Former Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof Usman Yusuf has castigated those agitating for the creation of Yoruba and Igbo (Biafra) nations out of Nigeria.
He called for the devolution of more powers to the constituent units, saying that greater responsibility must fall to the local governments to improve security and other aspects of national life.
This is just as he berated proponents of restructuring, describing them as “irresponsible politicians that are overheating the system”.
“There is too much power in the hands of the president; too much power in the hands of governors is not good. It needs to be devolved down.
“It has to be done in a very civil way through the constitution. Nobody gets to the presidency through threats, through blackmail, through arson or through violence. You get to the presidency through the ballot box in a democracy.
“This shout about Yoruba nation, Biafra, this and that is nonsense and that is why I said responsible people should step in and our children should be taught History in schools.
“They don’t know History, they know about Ronaldo, Messi, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello. If you do not teach your children History, they are likely to repeat the mistake of the past.”
He said that many of those calling for secession or restructuring were doing so because they lost out in the scheme for power.
The professor of medicine advised Nigerians not to allow the “selfish politicians…break up this country or cause mayhem”.
“They will all run away with their private jets and leave people bleeding all over the place,” the Fulani activist stated.
Yusuf noted that it was wrong of anyone to think that the north is against restructuring, warning those slamming President Muhammadu Buhari for not restructuring the country to approach the National Assembly instead.
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He also advised Nigerians from all walks of life to show more interest in how their nation is governed.
“Politics involves every aspect of our lives, from the teacher, from the security man, from the pharmacist, from the journalists; everybody must be involved to protect our democracy.
“We should not leave it in the hands of these politicians, which is why I’m speaking up essentially. Everybody should be into politics because our democracy is fragile and we should not allow these people to break this country up for their own selfish interest. All these people talking about break up of this country, how long have they lived in this country? That is my idea of engagement; everybody has to be involved in this…”
Yusuf added, “You hear people talking about restructuring when it is close to election and in their heart of hearts they are not talking of restructuring or rotation for the good of anybody but themselves.
“Nobody should have the impression that the North is against restructuring. Dr. Ahmed Joda of Northern Elders Forum has said it clearly that it is wrong impression of people to say that the North is against restructuring.”
He noted that Nigeria has been restructure several times, starting from the creation of three regions – North, West and East – before the addition of another – Mid-West.
“Then, 12 states were created and from there to 19 states and now we are 36. This is restructuring and we are not still happy.
“People are even saying that we want to go back to where we were. All serious nations are looking forward, selfish people are asking us to go back 60 years, to do what?
“Former President Jonathan said it that restructuring won’t solve our problems. Desperate politicians just want to consolidate power.
“Example, if we restructure back to old regions, all these governors who are enjoying the spoils of power will never give up for one person. It is not going to happen.”