Shehu, the President’s Media Aide read.

“The President as an elected leader under this constitution will continue to work with patriotic Nigerians, through and in line with the Parliamentary processes to finding solutions to structural and other impediments to the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people.”

However, the Benue Governor, in a statement by Terver Akase, his Chief Press Secretary, said the views expressed in support of restructuring should not be seen as an ‘unpatriotic outburst’, adding that the nation is not under a military administration that suppresses the voices and opinions of the people.

He added that no great nation attain its enviable status by not listening to those who make bold submissions on the development of their countries.

“Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom urges the Federal Government not to dismiss calls for the restructuring of the country and other views expressed by the people as ‘unpatriotic outbursts’,” said Governor Ortom.

“Nigeria is practising democracy which guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens and not military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions about challenges facing their country.

“It is incumbent on the Federal Government to listen to the views of the people and evolve acceptable ways of addressing the problems confronting the country instead of engaging in a combative style, anyone who dares to suggest alternative approaches to tackling the challenges.

“Great nations of the world got to their enviable status by harnessing and utilising ideas of their citizens, not by discouraging those who made bold submissions on the development of their countries.”