Th e National Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and Presiding Bishop of the Calabar-based Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI), Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong, has said that the rejection of restructuring shows the National Assembly did not consult widely. Isong, who made the remarks Tuesday in a chat with our reporter said although the term ‘restructuring’ means diff erent things to diff erent people, “there is nothing wrong in devolving power to the states to ensure that the various regions develop attheir pace.”
His words: “National Assembly members themselves will always say that they represent the country and so speak for Nigerians. But how many of them have gone back home to consult with their constituents before they present their opinions in the chambers? But they will always claim to be the duly elected representatives of the people. Now, if I may ask; how many people have they consulted on issues that aff ect their constituents? For instance, none of my representatives in the National Assembly has never sought my opinion on any matter or my opinion on any issue of public interest as it aff ects my constituency, even as old as I am.
“I think that restructuring seems to mean diff erent things to diff erent people. While some see restructuring as going back to regional government, others see it as controlling resources coming from their area, call it resource control.
But whatever meaning that is given to restructuring, I think the currentNational Assembly lost a glorious opportunity to write its name in gold. “With the upsurge in agitation by various groups in the country, and even with voices of people like Atiku Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida, who have spoken in favour of devolution of power to diff use tension in the country, I believe the National Assembly should have been more people oriented on this matter. “Now, restructuring to me is like saying that everybody should go back to his mother’s house and let the father of all be Nigeria. Th ere is nothing wrong in devolving power to the states to ensure that the various regions develop at its pace. “And why not bring the 2014 confab report and implement it? If you think that the report has certain grey areas, you can amend it or give it a constitutional power and some sort of seal. But I also think that some members of the National Assembly have presidential ambition and would not want to be President under a weak Nigeria. Th ey want to be like Obasanjo, Buhari, Babangida and Goodluck Jonathan with power to control the resources.”
