NAN-H-47
Power
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, Aug. 3, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Abdulhameed Ujo of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, said devolution of power to states would cripple Federal Government and its institutions.
Ujo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the rejection of the Bill by the National Assembly was “a step in exigency’’ to protect the Federal Government and its institutions from imminent collapse.
He said that the logical and technical approach adopted during the voting was necessary, considering the number of institutions and financial commitments of the Federal Government.
“I have a feeling that the voting was done in consideration of the fact that the National Assembly is in the constituency of the Federal Government.
“Half of the federal institutions will close down because I have a feeling that the Federal Government will be given peanuts if states are given powers over resources.
“The implication is that while the oil producing states will be `flowing’ with money, the Federal Government that has enormous financial responsibilities will be stranded,” he said.
Ujo, however, called on the Federal Government to initiate programmes and policies to improve on resource allocation to oil producing-states in the interest of peace and fairness.
According to him, the agitation by the oil-producing states is resources and I am of the opinion that the current 13 per cent derivation be increased to ameliorate the situation. (NAN)
IMC/NNO/OPI