The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s stand on restructuring.
The Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, said the position of the President that the issue is not more important than the process of governance, is contrary to the general public opinion.
Buhari had in his New Year broadcast stated that his “firm view is that our problems are more to do with process than structures.”
But Bishop Kaigama explained that most of those clamouring for restructuring are not calling for the separation of the country, adding that the debate on restructuring must be sustained.
He said: “If having restructuring means to re-examine how things are done in the country in terms of allocation of resources, appointments in national offices, appointments that should be spread not just limited to a particular zone, if restructuring means justice, then we should all go for it.
“If restructuring means spending less on governance, then there is every need to re-examine the structures. If restructuring means reducing drastically the cost of governance, then there is no option than to embrace restructuring if we really meant well for Nigeria.”
The cleric further advised the Federal government to be open to divergent opinions on the restructuring debate as long as the unity of Nigeria is not put at risk.