The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated its commitment to the nation’s restructuring as contained in its manifesto.
It, however, said the restructuring promised by the party did not suggest the breakup of Nigeria.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said on Saturday.
Abdullahi explained that just like the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, said earlier, the party had not renounced its manifesto.
He said, “The APC promised in its manifesto to restructure (Nigeria), but we are no longer sure that when people say ‘restructuring,’ they are saying the same thing as APC intended.
“The word ‘restructuring’ has taken on new connotations that we are no longer sure what some people are talking about when they say ‘restructuring.’
“For example, if Nnamdi Kanu uses the word ‘restructuring’ today, is it the same thing as intended in the APC manifesto? If the Arewa youths that gave an ultimatum to Igbo living in the North use the word ‘restructuring’, are they using the word as intended in the APC manifesto?
“The term ‘restructuring’ as contained in our manifesto, is a series of political reforms that will strengthen our federalism in order to achieve greater national unity.”
He pointed out that APC’s idea of restructuring was that of devolution of more powers to the states, state policing and bringing governance closer to the people.
Odigie-Oyegun had, in an interview with reporters after a meeting with governors elected on the platform of the APC on Thursday, restated the party’s commitment to its manifesto, though Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had described those clamouring for restructuring as “opportunists.”
Part of the APC manifesto said the party would “initiate action to amend our constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench true federalism and the federal spirit; strengthen INEC to reduce/eliminate electoral malpractices; attract the best into our politics and public service by aggressive recruitment of private sector people, academics and professionals within Nigeria and in the Diaspora through internships, fellowships, executive appointments and special nomination to contest elective offices.”
It also promised to, “prevent abuse of executive, legislative and public offices through greater accountability, transparency and strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws while strengthening the EFCC and ICPC; amend the constitution and to remove immunity from prosecution for elected officers in criminal cases.”
The manifesto also promised to “ensure full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act so that government-held data can be requested and used by the media and the public at large, and then published on regular basis.” – Punch.
