For the past couple of years and especially for the past few months, the debate on whether Nigeria needs restructuring and the exact manner that restructuring should take has been steadily growing. It can be said that this is the biggest political debate in the country today especially in the light of agitations for secessions by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

However, before we all hop on the restructuring bandwagon, it is important that we examine the genuineness of those calling for it, especially those who in the past have had opportunities to use their offices to lead the restructuring but opted to maintain the status quo.

For example, one of the biggest voices in support of restructuring along the lines of true federalism, Atiku Abubakar was Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007 and was a presidential aspirant in every election from 2007. Yet, it was not until 2014 when he was in the running for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) that he started championing this cause.

One would have expected that while in office and especially as arguably the most influential Vice-President Nigeria has had in the Fourth Republic so far, Abubakar would have attempted to make this a central debate and advocate for constitutional reforms to make his dream achievable.

It is the same with former military president, Ibrahim Babangida who recently threw his weight behind restructuring, but yet, did not do anything to reduce the power at the centre in his eight years as Head of State between 1985 and 1993. As a matter of fact, Babangida’s reign further concentrated powers when he made it mandatory for military governors to implement policies handed down by the Federal Government irrespective of the peculiarities of each state.

It is quite ironic that some of the biggest voices in favour of restructuring and advocating for it as a silver bullet to solve all our problems are largely responsible for the morass Nigeria currently is. Talk about the problem-creator suddenly becoming the saviour.

It is increasingly looking that supporting restructuring is a way to win the hearts and minds of certain regions of Nigeria, especially as the 2019 elections approach and politicians are laying the groundwork for their ambitions.

This is also in the light of the fact that those agitating for restructuring are unable to agree the exact form the restructuring will take, and how the benefits of it are still quite unclear. It is increasingly looking that this is a charade akin to looking for fool’s gold or chasing shadows.

It will definitely be better on the problems that everyone can agree are the reason Nigeria is living below its potentials: good leadership and corruption. If these two are gotten, there will be enough created for everyone in Nigeria that these agitations in various parts of Nigeria will not exist and there will be no talk of restructuring.

It is important that Nigerians do not let these politicians pull the wool over our eyes.