Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo state has criticized the 1999 constitution with regards to power delegation.
Akeredolu, chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, on Thursday, said there would be no meaningful project in the country as long as it was not redesigned to devolve power to federating units.
He said the Nigerian government has great power, which is why there is a need to rewrite the constitution in a way that will empower the provinces in the country.
Akeredolu said, “We hold it as self-evident that a federal state must put in place a system of administration, which reflects its heterogeneous character. The federating units must progress from the semblance of autonomy to the recognition of their unique features, which justify their existence.
“All institutions must emerge as consequences of deliberative engagements designed to accommodate and serve all segments of society. Social services become seamless and effective when governance is localised.”
Akeredolu added that lawmakers must consider making laws that would deepen the current democratic experiment.
While speaking on the growing acceptability of the Amotekun Corps, Akeredolu explained that the corps has ensured that collaborative efforts among security agencies yield maximum protection for the general public.
“It, therefore, becomes anomalous and suspicious to insist on a central command structure of policing the polity. We are proud of our modest intervention at a most auspicious moment in the country. We enjoin all patriots to look critically into the issues bordering on the challenges faced by the country as a result of the current system.
“Devolution of powers must be perceived as necessary for the development of the country. There can be no meaningful progress in a system where the federating units are treated as mere outposts for the central administration,” he added.
