The Governor of Ondo State and Chairman of Southern Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, has called on President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to prioritize power devolution in his administration to fast-track Nigeria’s development. Speaking at a lecture in Ondo, Akeredolu reiterated that power centralized in the federal government was too overwhelming and should be devolved to the states. He further suggested urgent measures such as banning the importation of all items that could be produced locally and heavily taxing luxury goods to boost Nigeria’s ailing economy.
According to Akeredolu, the present constitution that grants enormous power to the federal government was problematic and the federating units must be allowed to chart the course of development in their localities. He further emphasized that every state should be free to explore its areas of strength for the benefit of its citizens and not be reduced to “pathetic beggars” in a federation as the situation currently is.
He urged Tinubu’s administration to confront the obstacles hindering Nigeria’s progress head-on and ensure that federal agencies stop encroaching on states’ spheres of influence. He recommended that the proceeds from sales tax and value-added tax be distributed based on contributions and any state that feels incapable of economic growth can join other states.
In Akeredolu’s words, “The states must be allowed to assume their full identities. They are no junior partners to the Federal Government. They enjoy coordinate powers.” He also noted that unless urgent measures such as power devolution and import restriction are implemented, development in Nigeria will remain an imaginary possibility.
