Power devolution good for Nigeria, says Ganduje

From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State on Monday backed the growing clamour for the devolution of power in the country.
He said that the measure would promote unity, peace and national development.
Ganduje spoke in Kano Government House when he received the 30-member Kano State Committee on True Federalism, set up by his administration to articulate the views of the people of the state on the on-going debate for true federalism and restructuring.
The governor said that, “we found it imperative to bring this issue so that it can be debated at national level, at regional level; and I am aware that the Northern States Governorsa�� Forum constituted a similar committee which has been working. We also have a similar committee at the party level. And now in our own case, we have it at the state level.
“However, in democracy, it is a very important issue. It should not be an issue that somebody will be annoyed with; it is an issue that we should welcome because democracy is dynamic.
“Along the way, we will see how we can refine the system. There is no doubt that the Federal Government, being an offshoot of the military, because the presidential system was brought by the military even though civilians were there, but it was off course, under the guide of the Federal Government which by then, was a military government.
“So, you can see that from time to time, we can see how we can make some adjustments in our constitution.
“There is no doubt that the Federal Government has the element of unitary system, because the military itself was a unitary system, so the child that came from the military must also have some features of unitary system.
“That was why the Federal Government became so bogus; the Federal Government became so strong in terms of responsibilities and in terms of revenue of the country itself – so that one on itself, needs to be revisited. There is need to review the constitution for devolution of powers from federal to state governments and from state to the local governments”.
The Committeea��s Chairman, Dr. Sule Yahaya Hamma, said that the panel which has met 24 times since its inauguration in November 2017, has held meetings with the Emir of Kano, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Islamic scholars, market women, students’ unions, civil society organisations and other relevant bodies whose contributions formed part of the recommendations of the committee.
Hama added that the committee’s terms of reference included bringing up ideas and recommendations that would reflect the views of the people of Kano State on the issue of true federalism and restructuring.