Kalu, Agbakoba, others advocate ‘true federalism’

The former Minister of Finance, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dr. Olisa Agbakoba among other prominent Nigerians have called for the implementation of true federalism.

They made the call Friday, at a town hall meeting organised by the Liberal Forum at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos.

Kalu, who noted that Nigeria was facing myriad of problems, said those in position of leadership need to act fast in addressing germane issues, especially as they affect restructuring or reconfiguration of the country, micro economy policy, privatisation and rule of law.

“All of these four issues need to be attended to as fast as possible. On the issue of restructuring or reconfiguration, we have been on this for years. Whatever name you call it, what matters most is that power should be devolved from the centre to the states and of course the local governments.

“Power should not just be devolved to the states and stop there. It needs to be extended to local levels and we allow resources within these areas to be controlled by the people who reside where the resources are situated,” Kalu said.

Agbakoba lamented that the civil society organizations, which used to take on the military junta “are practically dead” and there was need for Nigerian students to start mobilising and take their leaders to task on the need to make the country better.

Similarly, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Obadiah Mailafia, said for any form of restructuring to take place in Nigeria, it has to be directed at improved infrastructure, poverty alleviation, improved education and most importantly, true federalism that gives a sense of belonging to every citizens.

The guest speaker at the event, Prof. Richard Joseph, a political economist from Harvard, United States, advocated the need to make Nigerian constitution aspirational. He said if the constitution is aspirational, the issue of true federalism would be thoroughly addressed.

PHOTO: Sokoto Govt House Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State (right) exchanges traditional compliments with a member of the Sokoto Igbo community, Mr. Steven Okoro, after iftar dinner organised by the Sokoto state government for members of the community in Sokoto on...