A trending news about a proposal for the restructuring of the country that will see the present 36 states increased to 42 among other envisaged changes is not only disturbing but saddening for the Okun people.
Though yet to be confirmed, erring on the side of caution makes the presentation of this stand imperative.
The proposal if true, is a confirmation of the less than important value that the so-called politicians, especially their leaders, put on the Okun people.
Okun agitation for a state appears ignored because its name is conspicuously absent in the list states in the proposed restructuring: an indication that our sidelined, marginalized and deprived situation is neither acknowledged nor recognised.
This purported new FG’s proposal aims at restricting the political life of Okun people to continuous servitude or at best, the hand tools of power grabbers whose interests are at variance with our hopes and aspirations as a people.
We are in democratic dispensation nobody can force us into any contraction we do not want to belong hence the need to start shouting now
As desirable as the need for restructuring of governance institutions, powers and administration is, it must be actualized through a transparent constitutional process devoid of manipulation.
The non violent political life of the Okun people should not be misconstrued to mean we will not object to political sidelining or even speak out when ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The serial and continuous abuse of our collective aspirations to decide on a fundamental issue as the State we wish to belong is no longer acceptable.
This proposed restructuring is to us unacceptable because it is obnoxious and insensitive to our plight as a people.
The Federal Government is urged to toe the path of reason by holistically looking at the issue of restructuring. This situation where a few parochial individuals will take major decisions on our behalf without any input from Okun people is tantamount to shaving a man’s head in his absence.