Ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has called on Nigerian youths to come together and quit supporting “obsolete generations”.
Prof Wole Soyinka made the call Maiden Handshake Across Nigeria with the theme “Nigeria Beyond Oil” organized by Nzuko Umunna and Core Federalists where he also joined in the push for restructuring of the country.
Soyinka urged the youths to mobilize themselves, be innovative and come together to choose a representative. He also mentioned that they should not rely on what the old politicians which he referred to as ‘obsolete generation’.
Speaking on restructuring, Soyinka maintained that the call for restructuring is not alien saying it means the leadership of the country needs to hearken unto the request of the people to restructure the country.
“People speak of restructuring at all times, it means something is not functioning, it is possible that the part to whole or part to part is not smooth. If people are saying you should restructure, you should work towards it”, he added.
Soyinka stressed that “States should be given maximum control over their resources. Some people want to grow rice, some people want to grow religion, we know where religion has taken us to in this country.”
For his part, President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo said the restructuring of the nation is not just a mere call but about the sovereignty of resources, independence of legislature by the federating unit.
The leader of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said oftentimes people do not understand what restructuring requires. “Even the president and the vice president do Jordan understand themselves on the concept of restructuring.
Restructuring is beyond federalism, we need to restructure even to the constitution”, he added.
Prof Ango Abdullahi, Convener Northern Elders Forum who was represented by Prof Yima Sen said restructuring is a process adding that “restructuring is necessary for us to get it right as a nation.”
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