As the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagged off public consultation on Nigeria’s restructuring, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, hosted the Party’s Panel on True Federalism on Monday, in Benin City, Edo State.

Welcoming the members of the Party’s team One, in charge of the South-South Geopolitical Zone, Obaseki assured the delegates that their submissions would be considered duely.

This team was made up of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Some of the delegates drawn from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa State submitted that there should be a return to the regional structure of Government.

Mr Daniel Usifo, a representative of Ika Ethnic Nationality, said that Ika social group wanted to go back to the regional system, recommending the creation of four new regions – four in the north and four in the south.

He also called for the adoption of the Parliamentary system of Government, saying that the Presidential system was too cumbersome and expensive to run.

Dr Frank Nwugo, a Legal Practitioner from Delta State, suggested that the National Assembly should adopt part-time Legislators.

The Host Governor, Obaseki said that APC organised the public hearing to know the views of the public towards the restructuring of the country, and he encouraged the delegates to feel free to air their views.

Senator Amosun, representing the Chairman of the Team, Governor Ganduje, explained that the public hearing was organised to allow Nigerians to speak their minds about the restructuring of the Nation. He said that the voices of the citizens would be adhered to.

Also speaking, Governor Aregbesola said that the only way to true federalism was to hear from youths, women and other important stakeholders.

In attendance were representatives of Civil Society Organisations, Youth and Women Organisations, the Academia and Traditional Institutions and religious groups from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States, which represent Team One of the APC Restructuring Team.

The Forum covered issues such as Local Government autonomy, resources allocation, revenue allocation, independent candidacy, type of legislation, power sharing, fiscal federalism, among others.