IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA.
The Flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Karimi, has advocated for the devolution of power that will favor the States and Local Governments.
The APC flag bearer who was a two times Member of the House of Representatives said the only way out of the precarious financial and insecurity situation in the country is to adopt the federalism system.
Hon. Karimi who suggested while interacting with Newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday believes that the country will develop faster as the federating components (zones or states) contribute revenue to the Central government.
He said that the current challenges facing the country have made it difficult for Governors to secure the lives of people in their States and Local Government areas
The Lawmaker who called for the Devolution of power with further constitutional amendments, urged the National Assembly to tinker with the 68 items in the Exclusive Legislative List, adding that “enough of shying away from the realities”.
Hon. Karimi particularly said items like Police and Government Security Agencies, Arms and ammunition, mining, and electricity should be made to be within the preserve of States to enhance Security.
He expressed dismay at the over-concentration of powers in the center, which has rendered the states and local governments weak, helpless, redundant, and unnecessarily dependent on the Central government.
” by section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 7,8,9 of the Nigerian Police Act 2020, allows for only one central police under the Command of the Inspector General of Police who is subject only to the President.” He noted.
He also said item 45 of the Exclusive Legislative List makes the Nigerian Police and other government Security services a matter within the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government
“A central or unitary police system is too constrained to tackle the hydra-headed insecurity situation facing the country now.” Hon. Karimi observed
The APC Standard bearer also observed that most of the insecurity issues affecting the country are localized and can be tackled by formally training police and security personnel who know the terrain in the States and localities, as Community Policing is the best way out for the country now.
” In my view, State Governors in a Federal System of Government must have its Police Force to maintain law and order, arrest criminals, investigate them, have their Prison facilities to detain suspects and criminals as well as equip courts to prosecute and adjudicate on insecurity cases.
“Due to increased responsibilities on States in the federation, it has become imperative that states as Federating units should have increased control of natural resources whilst they pay royalties to the Central Government”. He said
He pointed out that with such arrangements life and properties will be better secured adding that the impact of governance too will be better felt at the local levels, while the unhealthy agitations for power amongst the ethnic minorities, which will soon become a thing of the past.
The APC Standard bearer stressed that if the country must come out of the precarious predicaments it finds itself now where people are unable to sleep with their two eyes closed and live a prosperous life, devolution is the only answer.
