Nigerians should be cautious over calls for restructuring —Babalola

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9 years ago

From right, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; acting Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Anthony Elujoba and Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, during the one year celebration of the demise of Oba Sijuwade. PHOTOS: D’ TOYIN

Against the backdrop of divergent views over the calls for the restructuring of the country, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), in Osun state, Elder Peter Adebayo Babalola, on Sunday urged Nigerians to be cautious in handling the persistent agitation for the restructuring of the country by some ethnic nationalities and individuals.

He expressed fear that any idea of restructuring that will lead to disintegration of the country would not at the long run benefit groups and individuals that are calling for such move.

Speaking during a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, Babalola the APC threw his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s position that what the country needs is development and not restructuring.

He contended that with the present disciplined leadership, Nigeria is on the path to fulfilling her potentials, just as he described those pushing for restructuring as the only way out of the crisis in the Niger Delta Region as “first suspects in the overt moves to sabotage economy of the country by the militants”.

According to Babalola “with my experience in the maritime sector and my understanding of politics behind call for restructuring of the country, I safely conclude that what the country needs most at the moment is leadership and that has been given to it”.

“Having got that, all we need to do now is to cooperate with the man in the saddle, President Buhari, regardless our party affiliations, background or religion. This is key because, if Buhari succeeds, Nigeria is the major beneficiary. Should the contrary happen, major casualties will be Nigeria and her people”, the statement added.

While commenting on governance in Osun State, Babalola implored all people of goodwill to pray for the success of Governor Rauf Aregbesola for him to be able to implement all his programmes before exiting office.

“He is the symbol of our party. All I am interested in is to see him successfully implementing all his programmes. The administration is on the right path and we hope to keep up the pace of development for the benefit of Osun people”.