In order to expedite the growth of the nation, Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, has urged Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to take the subject of power devolution seriously in his government.
Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, reaffirmed the need to transfer authority to the states since it was too excessively concentrated at the federal level.
In addition, he was of the opinion the next president should prohibit the importation of any goods that might be manufactured in the nation, and that luxury goods should be substantially taxed to help the economy of the nation recover.
Akeredolu represented by his special adviser on union matters and special duties, Dr Dare Aragbaiye stated this at the 59th Founders’ Day Anniversary Lecture, Award, and Endowment of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo.
The Governor objected to the country being governed under the current constitution, which gave the Federal Government immense power, and insisted that the federating units must be empowered to direct development in their communities.
He said that states shouldn’t be treated like pitiful beggars in a federation, as is the case at the moment, and that each state should be free to explore its areas of strength for the benefit of the natives and residents.
The development of Nigeria will remain a distant possibility, Akeredolu emphasized, “unless these measures are considered, all efforts geared towards development will amount to reinforcing failure.”
He said, “The Federal Government must divest itself of the overwhelming but self-imposed duties for the country to breathe. The states must be encouraged to explore their domains and be creative. The Federal Government must ban the importation of all items which the country is capable of producing. The taxation on luxury goods must be heavy.”
“The incoming administration has its job clearly defined. It is inheriting not only a heavy backlog of disaffection and complaints from the citizenry from all parts of the country, and it has sold its campaign on the promise of a renewed hope.
“This clearly points at its readiness to address existential issues, which bedevil the country at the moment. The expectations are high but the obstacles which have been erected to militate against progress are enormous. The tasks are going to be arduous but not insurmountable. The President and his team, as well as the governors in the states, must be courageous to confront the problems headlong.
“The states must be allowed to operate fully without hindrance as is the case from federal agencies which encroach steadily on their sphere of influence. The states should control their resources and pay taxes to the Federal Government. Proceeds from sales tax and Value Added Tax must be distributed according to contributions.
“Any state, which feels incapable of proceeding as a socioeconomic cum political entity, may seek to join others. The states must be allowed to assume their full identities. They are no junior partners to the Federal Government. They enjoy coordinate powers.”
