Poll shows divided opinions on restructuring, federalism

A recent poll shows that Nigerians are sharply divided on whether the country should be restructured or its leaders should embrace true federalism.The poll, conducted by The Guardian on its Twitter page and website, came days after Vice president Yemi Osinbajo and People’s Democratic Party’s presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar publicly disagreed over the matter.

“When we talk about restructuring, we are not talking about just constitutional tweaks. We are talking about a cultural revolution… it is required to establish, nurture and sustain a strong and effective democratic government,” Abubakar said in an op-ed.

In his response to the former vice president, Osinbajo noted that “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring…I have been an advocate, both in court and outside, of fiscal federalism and stronger state governments.”

The poll indicated the leaders are not the only ones that are divided on whether Nigeria needs a restructuring or should embrace fiscal federalism.The poll captured a total number of 6,412 voters from Twitter and the website – 5461 voters and 951 voters respectively. 38% of the social media voters welcomed Atiku’s restructuring advocacy while 43% of same category said Osinbajo is right, with 19% antagonizing the duo.

However, the respondent to the poll on the Guardian website held a different position. 48% of the voters believed Atiku’s restructuring is valid while 41% said the number 2 citizen’s advocacy for federalism is right while 11% said neither of them means well for Nigeria.

Cumulatively, 43% of total voters held firm to Atiku’s views for cultural revolution which according to him it is required to establish, nurture and sustain a strong and effective democratic government. Whereas, 42% of total voters held the same view with Osinbajo’s true federalism, which according to him is the problem with our country and not restructuring.15% of the respondents maintained that the duo were only grandstanding and did not mean well for the country.