Restructuring Not About Breaking Up Nigeria – Akume

Secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and former governor of Benue State, George Akume, has said the clamour for restructuring Nigeria is not about breaking up the country.
He also said that the reforms embarked upon by President Bola Tinubu are targeted at restructuring the country.

Akume, who said restructuring is a strategic imperative for sustainable development and unity, added that it is beyond a political demand.

He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of a book entitled, “Restructuring Nigeria: The Way Forward,” written by former Governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia.
Akume underscored that restructuring the country must be done with a sense of patriotism, dialogue, peace and the pursuit of unity, not a divisive weapon.
Represented by one of his aides, Prof. Bolaji Babatunde Bernard, the SGF said “Restructuring is not about breaking up Nigeria; it is about strengthening the federation by devolving responsibilities, empowering subnational governments, and creating a governance structure that brings power closer to the people.
“Indeed, many of the reforms already being implemented by this administration point clearly in that direction. The removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market are bold fiscal steps aimed at empowering states through improved revenue allocation and stronger economic governance.
“The ongoing tax reforms are designed to broaden the fiscal space and ensure that federating units can generate and retain more resources to serve their people.”
He further said: “Equally significant are the ongoing conversations on the establishment of state police, which would deepen security at the grassroots, and the push for greater digital and infrastructure investments that enable states to become engines of growth in their own right. These are not isolated policy choices — they reflect a deliberate move toward a more balanced, efficient, and responsive federation.”
Emphasizing the best way to go about the restructuring, Akume said, “as we engage with restructuring, we must do so with a spirit of patriotism, dialogue, and peace. It is always better to live in peace with each other as a family than be at war with one another. Our strength as a nation lies not in uniformity but in unity — in harnessing our diversity for collective progress. Restructuring must therefore be pursued as a unifying force, not a divisive weapon.”
He, however, said the book is more than a literary contribution but a bold and timely intervention in one of the most crucial conversations on how to build a more just, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria.
He acknowledged Omehia’s courage, intellect, and commitment in writing the book, stressing that it is a valuable contribution to the ongoing national dialogue and will enrich policy thinking, legislative reforms, and public understanding of this critical issue.

In his welcome address, the author, Omehia, charged Nigerians to be unsentimental about the need to restructure the country, adding that it provides an opportunity of bringing all well meaning Nigerians together for a national discussion on one important issue that has been postponed for several times.

The former governor said: “Let me make it clear that the event today is not just for the public presentation of my book. It is also for knowledge exposition and sharing for the common interest of Nigeria.

“lt is an opportunity of bringing all well meaning Nigerians together for a national discussion on one important issue that has been postponed for several times. That is restructuring Nigeria.

“This book proposes the way forward for this needed dialogue. Let us not be too sentimental about the need to restructure Nigeria. In every establishment or any system of government, whether the system is succeeding or not, there is every need to improve on the success or failure of that system. This move to improve upon the success or failure of the system is what is needed today to restructure our system of governance.
“American Constitution has been restructured several times to accommodate the general interest of Americans. In fact, history has it that it has been amended for 27 times even when it was working well for the good of Americans.

“On the same stretch, the British system of government has been restructured several tỉmes before it is what it is. For instance the monarchical constitution has been retained by the British system of government because it is working for them. Nigeria can do the same to improve on our governmental system for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

In attendance are: Former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, Austin Opara, former Rivers state governor, Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Victor Attah, Ben Obi, Adamu Maina Waziri, Mike Omeri, Ugochukwu Taiwo Okeke (unveiler of the book), Mike Ozekomhe, former Cross River state, Liyel Imoke, among others.