A former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, spoke on critical national issues on Saturday, warning that regionalism was no longer a viable option for Nigeria.
George also suggested that the immunity clause for elected office holders should be expunged from the Nigerian Constitution.
The PDP stalwart addressed political correspondents in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the debate on regionalism and removal of the immunity clause had continued to generate heated arguments at the on-going National Conference.
George, who is a member of the Committee on Politics and Governance at the conference, argued that “statetism’’ had come to stay in Nigeria.
“We tried the analysis at the confab and 33 out of the 36 states representatives said no.
“If states that think they are not very viable to stay alone are so concerned about survival, then let them merge via referendum of their people.
“The idea of regionalism was muted by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo to recognise minorities on both sides of the divide.
“I do not see many states agreeing to be ruled again by one premier. It cannot work.”
He said there was need for economic cooperation among all the federating states which, he said, would make more sense.
According to him, Nigeria is better off with a presidential system of government, based on the principle of zoning.