Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states on Thursday submitted their memoranda to the All Progressives Congress Committee on True Federalism at the APC zonal meeting in Kano, declaring their support for an indivisible Nigeria.
In their separate presentations, representatives of the states stated that the unity of the country remained sacrosanct and non-negotiable and stressed that it would not be in the interest of any part of the country for the nation to disintegrate.
The position of Kaduna State was however not presented as the state was not present to submit its memorandum.
Presenting the position of Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who was personally present, said, “True federalism should not be misconstrued for a weak central government but rather a Federal Government that should be seen as a strong coordinating unit that will be entrusted with the responsibility of equitable distribution of common resources, among the federating units.”
Ganduje, who was in support of equitable spread of infrastructure and balanced economic growth across the country, also advocated a stronger united nation.
“The agitation for the restructuring of the country has raised dust of disunity, dissatisfaction and disaffection among Nigerians against a nation built in unity, peaceful co-existence and religion, as well as ethnic harmony. We hereby canvass for true federalism, devoid of discountenance of our corporate entity Nigeria,” Ganduje submitted.
In his presentation, the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir, clamoured for the devolution of power.
According to Abubakar, some key issues, including education and agriculture should be expunged from the exclusive list, thereby enabling states and local governments to manage their own affairs effectively.
He expressed the state’s support for true federalism and the review of fiscal federalism, federal allocation and federal system of government.
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, in his contribution, aligned with the positions of the states in the zone that Nigeria required true federalism.
“Of course, there are challenges confronting our corporate existence but the agitation for restructuring is attracting several dimensions and interpretations, which are not found in our constitution.
“No doubt, there are fundamental issues that need to be re-evaluated but our major challenge is the constitution inherited from the military. Talking about restructuring, we must evaluate our constitution and our elite too must also be ready to stand for the truth and sincerity. As far as we are concerned, we believe in a strong Nigeria”. Masari noted.
Earlier, the Chairman of the APC True Federalism Committee, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, who was represented by the former governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, hinted that issues to be deliberated on included devolution of power, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, resource control, among others.
