Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Bode George has lamented the level of over centralisation prevalent in Nigeria
George made this statement on Saturday while lamenting the level of over-centralisation which he claimed has gone to the extent where little matters are taken to the capital while the grassroots are overlooked.
In his words, “A major challenge in Nigeria is that almost everything is overcentralised.
” Many States in the US have Supreme Courts and that is where legal cases in suchstates end, not in Washington D.C. In Nigeria, all cases must go to Abuja.
“Here, for something as minute as mining gold in any part of the country, somebody must approve in Abuja. So, how do we want to develop Nigeria?,”he queried.
George continued, “Look at Lagos State with 20 local governments. Ogun State also with 20 local governments. Every month, money will be sent to 20 councils in Lagos and 20 councils in Ogun and we all know the contributions of Lagos State to national development.
“Why should Lagos and Ogun have the same number of councils?,”he queried.
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“Lagos and Kano states were created in 1967. Jigawa was later carved out of Kano. Today, Lagos has 20 councils, Kano 44 and Jigawa 27. “So, in essence, after 57 years, the old Lagos still has 20 councils while the old Kano (now Kano and Jigawa) has 71. Where is the justice in the system?
“I strongly believe that states should determine the number of LGs they want. Also, what is the business of the Federal Government with parks? What exactly is the business of the Federal Government with livestock, agriculture, water, even education?What is the business of governors with markets?
“We want a new Nigeria where development starts from the grassroots.
“Everything must change. Nigerians are losing patience. Everything here is centralised. This is the right time to rejig our constitution in full,”he said.
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