Date: 2017-12-17

The Emir of Okuta in the Baruten Local Government of Kwara State, Alhaji Idris Sero Abubakar, has condemned the call for restructuring of the country describing it as a move to achieve selfish interest by some section of the nation.

Abubakar who spoke with journalists at the weekend during the 2017 annual Gaani cultural festival of the community stressed the need for government to assign responsibilities for traditional rulers in the nation's constitution.

He said: "The people of the southern part of the country that are calling for restructuring are being mischievous. They have gotten more than enough the wealth of the nation. You can see many things that the federal government has being doing for them as a result environmental issues confronting them.

"What government needs to do is to revisit the previous reports that emanated from the many constitutional conference that have been held in the past. We should embark on projects that will further divide us because much time has been wasted on improving the economic woes facing the nation."

According to the Emir, "Nigeria will continue to experience failure in the implementation process of some of its policies until traditional institution is reposition to its rightful position. As you can see that traditional rulers are the closest to the grassroot and among all, we are the chief custodian of the culture heritages of our people.

"Government officials or let us say politicians have tenure to stay in office but traditional rulers would on the throne for as many years as God wills. Which means we are being preserve for particular functions for our people and such must not be undermined because of the peculiarity of leadership which cannot be found anywhere among the entire arms of government."

The Emir who is also the chairman of Baruten Traditional Council further stated that for Nigeria to return to her golden era, "There is urgent need for government at all levels to revisit the essential roles played during the pre-colonial era in order to curb the numerous menace bedeviling the nation."

He also urged Nigerians to always support government's actions and advocacy for a indivisible and united nation in order to strengthen the process of policy implementation and smooth running of government.