National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the party was not opposed to true federalism as perceived in some quarters across the country.
He stated
this on Thursday in Abuja while inaugurating a 24-member committee on
True Federalism to articulate the party´s position on restructuring of
the country as agitations in that regard increased.
According
to Odigie-Oyegun, it is only the APC that can claim ownership to the
principle and the need for true federalism in the country.
"When
we sat down to discuss the union of the APC, it was one of the
principal issues that were almost like a no-go-item that we negotiated
and agreed.
"And as such, the
Constitution and the manifestos of the party are very elaborate in their
references to true federalism and devolution of power.
"It
is therefore totally inconceivable for uninformed members of the public
to jump on this bandwagon of reconstituting the federation,” he said.
He
added that such members of the public gave the impression that the APC
was “in any way against the principle of taking a fresh look at the
basis of our federalism."
Odigie-Oyegun
insisted that true federalism was already a mantra to the APC, and must
be looked into without jeopardising the fundamental unity of the
country.
He tasked members of the
committee to have a critical look at issues of devolution of power,
fiscal federalism, resource control and others thrown up following
recent clamour for restructuring of the country.
He,
however, stressed that APC’s Constitution and manifesto vigorously
canvassed the issues, adding that they were elaborately provided for.
The
chairman said that the party´s position on the issues had been
eloquently stated in the terms of references of the committee.
"It
is your duty, especially having regard to the emotive nature of the
national discourse on restructuring, to distill from our party
constitution and manifesto the various ideas canvassed in different
constitutional conferences.
"I
expect you to look at whatever document available on this subject and to
look at whatever views and recommendations available on it.
"I
also expect, at all times, that your anchor will be the constitution
and manifesto of the party, because it is on that manifesto that we went
to the public of this nation.
"I
ask you to generate a report which will truly reflect the desire of our
people and a true reflection of what our party stands for,” he said.
He added that it was critical to ensure that the party met the desires of Nigerians on their idea of true federalism.
In his response, Kaduna State Governor and Chairman of the committee, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, said that APC believed in balanced federation and fiscal federalism and was doing well in that regard.
"We
can give example as state governors of the level of participation of
states in certain economic policy directions for the country.
"This
government has also taken steps to devolve power and responsibility to
states, without any constitutional amendment to states.
"We have seen more cases of federal assets and roads being taken over by states willingly,” el-Rufai said.
He
disclosed that the committee had met three times and had identified 12
key issues to be discussed by Nigerians to ensure a clearer direction on
issues of restructuring.
He said that
the committee would visit 12 states in the country to meet with the
people at the grassroots to collate their views on the issues with a
view to proffering solution.
El-Rufai said some of the issues to be looked into were state creation, regionalism, land tenure system and revenue allocation.
He added that the committee would also utilise social media platforms to interact with the people across the country.
The
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 24-member committee,
which has nine states’ governors, women, youths and some leaders of the
APC, was constituted on July 9.
Members of the committee are Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.
Others are former governor of Edo, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; APC National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso; APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Hajiya Fatima Balla.
Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi is the committee’s Secretary.
The committee is expected to complete its assignment within three months.
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