Makarfi advocates institutional restructuring to make agencies answerable to Nigerians

Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, former caretaker Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday called for the restructuring of Federal Government agencies to make them accountable to Nigerians.

Makarfi made the call while on a visit to Kogi Secretariat of the PDP in Lokoja in continuation of his nationwide tour to garner support for his presidential ambition.

He said that the agitations for restructuring so far had been about sharing of resources while the most important, institutional restructuring, was never thought of.

He explained that institutions and agencies such as the Judiciary, the Police, INEC, EFCC, ICPC ought to be restructured and made strong enough to make every public office holder accountable for his or her actions or inactions while in Office.

The former Kaduna State Governor said that the agencies would remain useful tools in the hand of government to fight against perceived enemies and opposition if they were not restructured, thereby, enacting the similitude of a “Banana Republic”.

Makarfi, who described himself as a team player, warned the PDP hierarchy to be careful in accepting and accommodating defectors into the PDP fold in order not to jeopardise the ideology and interest of the party.

He said those who left the party when things were rough and were now returning probably because they could not realise their ambitions where they went, should not be trusted with too much responsibility in the party.

“We must be careful whom we admit back into the party so as not to repeat the mistake of the past.”

On his ambition and what qualified him to be the next President, Makarfi said hunger had lingered for too long in the land while health facilities remained in poor condition and insecurity the order of the day.

He said that he had experience in conflict resolution and had proved his mettle in steering the party when it was engulfed in crisis soon after losing the last presidential election.

“I think I will do well as the president, if given the chance. Our country needs equity and fairness and I can guarantee that.”

Also speaking, Dr Sam Uhuotu, the state PDP Chairman, said that Makarfi had proved his worth in the way he handled the party crisis as caretaker chairman, saying;”He was able to rescue the Party from somebody who sold it out.”