Why North is gathering for restructuring —Bugaje

A former member of the House of Representatives and ex-Political Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Usman Bugaje discusses the clamour for restructuring within the context of the likely position of the north on the matter.

                                                        Bugaje

Lately you've been under the political radar, what have you been doing? 

I'm not sure I'm under the radar, but I'm sure what I've been doing. In recent years I have focused my attention on development, because it is quite clear that without development there can be no peace. Many of the security gaps we have in different parts of the country are inextricably linked to development, or lack of it, so to speak.

I and many colleagues have created the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), which has focused on the North, as it has much worse development rates in the country. But I recognize the fact that until we can change our dishonest political culture, provide content to our empty policy we can not make any appreciable development. An appreciable development So while we focus on development, we are also paying attention to politics. While the economy is key, we have to admit that politics is the king.

What is the inspiration for this conference? 
This conference is a response to a debate on the nature and future of the Nigerian federation, popularly called restructuring. The term "restructuring" is problematic for many reasons. First, it seems to be a transitive verb that needs an object, in other words, not knowing what exactly we are restructuring, does not have a meaning. It has become a cliche for all forms of discontent. The debate in the media has lacked clarity, much less accuracy and precision; terms like "True Federation", suggest that there is a false federation. Therefore, it has been necessary to bring together experts to discuss the issues, provide the records and clarify the debate to allow different communities and interests to take informed positions. So the conference to be held on 11 and 12 October at Arewa House Kaduna is precisely a conference aimed at bringing together experts to clarify the issues. From this conference, the technical committee created by the Northern Governors and the traditional rulers will proceed to digest the deliberations and will present proposals for an informed position of the North in the current debate. You may have noticed that the title of the conference is "the north and the future of the Nigerian federation".

Who are the organizers? 
The ARDP leads a group of Northern platforms, such as the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, the Arewa Advisory Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the Code Group, the JamiyarMatanArewa, the Northern Youth Forum and a host of others . Of course, this conference has the blessings of the Committee created by Northern Governors and Traditional Rulers of the North and will ensure synergy and coordination.

Who are the participants in the conference?
 The conference is open to all. In fact, we encourage young people to attend because it is their future that the conference will discuss.

What do you think of the relative lack of harmony in the subject of the devolution of powers by some subgroups in the North? 
I do not see it as disharmony, it is natural to have different points of view, but a conference gives us the opportunity to reach some convergence, overcoming the knowledge gaps and prioritizing the superior arguments. As for the devolution of powers, I have no knowledge of any subgroup that is against the devolution of powers from the center to the federated units. I think we all agree on the principle, but we can differ in the details. It is not healthy to have a single vision; creativity comes with diversity; Monkey narratives can be dangerous.

Do you think that Nigeria's structure as it is now remains viable?
This question is vague, because I can ask again what is in the current structure that makes you doubt its feasibility. I think there are at least two issues here: one, the problem of this country is not just about its structure, and it will be wrong to assume that once we solve the structural problems we are out of the forest. Therefore, we have to look further and one thing we can clearly see is that leadership problems is a big problem. Currently the mechanism of recruiting leadership in our parties can not produce competent and quality leadership; is not calibrated to do so. Two, in any federation structure are continuously evaluated and reviewed. Over time it may be desirable to strengthen the center and at some other times it may be necessary to weaken it. It is a dynamic process. In short, at a time when Nigeria will be better managed if adjustments are made in its structure, but we must realize that this alone will not be the panacea, we need to include a change in the process of acquiring leadership, to ensure that more informed, more competent and more conscious leaders emerge.

Is there a perception that the North is against restructuring?
I disagree. You may be surprised that many in the north are much more ready for a federation that gives more freedom to their federation units and much less regimental than what they get now. Many in the North complain that their values ​​have been dilutedby the federation. The claim that the South is at a political disadvantage ... on an equal footing? I think what we should focus on is equity rather than equality.

The land mass of the north is already 78.5 percent of the total mass of the country, what can we do about it?
So if you want the Southeast to have six states, to match other zones, you must provide the scientific basis.

Scientific base Is it a population or a mass of land? 
Whatever the formula you agree on, you have to apply it across the country and see how many states you are going to take out. The total land mass of the Niger State is already more than double that of the Southeast. What we need is not equality as equity, to each according to their land and population. If oil is an asset, increasingly reduced, land is also an asset, it is also limited, only that its value increases as the population increases, a simple question of demand and supply.

What do you think of the clamor for the reintroduction of the 1963 constitution? 
I do not endorse the idea of ​​introducing a constitution made more than 60 years ago, I would suggest that we take the lessons that we have and make a constitution that takes into account our current situation and our challenges. I am referring to a constitution that looks to the future so that we can have something that can serve us well in the future. Our failure to appreciate the future and prepare for it is part of our great problem as a people. Most of the time we are stuck with the past as if life were stagnant. Life is dynamic and if we are not dynamic in our thinking we will remain behind time and continue to recede. We will also be behind our partners in the world.

How would you react to the Middlebelt's position on restructuring?
I do not understand this fixation of the Middle Belt. It has views on restructuring that is different from the rest of the North. I can not see it. What I see is that there are areas where there are agreements across the North and there are areas where there are divergences that seem natural to me. These divergences can be minimized and resolved through the type of conference we are holding where the whole North will meet.

Do you think the concept of a monolithic North remains viable? 
What is viable? Life is dynamic, population is constantly increasing, new ideas are spreading, new challenges are emerging and new needs are emerging. The viability here may be sustainability. I believe that the North has enough in common to remain together, but the form and form of this union is determined by the dynamics of society and the quality of leadership it obtains. And that's why it's important to pay attention to how leaders emerge.