The presidential candidate of the Peoples Trust (PT), Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, has said that the over centralisation of power in the federal government is the main issue affecting development of Nigeria.
He said the issues facing Nigeria presently could only be overcome when states are allowed some level of resources control.
Hashim who spoke in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Abuja said anybody in his right senses knows that Nigeria cannot continue the way it is now.
“There is too much over centralisation of power. The states can do better when they are left with some level of resources,” he added.
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He noted that there is a lot of illiteracy even among people who call themselves elites about the kind of language of communication on restructuring. “When you talk about restructuring a lot of people are sad even before discussing the content of it. Now here is my take on it, yes there are people who want to politically profit from that they are calling restructuring, for me the most important thing is how to decentralise power more to the states,” he said.
“I have been on this subject since 1990 where we organised a national conference and we work with different civil societies to achieve this issue of decentralisation within the context of the existing states so I believe in the reform of the Nigerian federation in order to have a more efficient and balance federation, so I will not use the word, restructuring, because it can be a bit confusing and it sends some signals that create unnecessary confusion,” he observed.
He stressed that if given the opportunity to rule as president he would find the synergy that can make Nigerians do things that could move the country forward without creating conflict.
He added that there is need to urgently confront insecurity in the country.
“11 out of the 19 northern states as we speak today are almost being swallowed by insecurity. There are tactically only about 8 states that have some level of stability in the north right now out of 19,” Hashim warned.
