Why N/Assembly should reconsider devolution of powers - Abdulkadir

The National Assembly has been urged to revisit the issue of devolution of powers to states in the interest of the nation.

The Senate recently voted against devolution of powers to states in the on-going constitutional amendment processes.

The Chairman of Patriotic Movement of Nigeria (PMN), Alhaji Bello Abdulkadir, told newsmen at the end of the group’s two-day retreat, in Abuja, that devolution of powers would unbundle bureaucracy and develop the grassroots.

“Devolution of powers with great emphasis on reviewing the schedule of our constitution dealing with the exclusive and concurrent list will unbundle the bureaucracy stifling economic growth,” he said.

“It will ensure development at the grassroots. This we believe should set Nigeria on the best pedestal to align with modern best practices globally.

“Reform the electoral processes by devolving the powers of the selection of prospective candidates for political offices to the grassroots to foster accountability and ownership in governance.

“Institutional strengthening is necessary for effectiveness of good governance and the delivery of service to the Nigerian people. Our constitutional packaging must account for multiple identity formations, class, ethnic, faith, gender and generational,” he said.

Abdulkadir said his movement had set up a technical committee to look into the items that should be devolved to the federating states.