Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday said true federalism was the only way to drive democracy in the country.

Mr. Ambode, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, made the assertion at the 23rd anniversary of the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections.

The programme was organised by the state’s Office of Civic Engagement under the Deputy Governor’s Office with the theme: “Democracy and Inclusiveness — Basis for Good Governance.”

“We still have a long way to go in our country today and that is because we are not practicing true federalism. And for us to achieve that, we need to work really hard.

“We must ensure that we install a viable federalism in Nigeria, that is the only way to build and enjoy our democracy as well as honour the memory of late MKO Abiola,” he said.

Mr. Ambode said that his administration would strive to uphold the ideals of June 12 by ensuring the expansion of the frontiers of democratic governance and social justice.

Also speaking, Ndubuisi Kanu, a former Military Governor of Lagos State, said that the practice of true federalism was the solution to the challenges facing the country.

“Whatever is happening now in the country either militancy, IPOB or others will not stop until we go back to the Nigeria that we are expected to build; a federal Nigeria.




“We should brace up and be prepared. Prayers alone will not solve the problem. We have to get back to a federal Nigeria,” Mr. Kanu, retired Rear Admiral, said.

In his contribution, Ayo Opadokun, Convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, said that restructuring was the solution to country’s challenges.

“After 23 years, those who denied Nigerians the opportunity of true democracy are still living and are in government positions.

“But it is sad to note that they have not done anything to correct the mistakes from the lessons of June 12.

“June 12 will continue to be relevant until Nigerians are given the opportunity to decide their fate in the country and that is when Democracy would have been enthroned,’’ he said.

Mr. Opadokun urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Independent Electoral Commission to announce Abiola as the winner of June 12, 1993 election as well include his name in the names of past presidents of Nigeria.

In his lecture, Olumuyiwa Noah, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, urged elders in the country to narrate the story of June 12 to the younger generation to curb electoral malpractices.

“We owe it a duty to tell the story of June 12 to our young ones who are ignorant of what transpired so that they are aware; and in future, elections malpractices will be curbed,” the professor said.

In his remarks, Kehinde Joseph, Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Civic Engagement, said that the anniversary was to keep the essence and lessons of democratic experience alive.

The June 12, 1993 presidential election was annulled by former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, before the final announcements of results. Initial results released showed that Moshood Abiola, a billionaire philanthropist, had an unassailable lead over his then opponent, Bashir Tofa.

Mr. Abiola, who later died in government custody, is believed by most Nigerians to have won the election, considered one of the freest and fairest in Nigeria.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/205163-true-federalism-can-resolve-nigerias-problems-ambode.html

na today?

The wise ones know this... But the foolish ones are saying the confab is for the archives..

That's just the simple solution; But the North will not like this,they'll fight tooth and nails to water down this simple solution.

banmee:




And therein lies the problem. Nigerian don't understand what federalism is. Why do you think we don't practice it at the moment. Nigerians are confusing it's corruptive mentality with it not practicing federalism.

what are you saying? The only reason why there's delay in the adoption of this proposal is because of OIL,the North don't want to let go. Corruption would be greatly tackled under Regional rule as some may want to call it,and it remains the only solution to Nigeria's problems. Secession is never an option,but true federalism where each geo-political region would develop based on its strength,technology and available resources. That way there would be competition from all quarters and rapid change. The true change lies in true federalism.

banmee:


You don't know this, but the American government has the power to control resources found in states but chose not to do so because they have corruption under control and it wouldn't make any sense because they also have an effective taxation policy. Corruption has completely destroyed the way Nigerians perceive what federalism is. Even if all the states in the country secede, they would crumble in no time because the corruptive mentality in Nigeria which has taken root in the psyche of generations of Nigerians to come. Also, every state in Nigeria has the same powers as the center to generate revenue but don't because they don't understand their responsibilities and how to go about it.

know this now,Nasarawa state has the largest mineral deposit in Nigeria,but still ranks amongs the poorest states. Why?,coz of oil. Because the federal government is on hand to give states allocations and sometimes bail out funds every month,no one wants to look inward. The over dependency on oil is just sicking....let me also tell you this, states don't have control over resources found within its territory. If a state wants to harness any resource in its region,it must first obtain licence from the federal government. The centre owns the land and resources within the boundary of Nigeria...now you see that's a huge limitation to development

mikolo80:
how many states have tackled corruption.? so far. that you know. who stopped any state from planting Palm oyel, cocoa or cotton rice wheat sugar. who is holding any state from building industrial park. or refinery. instead you're all building hotels malls airport and flyover. SMH

now all those can only be built through federal government intervention and allocations. Now how do you expect us to move forward if states can't generate income enough for them to at least pay their workers?,the governors rush down to Abuja every month to collect Allocations,and some bailout fund. Resources are lying idle in various states waiting to be harnessed,but the states can't harness their own resources because it belongs to the federal government. The simple concept about true federalism is resource control,each region should be allowed to control and utilise its own resources for the development of the said region.

