Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, says restructuring is key to stabilising the country and strengthening its democracy.
Speaking on Thursday at a Democracy Day national dialogue in Ikeja, Lagos, Utomi said Nigeria’s current federal structure and the “unworkable 1999 constitution” pose a major challenge to democracy.
There have been calls for restructuring the country’s governance, political, and economic milieu.
Utomi said the restructuring should be done before the 2027 general election.
“The agitation for total restructuring will stabilise and advance democracy in the country,” he said.
“This is because the present democracy is not the type of democracy chief Abiola sacrificed his life for.”
Utomi said restructuring has become imperative for national unity.
He added that President Bola Tinubu would earn the electorate’s trust by heeding the calls for restructuring from regional groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze, and others.
Utomi urged Nigerians to fiercely protect democracy and remain vigilant against anti-democratic actors.
On May 5, Utomi announced the formation of a shadow government.
The initiative, launched virtually under the banner of the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government, aims to serve as a “credible opposition” to the Tinubu administration.
Subsequently, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a suit against Utomi at the federal high court in Abuja, praying the court to declare the shadow government “unconstitutional”.
The secret police also urged the court to restrain Utomi from further making public comments or staging rallies to promote his shadow cabinet.
Consequently, Utomi expressed frustration with the authorities’ actions, saying he may consider leaving the country over efforts to suppress his voice.
“I’m getting fed up with all of this. If they are ready to shut my voice, I am ready to go to Ghana or anywhere else and live peacefully,” he said.
The professor said Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and other lawyers have filed a defence to the DSS suit on his behalf.