Constitution Review Is Compulsory For FG To Shed Excess Weight – Akeredolu

The Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu has come out to urge the Federal government to shed itself of the excess weight.

He recently revealed this at the Public Hearing by the Senate Committee on review of the 1999 constitution in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

According to him, the current arrangements is the main reason behind the friction in the country and the reason for politics of bitterness, so adjustments have to be made.

He added that the current constitutional system is obviously not sustainable, and the Federal government should only coordinate and receive royalties.

His words, “All the agitations of the peoples of this country must be looked into with a view to improving the economic power of the average citizens.”

“The best way possible is to allow each region flower in its areas of comparative advantage.”

“The behemoth called the Federal Government must shed the excess weight unduly appropriated over time. It is the major cause of friction.”

”It is the reason for the politics of bitterness. It explains why everyone wants the power at the centre. It promotes ethnic chauvinists and encourages mediocrity.”

“The new law must view, critically, the current misnomer which sees the Federal Government appropriating humongous amounts for moribund agencies whose duties overlap with those of the states.”

“The fiscal policy of the country must be restructured to encourage ingenuity and uncommon resourcefulness.”

“The Federal Government should only coordinate and receive royalties. The current system is not sustainable. All of us are beginning to appreciate this fact.”

“The current exercise will derive its legitimacy if taken to the people for revalidation.”

“Nothing must be taken for granted. Everyone must be treated as an equal partner in this whole enterprise of nation-building.”

“The constitution of a country should reflect the aggregate of the realistic expectations of the components parts which form the union.”

”It is the basic law which must define the powers and responsibilities of the offices created to serve the people.”

”lt must address the possible areas of anxiety. Nothing must be taken as given. All aspects of concern must be looked into with a view to reaching a consensus.”

“All disparate aspirations must be harnessed to evolve a national ethos. No section of the country must feel shortchanged.”

”The document produced must be a true reflection of collective bargaining and concessions secured in an ambiance of frank exchanges among members of the same family.”

”The current attempt at Constitution amendment should be taken beyond the usual jamboree conceived and executed to arrive at predetermined result.”

“The 1963 Constitution retained Regionalism and upheld the principle of autochthony, an organic development of the law using local experiences.”

“The Republican status of the country was reflected. Each Region had considerable latitude to blossom at her own pace. There was devolution of powers in the true sense of the term.”

”This was the period when even outsiders noticed the potential greatness of the nascent post colonial country.”

“The major provisions which allowed the three regions which existed before independence were retained in the 1963 Constitution.”

“That remains the best document for a country as heterogeneous as Nigeria. It was the best practicable guide towards nationhood.”