Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on Wedneday, said there is nothing wrong with restructuring the country provided it is done within the context of one Nigeria. He stated this when the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Shehu Sani, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. Reacting to calls by some Nigerians to restructure the country, Gowon said there was nothing wrong with restructuring. He recalled that Nigeria was restructured under his leadership as the head of state with the creation of states in 1967. He said: “We can restructure within one Nigeria context. I did it in 1967; we created states to stop eastern Nigeria from seceding. We had to do something to ensure the fear of their seceding did not exist; a serious issue of a part of the country wanting to breakaway when we already lost a part to Cameroon. “If we had allowed the eastern region to go away, the map of Nigeria would have looked funny; it would have been tilted one way. So, we decided overnight to break the fear through the creation of states. If we had to save the country that was the only way to do it. We also ensured that no state was too big or too small to threaten the unity of the country’’. The former head of state added that the call for true federalism by some Nigerians was also not a bad idea, as long as it was done within the context of the nation’s unity. “What is true federalism? As long as it means respect for oneness of our country, it is alright, but if it means to breakaway, it is not my way of thinking’’, he said. Speaking further, Gowon said he became Head of State 31 years ago by accident of history without nursing the ambition. He said: “What happened was the accident of history. When you have lost your leadership and there was crisis and you don’t know what to do and it happened that those within your constituency chose you, what would you do? “I was lucky enough within the military at that time and all the officers knew me by reputation. “I had no intention to become head of state but it is the opportunity, if opportunity presents itself and people ask you to do it, then do it. What I have achieved is (because of) God. I had never thought of becoming head of state but there was a coup and all my senior colleagues were killed and I was the only one that survived. “My plan was to rise in my profession and hopefully become a head in my profession but that did not happen. I didn’t know what happened but I had the duty and responsibility to ensure the coup in Lagos did not succeed’’. The former head of state advised younger Nigerians to prepare themselves academically and morally to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Recall that former Vice President, Atku Abubakar, in June, called for a restructuring of the Nigerian federation to cater for the aspirations of its component units. According to him, such restructuring is the only answer to the cry of marginalization by different groups in the country as well as the agitation for a Biafra Republic. He said: “Agitations by many right thinking Nigerians call for a restructuring and renewal of our federation to make it less centralized, less suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of our country’s constituent units and localities. As some of you may know, I have for a long time advocated the need to restructure our federation. Our current structure and the practices have been a major impediment to the economic and political development of our country. “In short, it has not served Nigeria well, and at the risk of reproach it has not served my part of the country, the North, well. The call for restructuring is even more relevant today in light of the governance and economic challenges facing us. And the rising tide of agitations, some militant and violent, require a reset in our relationships as a united nation. “Some may say that we are saddled with more urgent challenges, including rebuilding our battered economy, creating jobs, fighting corruption and securing our people from terrorism and other forms of serious crimes. “I believe, however, that addressing the flaws in our federation will help us address some of those very economic and security challenges facing this country. Groups such as Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere and Ohanaeze, the apex socio-political association of the Igbo, also backed the call for restructuring. They called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to adopt true federalism. This, they said, would provide solutions to the country’s problems.
