By Wole Mosadomi

Minna — Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida has called for the decentralisation of power from the central to other tiers of government in the country, saying the centre is overloaded with too much responsibilities thereby having too much to chew.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual National Peace Day lecture organised by the Abdusalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development and Niger State government, the former Military President observed that if federalism is to be properly practised, there is the need for the centre to shed more responsibilities for the states and local governments to perform.

He particularly stressed that handling of primary and secondary education by the centre should be left for both state and local governments to take care of.

According to him, “such areas like the economy, defence, security and foreign policy, among others, should be paramount to the central government.

“Even though I was opposed to it before, I am now a born again and that is why I joined others who have been agitating for state police, because it will enhance security in the country,” Babangida stressed.

He also said though he had kicked against people agitations for state policies in the past, there is now the need for state to have and fund their police to beef up security in the country.

“Though I enjoyed most of these powers during my tenure, but I saw the need for a change and that was why I set up a committee on Devolution of Power in 1989 under the Chairmanship of Abdusalam Okene, to take care of these problems and set out agenda for the future,” Babangida remarked.

The state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in his paper titled, Constitutional Review as a Mechanism for Peace and Stability, said no matter how good the constitution of a country is, if it does not carry along the people, such constitution is bound to fail.

He observed that the panacea for a stable polity lies in good governance and responsible, God fearing servant-leadership which must exemplify discipline and respect for law and order.

“Constitutional review that reflects equality, fairness and justice, and the shared aspirations and values of the people will guarantee peace and stability if the leadership respect the Rule of Law and the citizen are disciplined,” the governor added.

Why didnt IBB do the surgery when he was in power?. Why cry out today, when he knows he is no longer relevant to Nigeria and Nigerians.

By the way, who started amassing power to the center in Nigeria?. Is he not thesame person who called himself Military President?.

Abeg all Nigerians leaders are thesame. Soon after power, Yar'adua will come up with his strategy on how to move the economy forward. Why not stategise and implement it now .

Nigerian leaders can never repent!

Maradona is back again. He knows how to say the right things to curry favour, but when he was in power, he implemented none of these things.

Enjoyment1:

Why didnt IBB do the surgery when he was in power?. Why cry out today, when he knows he is no longer relevant to Nigeria and Nigerians.

Dude, I dont want to believe you are taking this man serious!

see map

As far as I am concern, decentralisation of power doesnt mean secession, but the practice of true federalism. The only problem here is that, the vessel that vomitted this contribution is an expired container .

it is funny how ibb have change with time. We had serious problem with IBB holding on to power. Nigerian dont want IBB back. but IBb would rank the 3 leader in nigeria. IBB build most part of Abuja. that you must give him credit for. But coming back to power. I dont think so,

We wish him. I think he should support our plan to join the republic of benin because he knoews what he went too with yorubas, how we gave him problem during JUNE 12, i would never imagine I would still be abroad. IBB is the reason we all left nigeria. Yorubas went to alot during June 12. they made us suffer. At least to redeemed his image, he should support us leaving the country.