Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has called for a review of Nigeria’s federal system of government, saying it has expired. He said the review would address the nation’s numerous challenges and place the nation on the path of growth and prosperity.
Obaseki, while speaking to journalists in Benin City, said the federal system and over-centralisation of power was limiting the nation’s capacity to realise its full potential.
He said: “Unless we redesign the system, we will not get the full potential of the country. If you are relying on crude oil, the system should allow you to produce more. Today, we are producing 1.2 million barrels per day, and it cannot keep us.
“The only way you can improve it is to say in Edo State, you have 107 wells, and only 53 are producing, Mr Governor, take, get people to explore, whatever you produce; keep this, give us that; will I not jump to it?
“Zamfara State, you have these mining sites, go, own your licences, and we will help you to supervise this.”
Will they not jump at it? Pay 60 or 40 per cent into the federation account. Unless we grow to that level, we will not increase our revenue. Even security will not grow, and you cannot secure this country from the centre anymore. So, our country needs a redesign urgently. This design has expired, redesign.”
