True federalism the only way forward, says Adebanjo

Elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has renewed his call for a return to true federalism to correct what he described as “the imbalance and injustice” on the present political arrangement.

He spoke on Thursday at a special interview on the Oyo State-owned television, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS TV).

Pa Adebanjo said most problems affecting the nation are rooted in a distorted constitution crafted by the military, adding that things will never take the right path until the anomaly is addressed.

The elder statesman said: “The beginning of our problem in this country was the military coup of 1966. The people who want to do mischief, particularly our brothers from the North, are cheating us under the present structure imposed on us by the military in 1966.

“As long as that constitution exists, those of us in the South, who took part in the founding of this nation under our constitutional democracy, will not accept.”

He frowned at the lopsidedness and slack of openness in the creation of local governments, which he said was in favour of the North.

“This constitution created local governments, which they use to distribute resources. The North is in an advantaged position.

“This is a country where a section is imposing its will on the rest. They are using false population to get majority in the parliament. The return to genuine federal structure is imperative to free the rest of the country from servitude.”

He said it is wrong to believe that Nigeria will disintegrate if it returns to true federalism as recommended by the 2014 National Constitutional Conference organised by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He said Nigeria was very strong in pre-independence era with Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the Premier of Western Region, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as the Premier of Eastern Region and Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, as the Premier of Northern Region.

The Afenifere leader added: “The founding fathers designed the country to run a federalism with the understanding of the people’s diversities and for each of the constituents to develop at its own pace.”

Chief Adebanjo said the Amotekun security network model had sent jitters down the spines of authorities , adding that it was an initiative aimed at giving the Southwest states a measure of freedom in securing their areas.

-The Nation