Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has called for the immediate restructuring of the country as a way of bringing lasting peace and unity to the country and also to end the current agitations for the independent nations of Biafra and Oduduwa. This was just as he expressed worries at the level of insecurity in the country occasioned by incessant killings, kidnappings and destruction of means of human survival across the country. Chief Anyaoku also called on the government at all levels to deploy more security architecture to checkmate the incessant destruction, kidnapping and killing of Nigerians on a daily basis across the country. ‌ Anyaoku spoke on Thursday at the 10th edition of Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance with the theme: “Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria,” which took place at Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, the Anambra State capital. According to the elder statesman, restructuring of the country remained the only solution to crisis in the country. “Since I returned to Nigeria in 2002, I have been advocating restructuring of the country which I know remains the only tool to control the multiethnic groups in the country. “What I read on our national dailies every day about the present security situation in Nigeria makes me at my age of 88 years feel depressed even at night. I no longer sleep with my two eyes closed,” Anyaoku said. He urged other well-to-do individuals in the country to help to establish cottage industries at rural areas to curbed youth restiveness. The event was presided over by the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke.

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi state, says he is in talks with stakeholders over calls for him to run for the presidency in 2023. The governor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disclosed this on Thursday when he received a group of northern youth leaders in Bauchi. According to him, the youth leaders had endorsed him to run for the highest office in the country, but he is yet to make a decision. “Today, I received the Northern Youth Leaders Forum who paid me a solidarity visit at the Government House annex, Bauchi,” he said in a statement. “I appreciated the forum for all they have so far sacrificed in my favour. Their endorsement is an indication that Nigerian youths are ready to contribute to national development. “My gratitude also goes to the forum for finding me worthy of contesting for the Nigerian presidency in 2023. “I assured the group that I am still talking with critical stakeholders to seek their feedback and support, and I will revert in due course.” The governor had come under criticism recently, when he said herders carry weapons because they need to protect themselves. Responding to the Bauchi governor’s comment, Rotimi Akeredolu, his Ondo counterpart, had said Mohammed was unfit for public office. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the presidential election will hold in February 2023.