Anyaoku, Nwabueze, Adebanjo, others raise ‘restructuring movement’

By Chinelo Obogo

Some eminent elder statesmen have begun wide consultations on how best the country could be restructured to ease the growing ethnic tensions and bring the country out of recession.

The Nigerian Consensus Group made up of elder statesmen from various geo-political zones and led by constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze had a closed-door meeting in Lagos, yesterday, to ‘push for an agenda that will ease the growing ethnic tensions and map out the best way the country can be restructured.’

Some of those who attended the meeting were former Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku, former governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd), Chief Ayo Adebanjo, former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah, Dapo Sarunmi and others.

After the meeting, the spokesman, Wale Okuniyi, stated the group was unhappy with the direction the country was headed economically and also concerned that ethnic tensions had reached a stage where if not handled properly, could lead to serious crisis.

He said that though no consensus was reached at the meeting on the steps to be taken to achieve success, the group had begun a ‘Project Nigeria Movement’ that would also tackle issues like menace of Fulani herdsmen, economic recession, Biafra agitation and the recent quit notice given by Arewa youths to Igbos living in the North.

“It is in the light of the recent agitation and ethnic tensions that Nigerian Consensus Group has been holding series of consultations to ensure national stability and prosperity,” he said.

“Eminent leaders across the country have been meeting to find solutions to these issues and come to an agreement on the steps to be taken. This particular meeting was so serious that we could not conclude on the necessary steps to take, so consultations are ongoing.”