President Buhari |
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) and People’s Action for Democracy (PAD), today, renewed the call for restructuring of the country “to end insecurity and other socio-economic ills plaguing the country’’.
The two groups made the call at the 14th memorial rally of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti in Lagos.
The theme of the event was: “Fulfill Promises on Good Governance: Lapses and Gaps”.
Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said that the persistent calls for restructuring had remained, due to the failure of government to ensure security of lives and property as well as a worrisome socio-economic inequality in the country.
Adeniran noted that the development had resulted to numerous violent outbursts, banditry, kidnappings, assassinations and terror.
“What we really need to restructure is the fundamental template of our socio-economic relations.
“One per cent cannot be in control of 99 per cent of our socio-economic resources and we expect that there will not be mere grave yard peace.
“We have to restructure the wealth of Nigeria to banish poverty and for the betterment of all.”
He described Beko as a foremost pro-democracy activist and revolutionary, who dared people in power for the emancipation of the oppressed.
According to him, Beko Ransome-Kuti’s contributions to the ousting of military rule, the enthronement and deepening of democracy have remained epochal.
“Ransome-Kuti and other patriots fought for democratic political rights of Nigerians as encapsulated in chapter four of the Constitution of Nigeria.
“If he were to be alive today, he would be in the frontline of agitations to ensure that chapter two of the constitution on socio-economic rights is accessible to all Nigerians.”
The activist said that beyond elections, Nigerians should revive the struggle for socio-political emancipation because the current scenario would ensure penury if not overhauled.
He urged government to bridge the gap between the poor and the super-rich to address economic inequalities and social injustice that continually defined our existence as Nigerians.
The rally was organised by the Beko Rights Klub in collaboration with the Child Help in Legal Defence of Right to Education in Nigeria Project, CACOL and PAD.
Beko Ransome-Kuti, who was a human rights crusader and a former chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association died on Feb. 10, 2006. (NAN)
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