Elder statesman and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has suggested that decentralisation of power within the Federal Government is a way out of Nigeria’s economic crisis.
According to him, Nigerians will experience an improved lifestyle, adding that the rate of hardship will reduce when resources are managed by the government closest to the people.
The former military governor of Ondo State spoke on Friday during an interactive programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, which was monitored by DAILY POST correspondent in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He decried the current economic state of the country, citing the failed efforts of the Bola Tinubu-led administration and its unpopular policies.
George said: “Democracy is about the people; the needs and the wants of the people. It is defined as the management of the resources of the land for the benefit of the people. That is why in every state, you have three levels of government, three equal arms of government: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary.
“But it is so hard that we are still tumbling and rumbling. Look at the state of the country. The president tells us we should hold on; he wants to make sure things are in place, yet people are suffering. Nigerians are hungry and angry.”
He also faulted the 1999 Constitution, which concentrated allocation and gave the management of resources to an individual, stating that it is no different from the military.
“We have been talking and howling. I have been in the military and in civilian life, and I can see the differences. The way a military organisation is run is different from how a democratic government should be run. Everything we do now, you run to Abuja (the Federal Capital Territory).
“It is Abuja (the Presidency) who will cut the cake, start sharing things from A to B and all that. It is not working. It cannot work. One individual will be tampering with what we are doing in my local government and somewhere in the North,” he added.
Commenting on the security outlook of the country, the PDP chieftain positioned that local, state policing is the solution to bolster proper security of life and property.
He further berated several agencies, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the epileptic power supply causing frequent power grid failures.
George argued that the country should go back to some of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference instead of the President’s usual call for patience and endurance.
It would be recalled that the conference had recommended that the percentage given to population and equality of states in the existing sharing formula should be reduced.
Bode George calls for adoption of 2014 National Conference recommendations