…Puts Northern lawmakers on alert
The Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), has enjoined northern members of the National Assembly to be on the lookout for a Bill seeking to restructure the country.
Chairman of the ACF, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said this during a retreat organised by the Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives, in Niger State, on Monday.
The one-day retreat was organised by the Northern Caucus of the House of Representatives, themed: ‘Petroleum Industry Bill and the Future of Nigeria’.
Ogbeh, who spoke alongside other northern leaders, urged the legislators to take more than a passing interest in the Petroleum Industry Bill and the clamour for restructuring among other issues.
Speaking at the event, which was held at the Zuma Resort near Abuja, the ACF chairman faulted those calling for a return to the 1963 Constitution, which is also referred to as the Republican Constitution, noting that several items in it were also on the Exclusive-Legislative list.
Ogbeh warned the northern lawmakers to be diligent as many issues regarding the PIB and other issues that would have both positive and negative effects on the North would come before them.
The ACF chairman said that during their last meeting in Kaduna, they extended an invitation to Ohanaeze, Afenifere and the South-South in order to have a conversation on the subject.
According to him, the main problem facing the North was the lack of industrialisation and slow growth in education.
In his speech, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sultan Abubakar III, said tribal politicians were bent on tearing the fabric of the nation apart under different guises.
The monarch, who was represented by DanMadamin Sokoto, Faruk Ahmed, said he had no doubt in his mind that a retreat on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and other key national issues would sharpen the collective perspectives of the way forward.
On his part, the Secretary to the Federal Government, (SGF), Boss Mustapha said petroleum had been a major part of Nigeria’s history because it provided much of the needed resources for governance and other operations at all levels.
In his opening address, the Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, said it was time for them to take action.
