I don't believe in true federalism, says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says he does not
believe in the notion of true federalism.

Proponents of true federalism believe it will help
address the problems of underdevelopment and bad
governance witnessed in the country.

They believe devolving more powers to states will also
put to bay the cries of marginalisation from various
parts of the country.

But Obasanjo thinks such persons “don’t know what
they are talking about”.

“I don’t believe in true federalism. What is true
federalism?”, he said in an interview with African
Arguments.

“Why are they (the states) not accountable? What
powers do they not have? They have power.

“In fact, state governors are more powerful than the
president. That’s the truth.

“(So) if anybody tells you they want devolution or true
federalism, he doesn’t know what he is talking.”

Obasanjo insisted that some of those agitating for the
sovereign state of Biafra do not know what the (Biafra)
struggle is all about.

He, however, admitted that “the government’s military
intervention – in the secessionist agitation – have
“made things worse”.

“All youth in Nigeria have legitimate reasons to feel
frustrated and angry,” he said.

“The protesters don’t even know what the struggle is
all about, but if it gives them false hope, why not hang
onto it?

“Let the elders handle it (the secessionist agitations)
or ignore it until it loses momentum. There are elders
in any community who are still respected… After all,
they’re their fathers and mothers, grandfathers and
grandmothers, and can still be used effectively.”

He also said President Muhammadu Buhari has not
done “enough ” in the area of youth employment,
especially with regards to sustainability.

“Is Buhari doing enough about it (youth employment)?
I don’t believe he is. Can he do enough about it? Of
course he can.

“He (Buhari) has tried to keep on going in the area of
agribusiness, but not enough. It is not yet enough to
prepare the ground for uninhibited growth of the
economy, which we need.

“Youth empowerment, skill acquisition and youth
employment – education must be able to do that. If
you do that, the ticking bomb of possible youth
explosion out of restiveness and anger will subside.”

TheCable