Oba Akiolu calls for true federalism in Nigeria

True Federalism is the only way forward for Nigeria, the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu II, said on Saturday in Lagos after addressing the 1999 Constitution Review Congress on the Lagos Island  Federal Constituency 1.
He said that the power allocated to the Federal Government in the 1999 Constitution was too much and urged that some of it should be relinquished to states and local governments.
The traditional ruler suggested that states and local governments should be given greater powers to facilitate  development and expressed regret that the federal Government controlled the bulk of revenues from levies that should go to states.
He canvassed that Lagos State should be given its due rights as a former Federal Capital while advocating that  traditional rulers should be under the control of local governments.
“Anything short of that is unacceptable,’’ he said.
He commended members of the National Assembly for the initiative of holding the public congress, saying that they had demonstrated by this initiative, that they were the true representatives of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the PDP in Lagos State  on Saturday said that it would petition the National Assembly and the Presidency over alleged poor publicity of  the constituency congress on the review of the 1999 Constitution.
The PDP, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, said that most of the centres designated for the public hearing in Lagos State were not known to the public.
The party also alleged that the ACN, the ruling party in the state, hijacked the congress.
“This is so much that other Lagosians cannot join in the presentations,’’ it said.
The PDP stressed that the inadequate publicity for the constituency congress resulted in a low turnout, adding that this would consequently make the outcome of the congress unable to reflect the true wishes of Lagos residents.
Reacting, Mr Joe Igbokwe, the state Publicity Secretary of the ACN, described the allegations as unfounded.
Igbokwe said  arrangements for the congress were carried out by the entire House of Representatives and not by ACN federal lawmakers alone.
“The session, as we all know, is taking place simultaneously in all federal constituencies nationwide.
“The ACN was not involved in the arrangements; the sittings are open to all members of the public,’’ he added.