The Advocacy for Integrity and Economic Development (AIED) has described the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to jettison the nationwide demand for restructuring in Nigeria as a retrogressive and callous act.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Adekoya Boladale, the organisation frowned at the stand of the President, calling it a myopic decision guided by sentiment and archaic reasoning.
Boladale wrote: “We read with shock the New Year’s address of President Buhari where he made an open disdain for the resounding clamour for proper restructuring of this country.
“It is important we draw the attention of the President to his promise on restructuring and power devolution while seeking for power in 2015.
“Initiating action to amend the Nigerian Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties, and responsibilities to states in order to entrench true Federalism and the Federal spirit.
“It was on the strength of this promise, alongside numerous others that Nigerians voted for President Buhari, it is therefore absurd that he can turn around and betray this solemn oath.
“Any progressive leader worth his salt will agree that while process is germane for productivity, process without a distinctive structure encourages redundancy.
“Beyond the goof on restructuring, the President’s address is a cacophony of deceptions, patronizing and a psychological blackmail.
“There is nothing worthy of celebration in power generation as the much touted megawatt is a far cry from the promised 20,000MW.
“Surprisingly, President Buhari did not have a single progress report to give on his flagship anti-corruption campaign having realized that his administration has not only inculcated graft but knighted same in the nucleus of every section of our nation’s life.
“As a matter of interest, when did President Buhari suddenly realize job provision is no longer the duty of the government? For a government that promised three million jobs per year and has created nothing but hyper unemployment and dysfunctional economy which has collapsed the Small, Medium and Large scale enterprises, this attempt to blame the citizens for its own inefficiency is ridiculous.
“The Buhari-led administration has failed in all ramification and an emergency attempt influenced by the desire for a second term will not clean the monumental mess this government has made.”