The North has kicked against the idea of referring to the Niger Delta, as an oil-producing region, because all the mineral resources belong to the Nigerian State.
The Convener of the Arewa Research and Development Project, ARDP, Dr Usman Bugaje, made this position known as the Northern region met to make there a final decision on restructuring.
Bugaje maintained that restructuring of the country would be far different from what the other regions are proposing, as the North will not accept any suggestion to return to six regions.
He said the ARDP is organising a Conference to harmonise the position of Northerners, which would involve the State Governors, Traditional Rulers, Public Policy Groups, and other stakeholders.
“Generally speaking, the factor that drives the quest for restructuring is the dissatisfaction with governance in Nigeria. I’m not quite sure of the solution the people are giving, but clearly, the clamour is driven by our inability to deliver on development”, he said.
He added: “It is wrong for any State to be referred to as oil producing in Nigeria, since all the mineral resources belong to the Nigerian State.
“When we hear groups in different parts of the country talking about restructuring, they come with demands as if they are in a position to force others, and I think that might have come from the kind of Military regimes that we have seen before that influenced our psyche.
“I think as citizens, if you have a genuine concern about how things are going, and you want to offer a solution, you come to the table with a solution and arguments that support that particular suggestion, so that you can persuade fellow citizens, and make them appreciate it”, he said.
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