Former president Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerians to solve nepotism, ethnic and religious differences before talking about restructuring the nation.
Mr Jonathan gave the advice today at the 18th Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja, the country’s capital.
Before losing his re-election bid, Jonathan had convened a national conference with plans to implement its recommendations when re-elected.
He lost to incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari and handed over the documents to him but his successor who has been re-elected dumped it at the trash barrel.
There have been repeated calls for restructuring especially from two major socio-cultural groups in the country; Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
When it sought power, TODAY POLITICS recalled that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had promised to restructure the nation and set up a committee headed by Nasir El-rufai, governor of Kaduna State.
Mr El-rufai has submitted the recommendations of his committee which is yet to be given attention as at press time.
“We cannot restructure without solving issues that polarize us; nepotism, ethnic and religious differences and lack of patriotism,” Mr Jonathan said.
“It was a great decision to save the country from disintegration after coming out of the civil war.
“Like every other nation, Nigeria is a project in progress and should confidently discuss her experiences and fashion out solutions to improve on her performance and the well being of all citizens. We should all do our little best in our little corners to overcome the challenges we face, and work hard to reposition our country for a greater and more prosperous tomorrow for our children.
“This cannot be achieved without deliberate effort to promote national unity and love of country by all our leaders and citizens. We owe ourselves and the coming generations a duty to reduce the bile and embrace one another so that restructuring for a better and greater Nigeria can be meaningful and guarantee the nation’s economic development and citizen’s welfare,” he added.
