Devolution of Power and not creation of states will solve Nigeria’s Problems – Oshiomhole
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Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has charged the National Assembly to pass the bill for the devolution of power in order to give way for a viable resources control by every state in Nigeria.
Oshiomhole, who was twice elected as the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, has always thrown his weight behind the devolution of power rather than creating more states in the country; an idea which won’t solve the current problems of Nigerians.
“I am also a leader from the South. I don’t know what people mean but I am clear that we need devolution of powers and review of the Revenue Allocation Formula. Those are the two things I believe are doable and they will transfer more resources to the states and the states can do some of the things that the Federal government is currently doing. If that is what they mean by restructuring fine.
But any suggestions about a return to regions, I don’t believe they should move from one region to state and from state back to regions. I think what we need is very well captured by Obasanjo. We need to restructure our attitude, we need to be more honest with our people, we need to creatively manage public fund to take care of the larger public.
That for me is not a function of structure, it is a function of character, it is a function of attitude. It is sad that sometimes people go personal when we discuss these issues, but what will interest you is that people who are saying we should implement the confab report, one of the confab reports said we should create additional 18 states. Does that make sense to you? And those who are saying these were also on record saying that most states are not viable, but yet they want more states. These are the contradictions that I see.”
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