Bode George to Tinubu: Restructuring needs to happen after LG autonomy
On Saturday, Chief Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), gave President Bola Tinubu the assignment to make sure the nation is completely restructured.
George stated the court has “once again proved that it is the last hope of the common man” and praised the Supreme Court for its decision on local government autonomy.
In a statement, the PDP leader asked the president to guarantee a thorough “overhaul of the polity.”
The statement says as follows: “This Thursday’s ruling by the Supreme Court prohibiting State
Governments from keeping and allocating funds intended for councils, the third level of government, is not only a win for democracy but also a significant step forward for the political and economic
development of Nigeria.
The supreme court’s decision was clear and unambiguous: councils headed by democratically elected people must receive allocations to local governments directly from the Federation Account.
The judiciary has once again demonstrated that it is the average person’s last hope.
This brave ruling by the supreme court will have significant effects on the development of democracy in the most populous Black nation in the world and Africa.
This brave decision will also promote transparency and improve democratic values locally.
“I have perused President Bola Tinubu’s declaration praising the verdict and discussing restructuring.”
I would like to suggest to the President that he needs to take things a step further because Nigerians desire a total reform of the political system.
Nigeria can only function in such manner. Nigerians desire a complete overhaul.
“strengthen our democracy and make sure that its benefits reach every Nigerian, wherever they may be in the nation.”
A strategic plan for a Bottom-Up Approach to governance—rather than the other way around—must exist for any nation to advance.
“We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome.
For example, how many international and local airports are under the authority of the central government in many developed nations? Atlanta, Georgia’s Jackson Airport is one of the busiest and most lucrative
airports in the world. The Atlanta City Council has authority over it. Seaports—what about them?
The overcentralization of practically everything in Nigeria is a significant concern.
“Legal cases in several U.S. states conclude in their respective Supreme Courts, not in Washington, D.C. In Nigeria, Abuja is the place for all cases.
In this case, approval from Abuja is required for even the smallest activity, like gold mine, anywhere in the nation. So, how do we envision Nigeria’s development?
“Observe Lagos State, which has 20 local administrations. Ogun State has twenty local governments as well. Twenty councils in Lagos and twenty councils in Ogun would receive money each month, and as we
all know, Lagos State has made significant contributions to the growth of the country.
Why should the number of councils in Lagos and Ogun be equal?
Kano and Lagos were created in 1967.
Later, Jigawa was removed from Kano. Kano has 44 council members, Jigawa has 27, and Lagos has 20. Therefore, after 57 years, the old Kano (now Kano and Jigawa) has 71 councils, while the old Lagos still
has 20. Where is the system’s justice?
“I firmly think that the number of LGs should be decided by the states. Furthermore, what role does the federal government play in parks? What precisely is the federal government’s responsibility when it
comes to water, agriculture, livestock, and even education?
What do governors have to do with markets?
“We envision a new Nigeria in which local level development is the norm. Everything needs to alter. Nigerians have run out of tolerance. Here, everything is concentrated.The revolution was initiated by the
Supreme Court.The moment has come to completely amend our Constitution.
