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South West leaders on Monday opted for united Nigeria and warned those calling for disintegration of the country to drop the idea.
They said the solution to problems facing the country is restructuring to reflect the principles of true federalism as envisioned by founding fathers of the country.
The event was the public presentation of memorandum on true federalism organized by the national leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) held at the Conference Centre of University of Ibadan.
Many leaders took turn to present their memorandum to the committee on true federalism which has the mandate to review the ideas variously referred to as restructuring, devolution of powers, resource control and regionalism among others with a view to articulating and aligning the public position with the ruling party’s manifesto and campaign promises.
Present at the event were the APC leaders in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, the APC Committee on True Federalism led by its Chairman, Governor Simon Lalong , the Oyo State deputy governor, Otunba Moses Alake, and former governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sulliva Chime .
Others included prominent traditional rulers led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi , the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, and Onijeru of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oladapo.
Also present were South West APC Women leader, Kemi Nelson, Afenifere Renewal Group ( ARG) Chairman, Mr. Wale Oshun , representative of Lagos State governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke and the APC Vice Chairman in Lagos, Chief Funso Ologunde, among others .
Before making the Oyo State government’s presentation, the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake, described the APC led administration as a responsible and responsive government, with the people’s interest and well-being as its cardinal focus.
He said the agitation for restructuring is an indication that something needed to be addressed on the current structure or arrangement in the country.
“For instance, the present revenue formula which gives 52.8 percent of federally collected revenue to the federal government , with paltry 26.72 percent and 20 percent to states and local governments respectively, is too lopsided , thus leaving the states with serious financial challenges .
“Besides, the centre is too saddled with too many responsibilities which it finds pretty difficult to discharge as much as the sub-national units simply of over centralisation.
The governor expressed dissatisfaction with the current derivation formula and called for urgent action to redress the disparity.
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