- Lai Mohammed said the process of restructuring Nigeria has started
- The minster played down the reported issue between Ibrahim Magu and Abubakar Malami
- He said the government has drawn a red line against hate speech
Lai Mohammed who is the minister of information has said the Muhammadu Buhari administration has started the process of restructuring Nigeria based on recommendation from Nigerians.
The minister who spoke on Channels TV said the government has drawn a red line against hate speech and will not tolerate it any longer.
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Mohammed said: “For the Federal Government restructuring means devolution of power. Restructuring means for the Federal Government a system whereby government’s policies and programmes can reach everybody at the grassroots. For us, restructuring means ability that will allow you to deliver and in our own way, we have started.
“The Acting President (then) issued an order to the police that they should start implementing community policing; that is one aspect of restructuring that we believe will deliver better criminal justice. We as a government we look at our constitution as it is today and we follow strictly what the constitution says, and in applying the constitution we look at practical ways of reaching out to people.
“The constitution is the grundnorm today, that is the basis of our being together and you cannot today as a government do anything that is contrary to that Constitution because that is the supreme law of the country. So, even when you talk about restructuring you may need to amend certain provisions of the constitution, and we all know how cumbersome it is to do that. But we are not averse to genuine grievances, we are ready to look at them, but what the government cannot do is to react to the cacophony of voices.”
The minister also responded to question concerning the alleged face-off between Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Abubakar Malami, the minister of justice.
He said: “People may have different ideas, but this is not unusual, and I can assure you, the matter will soon be brought under control.
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“I think you are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. There is nothing unusual for two agencies of the same government to have different means on how to achieve the goal. But it is a matter that will be resolved and will be resolved.
"Asked whether President Buhari was aware of the issue, the minister said: “Yes, he is. He is the employer of the two of them. The president would look into the matter and of course, pronounce on the issue. The EFCC chairman why would he take the position that he is taking, the AGF why would he take the line he is taking?”
Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, explained why he is opposed to those who are advocating for the restructuring of the country.
Obasanjo, who made this in an interview with Channels Television said Nigerians should rather advocate for a better management of the country’s resources.
NAIJ.com gathered that he said instead of fighting for restructuring, people should be concerned about inclusiveness and the restructuring of their minds.
Watch a NAIJ.com TV video below of Nigerians talking about the issue of restructuring:
ROSY CREST
Wednesday, 30 August 2017