By Ochereome Nnanna
What happened at the Senate on Wednesday, 26th July
2017 infuriated those who have been clamouring for restructuring and true
federalism. But, it elated two other segments of the Nigerian society
which, funny enough, see each other as sworn enemies:
(a)
those who want to maintain the status quo,
(b)
the separatists.
Those who want to maintain the status quo got
what they wanted when the Senate voted 48 to 46 to throw out the proposal for
the devolution of powers to the states. It required 72 votes to alter the
constitution, subject to the verdict of Members of the House of
Representatives. The separatists also rejoiced because, having lost faith in
the possibility of restructuring and devolution of powers, they want complete
separation from Nigeria to establish their own sovereign republic where they
can swim or sink based on their abilities.
The separatists know that the failure of the
vote for restructuring and devolution of powers will vindicate their position.
It will win them more converts in the East and nudge more groups outside the
East to also seek self determination. I would have been surprised if the vote
had turned out differently. Just before that day when the Senate had to vote electronically
to avoid controversy as to where majority of their members stood, Arewa Youth
Forum, AYF) responded to the move towards restructuring by issuing death
threats.
