Decentralization of power will enhance development in Nigeria – Ex Chief of Staff Gambari

By Miracle Ogunde

Former President Muhammadu Buhari Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari has lamented the huge power vested on the federal government, calling for decentralization to enhance development in the country.

According to Gambari, the federal government should find a way to decentralize power by allowing states to take charge of some sectors like education, agriculture and as well strengthen local authorities.

Gambari, stated this on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme on Channels Television,.

“We have to decentralise power. The power of the central government has become so much.

“We have to find a way of decentralisation; it’s not necessarily by creating 50 more states or 200 more local governments, but those things that could be done competently like education, agriculture, and others, let the state take charge.

“It’s not by accident that power has become so concentrated at the centre; it is the prolonged military rule.

“They (heads of state) nominate governors and so on. But now, we are in a democracy, and I sincerely believe that we have to take a second look at that so that matters that don’t need to be on the exclusive or concurrent lists are not there.

“We must strengthen local government authorities. The local government autonomy is a good step but it is not just about money because if you don’t strengthen the capacities of the local governments and also the process as to which people become chairmen of local governments, you can throw money there, and it goes down the drain,” he said.

According to the elder statesman, all Nigerians have a stake in the unity of Nigeria, its stability and its progress.

The diplomat added that the future of Africa depends on Nigeria, stressing that based on the United Nations’ statement, Nigeria will become the most populous country in the world by 2050.

“It’s not late. The country, by God’s grace, is going to survive because I believe that the Almighty has a purpose for putting this number of people in this place, and to an extent, we cannot be ignored in the world,” he said.