APC GOVERNORS REJECT AUTONOMY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The governors of the All Progressive Congress, APC, at the end of their meeting on August 14, 2013, Wednesday, rejected autonomy for Nigerian local governments.

This has been stated in a communiqué released by them after the five-hour meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa state. The APC governors agreed with the the National Assembly’s decision not to include local government autonomy in the ongoing constitutional amendment.

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State was the person who read the eight point communiqué.

The governors said autonomy for the local governments would undermine the fundamental principle of federalism and push the country towards a unitary system.

Lafia meeting of the governors has also been named Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and was attended by nine governors and one deputy governor.

The attendees are the host, Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, and Abdullazez Yari of Zamfara. Others are Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Kashim Shettima of Borno, and Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo. The deputy governor of Imo, Eze Madumere, also attended while Yobe governor was not represented but sent in apology.

“Recognizing the fact that federalism is the basis of our sovereignty, is a matter within the purview of the federating unit and every attempt to legislate by the national assembly on aspect of local government administration will tilt the country towards a unitary state. This will undermine and weaken the fundamental principle of our federalism,” the governors said.

In one of the points of the communiqué, the governors also recommended that the power to amend the revenue allocation formula be removed from the presidency and given to the National Assembly.

“In spite of recommendations made to the presidency, no effect has been given to the extant proposal on the need to give more funds to the states and local governments because that is where the citizens reside. The PGF further recommends that powers to alter the revenue allocation formula currently with the presidency should be vested in the National assembly,” they said.

Finally, the communiqué praised the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) for registering the APC in the overall interest of the nation.

The governors have expressed confidence in the interim leadership of the APC and in its ongoing efforts to develop a healthy relationship among members. 
Source: Premium Times