If we want a united Nigeria, we have to review the structure of the country - Governor Dickson.

Governor Seriake Dickson is one of those public officials who has reiterated his support for the calls - The governor berated the federal government for its posture on the calls for restructuring Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson, has reiterated his support for the restructuring of Nigeria.

The governor made the call recently during a chat with journalists in Yenagoa, the state capital, after a tour of some recent projects embarked by his government. Governor Dickson frowned at the attitude of the federal government towards those calling for restructuring, adding that those calling for the process are true lovers of Nigeria.

His words: “I am a politician of conviction. I have been part of the struggles of my people. Whereas I believe that this struggle should be pursued, through non-violent and political means, I believe these issues should be raised from time to time. “My views on restructuring are very well known. I believe that, if we want a balanced and stable and united Nigeria that will stand the test of time, we have no option than to review the structure of the country. 

“We have to build consensus, put our cards on the table, our fears as well as the complaints and then find a way around them. The attitude of the federal government and the president to the issue of restructuring is something I disagree with. I stand with my people. And, I am in politics not for myself, but for my people.” The governor opined that the only way for Nigeria to last is for its leaders to meet and discuss the country can be more stable, prosperous. He stated that those talking about restructuring are the true lovers of this country. He said: 

“There are those who feel they have advantages, they want to protect, so they want the status quo maintained. In that case, you are either talking of an individual that has interest or you are talking of regional interest or ethnic interest. You are not talking of the Nigerian interest. “Agitations are normal; so all this heck about agitations from the South-south, South-east, I do not understand. Every country is an artificial creation. Up till now, our colonial masters are still dealing with the issues of restructuring, devolution of powers to Scotland to Wales, to Northern Ireland. 

“Only last year, the Scottish had a referendum on whether they should be an independent nation or not. Heavens did not fall. Nigeria’s unity is desirable, but do not tell me it is not negotiable. We want to be in a big prosperous strong country. “But, we have to stop this issue of people agitating and dying and running away and creating unnecessary tension in the country. That is inimical to the growth of the Nigeria we love. 

“So, when we say restructuring in Bayelsa, in the Ijaw nation, in the Niger Delta, we mean that we sit with our brothers and sisters to discuss issues of how we control our resources, what kind of federation do we run? “This is a unitary state and that is why you have all these conflicts. We want to be in a truly federal Nigeria and so the federal government should discuss the modalities of organizing, not a talk shop, but I have said there should be a multi-party or a bi-partisan committee, made up of officials of the federal government, the National Assembly because, in the end, you are going to talk about constitutional review.

 “All these talk about true federalism will end in the National Assembly. So, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors, speakers representing the various state parliaments, the leadership of the major political parties and other selected interest groups will meet behind closed doors and agree on the issues we need to address now.”

 The governor however noted that the talks he proposes do not necessarily need to address all Nigeria's challenges, stressing that nation-building is work in progress. He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to rise to the occasion and unify the country the more, adding that the country is too divided and has been left to drift for too long. 

He lamented that the divisions are getting deeper by the day and it is not good for Nigeria. “Whether you look at the issues of resource control or not, crude oil is running out. It will get to a point in the life of this country when we will sit down and ask ourselves, how do we form this federation and the component units? This is why my position will always be to support a call for a restructured and fair Nigeria,” the governor concluded. Meanwhile, Governor Dickson was recently quoted to have said the chances of the PDP regaining power at the federal level in 2019 is not feasible.