Leaders of the South-South and South-East geo-political zones, Thursday, called for the restructuring of Nigeria, saying that there is impending disaster.

According to them, the situation where some people were reduced to second class citizens was not good for the image of the country.

The leaders met at the Apapa, Lagos residence of elder statesman and Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

The South-East team was led by the President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo.

Speaking on the need to restructure Nigeria, Clark said, “we are light years away from the kind of country our founding fathers bequeathed to us.

“Each of the regions is equal and each is allowed to develop at its own pace. Whatever resources you have in your region, you take 50 per cent and the remaining 50 per cent is sent to the centre, which is further shared between the centre and the regions.

“That was the country we knew. Today, the reverse is the case. We complain of xenophobia in South Africa, what do we have in Nigeria?”

Responding, Chief Nwodo said the South-South were not just brothers but neighbour of the South-East, hence the need for both zones to collaborate and work together.

“We think that the rest of the country should come together and end an impending catastrophe,” he said.

Other leaders drawn from the 11 states of both zones include Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Major. General Nwachukwu (rtd), Alobo Tonye-Douglas, Senator Ewa Henshew, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Chief Guy Ikokwu, Prof. G.G. Darah, Dr. Steve Oru, Chief Albert Horsfall, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena and Uche Okwukwu.