belief in true federalism within the context of a united Nigeria
They condemn the situation whereby, “States are disparaged for always
carrying begging bowls to Abuja in quest of hand-outs from the Federal
Government. This is a function of our present national constitution that
burdens the Federal Government with activities and responsibilities
that rightly fall within the province of states.
In a communique after the first meeting of the 17 Southerm states
governors, 12 years after the Forum was inaugurated, the governors also
said the south required more infrastructure from the federal government.
They also agreed to continue to collaborate as partners in progress.
Host Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was appointed chairman of the
Forum with Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and Ebonyi State
Governor Dave Umahi as co-chairmen.
Imo state Governor Rochas Okorocha is the only governor who did not attend and failed to send a rep.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Anambra State Governor Willy Obiano sent their deputies.
Ambode said states would benefit from the envisaged restructuring.
He said the goals of true federalism, which included the strengthening
of autonomy and the enhancement of fiscal viability, would enable states
to develop at their own pace, based on their peculiarities.
Ambode, who hosted the meeting of the Southern governors last night,
said the forum had achieved an increased awareness on the sustenance of
the national question that is germane to peaceful co-existence in the
country.
However, he said a lot needed to be done and achieved, stressing that
true federalism required urgent, meticulous and proactive attention by
the forum.
Ambode frowned at what he described as the non-periodic review of the
revenue formula as provided by the constitution to reflect evolving
realities.
He said the review is crucial to enhance the viability of states and
local governments and their capacity to fulfil their developmental roles
in the polity.
The governor added: “The productivity and revenue-generating capacities
of most states are thus stifled, thus turning them into no better than
street beggar states incapable of even meeting routine obligations of
paying workers’ salaries and pensions without federal support.”
Ambode recalled that Lagos State had fought and won several legal
battles since 1999 that systematically strengthened its autonomy and
enhanced its fiscal viability.
He noted that the state had won the legal control over the management of
its environment, the control of urban and physical planning, the
regulation of overhead masts, the registration and regulation of hotels
and restaurants, and the control of inland waterways.
Ambode said these victories belonged not only to Lagos but also to other
states, adding that, if Lagos could achieve so much by fighting alone,
the Southern Governors’ Forum would accomplish more through collective
planning and strategy.
The governor said the forum had been reactivated at the time the
National Assembly is harmonising its differences over the 1999
Constitution amendment which will soon be transmitted to the Houses of
Assembly for approval.
He said: “It is important for this forum to comprehensively look at the
proposed amendments with a view to working with our respective Houses of
Assembly to ensure a coordinated response on our part that will
strengthen the practice of democracy, federalism, constitutionalism and
the rule of law.
Ambode clarified that while pushing for greater devolution of power,
responsibilities and resources from the centre to the states, the goal
of the forum is neither to a weak centre and strong states and vice
versa.
The governor paid tribute to former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed
Tinubu for his initiave, recalling that he hosted the first meeting of
the forum in Akodo Beach Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, when he was at the helm of
affairs.
He said while the initiative was received with mixed feelings at the
time, Tinubu was vindicated later because of its achievements as the
forum became a vocal voice on matters of critical importance, not only
to the Southern Nigeria, but to the country as a whole.
Ambode hailed the form for advocating for a special allocation to
oil-producing states in the Federation Account, adding that its
agitation led to the current 13 per cent revenue derivation and
allocation from the Federation Account.
He added: “Another major victory won towards strengthening the country’s
practice of true federalism was the declaration by the Supreme Court in
2002 that the then prevalent practice of the Federal Government
deducting monies from the Federation Account as a first charge for the
funding of Joint Venture Contracts, the NNPC priority projects,
servicing of Federal Government’s external debt, the judiciary and the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other federal obligations were
illegal and unconstitutional.
“The Supreme Court in that case abolished the special funds created by
the Federal Government to enable it draw funds from the Federation
Account to pay for matters that fell within its exclusive responsibility
before sharing whatever was left with states and local governments.”
