Restructuring debate confusing —Osinbajo

COMING under criticism for seemingly dismissing the growing calls for the restructuring of the country, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has clarified his comments, stressing the need for a deeper understanding of the issues which he observed were, at the moment, confusing.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement issued on behalf of Vice-President Osinbajo, on Tuesday, said clarification was necessary because of media reports which suggested that the vice-president was against restructuring of the country.

The statement stressed Osinbajo’s support for the creation of state police in the country as articulated in the road map of All Progressives Congress (APC) for a New Nigeria.

It observed that there had been different interpretations, meanings and purposes attached to the restructuring debate.

“It was important Nigerians understand that the issue of restructuring should run deeper than some of the superficial and surface value focus.

“Some of the issues involved include notions or views calling for a return to regionalism, fiscal federalism, devolution of power and state police, among others.

“Different interests are taking different approaches and, at times, this confuses the debate and reduces it to mere political rhetorics.

“Restructuring debate should do deeper than what we see on newspaper headlines and we need to understand all the angles to it.

“It is important we understand which part we are talking about at any given time,” the statement read.