The debate on restructuring the Nigerian polity has resurfaced, prompted not only by regular calls from stakeholders but also by the Supreme Court's confirmation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's electoral victory. NADECO, a key organization that advocated for the return of democratic rule, congratulated Tinubu on his legal triumph and reiterated the importance of restructuring the country.The call for restructuring is not new, originating from the anti-military struggle, which sought a Sovereign National Conference to address the skewed Nigerian federation. This call persisted through the inauguration of the fourth republic, leading to attempts by two successive governments to convene conferences addressing the contradictions in the Nigerian federation.
Efforts by civil society groups, such as CENCOD, and former President Obasanjo's national conference in 2005, highlighted various issues within the Nigerian polity. Despite compromises and disagreements, the conference in 2014 during Goodluck Jonathan's administration produced recommendations, including the creation of more states. However, the succeeding Buhari administration did not act on these recommendations.
The polity faced numerous crises under the Buhari administration, leading to ethnic and regional agitations by groups like the Yoruba nationality movement, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Movement for the Survival of Biafra, and Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). Nigeria experienced challenges like killings, external orientation, and a lack of productivity, demanding urgent attention to restructuring.
NADECO's call to President Tinubu aligns with the El-Rufai Committee's recommendations within the APC, urging the government to address devolution of powers, resource control, local government affairs, state police, state court of appeal, and independent candidacy. Despite these recommendations, concrete steps toward restructuring have not been evident in Tinubu's government.
This renewed call emphasizes the failure to address fundamental issues in the country, despite various conferences and proposed model constitutions by organizations like the Movement for National Reformation (MNR). As a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement advocating restructuring, President Tinubu is urged to use his position to implement reforms that could bring progress, development, and lasting peace to Nigeria.