OK we Ave heard you. So wha should we the (soft targets) do. When you people the (hard targets are just saying it without any action) ?

Major respect to Ambode for pushing for True Federalism.

I hope we really wake up and get this government to do the right thing. There is too much power at the center with too many dumb n greedy idiots running the show. Decentralise power and let d bottle feeding stop.

Frankiss44:
The wise ones know this... But the foolish ones are saying the confab is for the archives..

Your confab is useless

Ambode an APC Legend is talking sense. So let others follow suit. Very seriously many companies have fainted. If things continue like this for another one month, I am sorry there may be anarchy.

lai mahammed will counter this betrayer soon

ascek:
Ambode an APC Legend is talking sense. So let others follow suit. Very seriously many companies have fainted. If things continue like this for another one month, I am sorry there may be anarchy.

God will help us the helpless

True federalism is the only way forward right now

Frankiss44:
The wise ones know this... But the foolish ones are saying the confab is for the archives..

Only a knowledgeable person will know true federalism is not in the confab report

That is the truth, and the only way to do this is true constitutional amendment, because I read the so called confab report and was disappointed (create 18 more state, 17% derivation of natural resources and constitutional presidency rotation)

The national assembly need to raise and do this for us, only them can do this, if Buhari refuse to sign VETO him.... Let the southern cacus of the Senate initiate the process and then leave the rest for us

We will occupy the whole Abuja till that ammendment is passed... . But they know they benefit from the present system and won't want change... And now they lie and tell people to blame Buhari

We need to hold our representatives responsible and not Buhari

we all know most states won't love this.....not only northern states but also southern states. I will really love it if we do it cos most state govs will be serious and will look inward but we don't have what it takes on ground now......meanwhile.....





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oo

mrvitalis:

Only a knowledgeable person will know true federalism is not in the confab report

pls,how can I get a copy of the confab report?

bloodyBLOGGER:
pls,how can I get a copy of the confab report?

Just Google bro

His fellow brown roof republicans would disagree with him.

simple , i dont know y zombies dont like dis

God Bless this man for me......


this our system of government is too old

Northerners with yoruba-like monickers will rise to create confusion by attacking ambode or the message. Lets all be aware of their antics at dividing the south just to have the upper hand of lording it over the rest of us. Just tell me why any sane nigerian wil go against true federalism, aside the the direct benefactors of this deviously lopsided system.

Northerners mimick every region here to create enemity. Example of such is IRUNOOBO and some other biafran monickers that specialize in initiating tribal online wars between yoruba and igbos, only to now sit back and watch the south gnaw at each other wild they perfect their domination strategy.
*spits on the naive and clueless south*

Buhari won't hear!
Shai dem say ein get ear problem, which affects his thinking or so.

Nigeria as it is cannot work anymore, where the North sucks the life out of the south-south to water and maintain the north.

The North uses the Oil from the south-south to build the north while the south-south languishes in poverty.

The North uses NYSC to take human resources from the South to the North in the name of unity,
but when it comes to political appointments it's all North.


Even before the civil war they said that southerns should not be given jobs in the north,
so they came up with NYSC.

NOTE this video is before the war, the North has always hated the south and only wants to suck our resources and islamtize us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y1Zpk4DrlA

Everybody can see that Nigeria is.......

Biko this Npower.gov.ng site how can novice web surfers like me register and log in. Meanwhile I support true federalism.

Thewrath:
I wonder which version of ewedu Ambode eats,clearly different from that of tinubu's and his keyboard warriors....maybe expired ewedu.

The smelly akpu is truly affecting your watery brain. Ambode have just told you the wish of all Yorubas, and there position even at the last confab. Stop disgracing yourself online.

It only hurts me that our fore fathers didn't learn anything meaningful from the white before seeking for independence.... Even with true federalism 9ja go still belike this... Until we learn to value life over material things

Thank God Ambode acknowledges this but his party thinks otherwise. Every sane Nigerian knows that Nigeria is too big for a man sequestered in Aso-rock to handle all alone. There is a growing need to reconfigure Nigeria to meet the aspirations of everyone. We either restructure this country and progress, or continue with this system and perish.

Please help a friend

I have been reading other peoples comment but I don't know how to comment

You've finally woken up? Good morning!