The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives
Congress, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has dismissed claims that
President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected restructuring.
Abdullahi, who was reacting to the President’s January 1st
nationwide address on Monday, said there was nothing in the
President’s speech to suggest that he had foreclosed a debate on
the issue.
According to him, the President explained that our problem as a
nation was more of processes rather than structure.
The APC spokesmen said, “Quite significantly, he (the President)
also touched on the issue of restructuring; this is something he
has not really touched on in the past at all.
“What the President said is that ‘Look, I am not ruling out
restructuring’ but he also noted that the problem with us is not
really the system but the processes, that whatever form of
government or whatever structure or position we take regarding
restructuring depends on how well we manage it.
“Some people say he has rejected restructuring, no. But he is
saying that government welcomes all ideas on how to improve the
country, that is like saying come let’s have a conversation. We are
confident that we are going to see more developments (this
year).”
Abdullahi equally noted that there were so many things to take
away from the President’s speech because the fact that it was
generating a lot of interest among Nigerians was significant.
He explained that it also meant that the President’s speech was
broad and comprehensive with a lot of specifics on the
administration’s plans to improve infrastructure.
According to him, the President’s decision to include specific
timelines for most of the projects is an indication that he is
saying he should be held accountable.
He also commended the President for his renewed commitment to
dealing with our internal security challenges across the
nation.
Following pressure from various interest groups across Nigeria
for the APC to honour its campaign promise on restructuring, the
party set up the El-Rufai-led committee.
A statement issued by the party’s spokesman, announced the
party’s decision after a meeting of the National Working Committee
and the governors on the party’s platform.
The statement issued on July 20, 2017 partly read, “The All
Progressives Congress notes that with various agitations on
restructuring, the concept has assumed several disparate
meanings.
“In the light of this, at the fifth regular joint APC national
working committee (NWC)/APC governors meeting on 19th July, 2017 a
committee was set up to articulate the party’s notion on
restructuring.”
“It said the committee would be chaired by Nasir El-Rufai,
Governor of Kaduna State.
“Other members of the committee include Rauf Aregbesola,
Governor of Osun State; Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano;
Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau, Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of
Ogun and Oserheimen Osunbor, former governor of Edo State.
“Others are Osita Izunaso, national organising secretary; Bolaji
Abdullahi, Hajiya Fatima Balla as well as Olubunmi Adetunmbi
(secretary).”
Not much has been heard about the committee’s activities after
it engaged several segments of the Nigerian society to collate
views.
When our reporter contacted the Secretary of the Committee,
Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi, on the fate of the committee’s
assignment following the President’s remarks, he was not
forthcoming.
He said, “I am sorry, I cannot talk to you on the phone.” He
also did not respond to a request for an appointment for a face to
face meeting on the subject.
Culled: Punch
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives
Congress, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has dismissed claims that
President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected restructuring.
Abdullahi, who was reacting to the President’s January 1st
nationwide address on Monday, said there was nothing in the
President’s speech to suggest that he had foreclosed a debate on
the issue.
According to him, the President explained that our problem as a
nation was more of processes rather than structure.
The APC spokesmen said, “Quite significantly, he (the President)
also touched on the issue of restructuring; this is something he
has not really touched on in the past at all.
“What the President said is that ‘Look, I am not ruling out
restructuring’ but he also noted that the problem with us is not
really the system but the processes, that whatever form of
government or whatever structure or position we take regarding
restructuring depends on how well we manage it.
“Some people say he has rejected restructuring, no. But he is
saying that government welcomes all ideas on how to improve the
country, that is like saying come let’s have a conversation. We are
confident that we are going to see more developments (this
year).”
Abdullahi equally noted that there were so many things to take
away from the President’s speech because the fact that it was
generating a lot of interest among Nigerians was significant.
He explained that it also meant that the President’s speech was
broad and comprehensive with a lot of specifics on the
administration’s plans to improve infrastructure.
According to him, the President’s decision to include specific
timelines for most of the projects is an indication that he is
saying he should be held accountable.
He also commended the President for his renewed commitment to
dealing with our internal security challenges across the
nation.
Following pressure from various interest groups across Nigeria
for the APC to honour its campaign promise on restructuring, the
party set up the El-Rufai-led committee.
A statement issued by the party’s spokesman, announced the
party’s decision after a meeting of the National Working Committee
and the governors on the party’s platform.
The statement issued on July 20, 2017 partly read, “The All
Progressives Congress notes that with various agitations on
restructuring, the concept has assumed several disparate
meanings.
“In the light of this, at the fifth regular joint APC national
working committee (NWC)/APC governors meeting on 19th July, 2017 a
committee was set up to articulate the party’s notion on
restructuring.”
“It said the committee would be chaired by Nasir El-Rufai,
Governor of Kaduna State.
“Other members of the committee include Rauf Aregbesola,
Governor of Osun State; Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano;
Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau, Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of
Ogun and Oserheimen Osunbor, former governor of Edo State.
“Others are Osita Izunaso, national organising secretary; Bolaji
Abdullahi, Hajiya Fatima Balla as well as Olubunmi Adetunmbi
(secretary).”
Not much has been heard about the committee’s activities after
it engaged several segments of the Nigerian society to collate
views.
When our reporter contacted the Secretary of the Committee,
Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi, on the fate of the committee’s
assignment following the President’s remarks, he was not
forthcoming.
He said, “I am sorry, I cannot talk to you on the phone.” He
also did not respond to a request for an appointment for a face to
face meeting on the subject.
Culled: Punch
Read more https://nairalaw.com/buhari-didnt-reject-restructuring-says-apc/