The Arewa Consultative Forum has called on the National Assembly members from the North to take a critical look at the bill seeking to restructure the country.
It also urged them to properly scrutinise the Petroleum Industry Bill before them so as to avert mistakes that may hurt the interest of the region.
Speaking during a retreat organised by the Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives, in Niger State, the Chairman of the Forum, Chief Audu Ogbeh said, “A lot has been said about the Petroleum Industry Bill but I will not duel on that. There is something that will come before you (lawmakers) very soon.
“The last time Mr President Muhammadu Buhari met with a delegation from the South-South, he made a statement; he said that if a bill is presented before the National Assembly on the question of restructuring and the Assembly passes it, he will have no objection than to sign it. It then means that the matter may not be too far away.
“At our last (ACF) meeting in Kaduna, we extended an invitation to Ohanaeze, Afenifere and the South-South Peoples’ Congress, that we wanted to engage them and have a conversation on the subject.
“We believe that there is no reason for undue warfare and that we all need to have a conversation across tables to solve the problem.
“However, I will like you, as legislators, to take note of this. Many of the people who are clamouring for restructuring are referring to the 1963 Constitution. Somehow, they believe that the Constitution gives to every part of Nigeria whatever resource they have.
“We are trying to get copies to send to all of you legislators to see: Item 25, Part 1 of Section 69 of the First Schedule says that mines, minerals, including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas are on the Exclusive List.
“The 1963 Constitution, an exact copy of the 1960 Constitution and a copy of the 1999 Constitution, which has now been made to look as if it was written by the government itself; take out these constitutions and read them well.
“We will meet, discuss and something will be presented to you. It will be up to you to make it work after which, Mr. President will be ready to sign it.”
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar urged Nigerians to resist tendencies that would undermine the country’s unity.
He said, “As patriotic and peace-loving Nigerians, we should not fold our arms and watch them destroy our unity. I, therefore, urge you, as grassroots politicians, to continue to support government efforts in restoring peace and stability across the country as no nation can prosper under chaos.
“All Nigerians must enjoy equal freedom and equal rights to live peacefully and pursue their legitimate businesses in any part of the country they so choose, be it in the market or in the forest.
“We must reject all ill-conceived schemes that are divisive; schemes that are setting Nigerians against fellow Nigerians. We must abhor laws that are capable of causing inter-tribal or inter-regional disharmony. All men are created equal and the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct.”
