By Ameh Sunday Enyo-ojo
Former Minister of Communications, Dr Adebayo Shittu, has said his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not prevent him from speaking openly about governance and government policies in Nigeria.
Shittu made the declaration on Tuesday, September 29, during interview with Newsmen.
The former minister attributed Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges largely to the failure of political leaders to effectively implement existing constitutional provisions.
He argued that while the 1999 Constitution may require amendments in some areas, political leaders must first ensure that its existing provisions are properly implemented.
“There is never a perfect constitution,” Shittu said, urging Nigerians who identify shortcomings in the Constitution to pursue necessary amendments through the National Assembly.
He also accused some state governors of interfering with the autonomy of local governments, particularly through control of council elections and finances.
“The problem is with the people; it’s not with the law,” he said, insisting that local governments should be allowed to manage their resources and discharge their constitutional responsibilities without undue interference.
Shittu further called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that funds available to local governments translate into improved living conditions, particularly for residents in rural communities.
“If the President has been charitable enough to raise more money from the removal of oil subsidy, should he not also insist that the governors transmit those things down to the local government?” he asked.
His comments come amid continuing debate over local government autonomy following the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment concerning democratically elected councils and local government allocations.
Defending his position as an APC member, Shittu said party affiliation would not prevent him from criticising policies or speaking about issues affecting Nigerians.
“The fact that I am APC does not mean that I will not be able to tell the truth. I don’t fear anybody, and I have always been very honest,” he said.
State Police, Restructuring
On calls for the establishment of state police, Shittu acknowledged the need to address insecurity but expressed concern that political interests could influence the operation of state-controlled security structures.
He said any state police arrangement should be focused on protecting residents rather than becoming an instrument of political control.
Shittu also addressed calls for restructuring, including proposals for a return to regional government or the adoption of a parliamentary system.
“It’s not about regionalism. It’s about existing processes that they replicate, that they don’t revive,” he said, advocating stronger institutions and greater attention to education, healthcare, employment and security.
The former minister also raised concerns about political representation in Oyo State, saying what he described as the concentration of governorship opportunities among politicians from Ibadan should give way to broader opportunities for qualified aspirants from other parts of the state.
On the economic hardship associated with fuel subsidy removal and exchange-rate reforms, Shittu maintained that government policies should be assessed by their impact on citizens.
“All because they supported it doesn’t make it right,” he said, arguing that increased government revenue should translate into better public services and improved living conditions.
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