Nigeria is free to restructure, but… —Makarfi

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  National Caretaker Committee, NCC, has lent its voice to calls for the restructuring of the country by some eminent Nigerians and groups.
Chairman of the committee and former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who spoke at a briefing in Abuja, yesterday, urged Nigerians to work assiduously towards making the federation a more perfect union, adding there was nothing wrong in looking at the structure of the union.
Makarfi said such restructuring should, however, take into consideration national interests rather than satisfying the yearnings of a few.
He said: “We, however, observe that restructuring could mean a different thing to different people. It is, therefore, important that we consider the framework within which we can even discuss and be on the same page as to what kind of restructuring we mean or desire; and if nationally accepted, agree on the framework for its implementation.
Makarfi demanded loyalty from the armed forces to the Nigerian people, even as he decried their obedience to highly-placed public officers at the expense of the citizens, adding that this statusquo must change in sync with what obtained in developed world.
Makarfi
PDP supports agitation
Makarfi also said the party would support agitation aimed at making Nigeria a better country, adding that agitation must not lead to the encroachment of the rights of the people.
He said:  “The PDP has no problem with agitations; in fact, we respect them and regard them as vehicles through which all segments vent their legitimate feelings but we want to urge all of our people that in trying to draw attention to their yearnings and aspirations, respect for  one another and the realization that our rights do not include  encroachment into, and infringement on the legitimate rights and dignity of others, should guide our conduct.”
On insurgency in the North-East
In its assessment of the Boko Haram violent campaign in the North-East, the party lauded men and officers of the armed forces for their loyalty, courage and gallantry, urging government to continue to avail them the necessary support to defeat the terrorists.
The party also charged the Buhari administration to come up with hard-nosed policies capable of restoring victims of the insurgency into life of normalcy.
Resolving the herdsmen/farmers’ clashes
Makarfi also tasked the Buhari government to immediately come up with measures capable of stemming the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers, adding that both remained important to the nation’s economic well being.
He said: “Taking into account the fact that both crop farming and animal rearing are important agricultural activities that have a very important, bearing on our nation’s economic fortunes, and also the fact that both sides have constitutionally guaranteed rights to existence, it behoves on all governments to come up with measures that will once-and-for-all address the issue.
Ending the spate of kidnappings
On the spate of kidnappings in different parts of the country, Makarfi commended security operatives for rising to the challenge, noting that the recent arrest of a kidnap kingpin, Evans, gladdened the heart of Nigerians.
He urged government to do more for the security agencies in the area of funding and equipment.
‘’We though wish to commend the security agencies for the bursting last week, of a criminal gang of kidnappers which had brought untold hardship and anguish to several Nigerian families. It is our hope that this feat is just the start of series of efforts to not only bring this criminal  enterprise to an end but also bring the perpetrators to justice.
‘’We urge  the security agencies and the judiciary to ensure that these criminals face the full wrath of the law,’’ Makarfi said.