Governors from the southern part of the
country are demanding true federalism and devolution of powers to states.
They made this demand during a meeting which
held in Lagos on Monday.
In a communique read by Akinwunmi Ambode, the
host, the governors resolved to collaborate with one another for the growth and
development.
Ambode said after extensive deliberations,
the governors also emphasised priority on security and lives and property of
citizens of the regions, while also resolving to work on an effective
linkage on good infrastructure across the 17 states in the region.
He said the goals of true federalism, which
included the strengthening of autonomy and the enhancement of fiscal viability
will enable the states to develop at their own pace, and based on their
peculiarities.
Ambode said the forum had achieved an increased
awareness on the sustenance of the national question germane to peaceful
co-existence in the country.
He frowned at what he described as the
non-periodic review of the revenue formula as provided by the constitution to
reflect evolving realities.
“States are disparaged for always carrying
begging bowls to Abuja in quest of hand-outs from the federal government,” he
said.
“This is a function of our present national
constitution that burdens the federal government with activities and
responsibilities that rightly fall within the province of states.
“The productivity and revenue-generating
capacities of most states are thus stifled, thus turning them into no better
than street beggar states incapable of even meeting routine obligations of
paying workers’ salaries and pensions without federal support.”
Recalling how Lagos has fought and won
several legal battles since 1999, Ambode said if his state could achieve so
much by fighting alone, the southern governors’ forum would accomplish more
through collective planning and strategy.
The governor said the forum was reactivated
at a time the national assembly is harmonising its differences over the 1999
constitution amendment.
The last time the forum met was during the
tenure of Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos.
“It is important for this forum to
comprehensively look at the proposed amendments with a view to working with our
respective houses of assembly to ensure a coordinated response on our part that
will strengthen the practice of democracy, federalism, constitutionalism and
the rule of law,” he said.
At the meeting, Ambode was appointed chairman
of the forum while Dickson Umahi were appointed as co-chairmen.
The forum scheduled its next meeting for Port
Harcourt, Rivers state capital, at a yet to be announced date.
Those in attendance were Ibikunle Amosun
(Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), David Umahi (Ebonyi),
Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia),
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti).
Governors of Cross River, Anambra and Delta
were represented by their deputies – Evara Esu; Ikem Okeke and Kingsley Otuaro.
Source: The Cable
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