‘True federalism is the only way to go” – Adebanjo harps

Elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has renewed his call for a return to true federalism to correct the in balance and injustice on the present political arrangement.

Chief Adebanjo said in a special interview on the television channel of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS TV ) that most problems affecting the nation are rooted in a distorted constitution crafted by the military.

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 also frowned at lopsidedness on slack of openness in the creation of local governments which he said was in favor of the North.

“This constitution created local governments which they use to distribute resources. But the North is in an advantaged position”,he said.

The Afenifere chieftain further lamented that  “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”. Adding that the return to the genuine federal structure is imperative to free the rest of the country from servitude.

The Elder statesman blamed some Yoruba leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) for not being bold enough to speak the truth to power because of their selfish ambition.

“Our brothers who are in the APC will say they cannot do without the North and I dare say we are equal partners in this federation. Tinubu is hesitant for just no cause. Buhari is deceiving him. When he (Buhari) leaves, he will make him the President. And if you ask the governors, they will say that thinking is just in the air,”
Adebanjo said.

According to Adebanjo, it is wrong to believe that Nigeria will disintegrate if the nation returns to true federalism as recommended by the 2014 National Constitutional Conference organized by  Goodluck  Jonathan administration.

He said Nigeria was very strong in the pre independence era with Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Premier of Western Regional, Nnamdi Azikiwe as Premier of Eastern Region, Sadauna as Premier of Northern Region, with Tafawa Balewa at the centre.

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 constituent to develop at its own pace.”

He took a swipe at many politicians in Nigeria, especially those in the South West who used the platform of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the former Premier of Western Region to gain recognition and win elections but abandon the late sage’s ideas, saying political office should be for service, freedom and advancement of the people.

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