Former Vice President Atiku Says Current Nigeria’s Structure “Not Working”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday said the Federal Republic of Nigeria as currently constituted is not working, saying greater autonomy to states is the panacea to the country’s multi-faceted internal crisis.

Mr. Atiku’s recommendations came when he spoke at the official launch of “We Are All Biafrans”, a new book by journalist and scholar, Chido Onumah, in Abuja.

Mr. Atiku, who was Nigeria’s vice-president between 1999-2007, said Nigerians have suffered for too long under a poorly-designed structure.
“Nigeria is not working, as well as it should,” Mr. Atiku said. “And part of the reason is the poor way we have structured our economy and governance especially since 1960.”

Mr. Atiku said the federal government’s powers dwindle those of states, consequently making it difficult for states to carry out customised initiatives for their individual residents, a situation he said “needs to change”.

“The federal government is too big and too powerful relative to the federating units,” Mr. Atiku said. “That situation needs to change and calling for that change is patriotic.”

Mr. Atiku also urged Nigerians to desist from labelling those clamouring for a weak center in Nigeria’s political system.

“We must refrain from assuming that anyone calling for restructuring of our federation is working for the breakup of our country. Absolutely not. And I reject that notion.”