A senior advocate harps that true federalism will up development in the country.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) has expressed concerns over the type of systems practiced in Nigeria, lamenting that Nigeria is the only nation resisting true federalism among the nations practicing democracy worldwide. He asserts that Nigeria will achieve accelerated development if it adopts federalism and democracy fully. Chief Olanipekun remarked that he was in support of some state governors stalemating the passage of the amendment bill noting that the governors stand in the insistence that the State Police must be approved for subnational stratum. This was geared to stem the tide of insurgency, killings, and kidnappings in the country.
This was made known in his hometown while presenting over N30 million in cash gifts to students, youths, aged, and widows, to mark the 2022 edition of Wole Olanipekun Scholarship and Empowerment. Speaking about the current state of the nation, Chief Olanipekun said the stalemate in the Constitution Amendment is as a result of reservations expressed by some governors opposing the passage of the bill state police is approved, which is viewed as state autonomy.
Center police control system is failing the country.
The chief explains that Nigeria is the only country that practices democracy, where only one Police Formation exists and is being controlled from the country’s state capital, Abuja FCT, which he believes that the central control system is falling in Nigeria. He emphasized that taking a look at the country’s vast land mass from Calabar to Kaura Namoda, from Bayelsa to Borno and the large size of the southwest, it cannot possibly be secured by the federal police only.
Furthermore, chief Olanipekun made an example of the system being practiced in London, stating that London has the London Metropolitan Police, whereas Harvard University also has the Harvard University Police Department. He mentioned that the country is also facing challenges in the legal profession which has begun under Gen Sanni Abacha’s administration. Chief Olanipekun said Abacha took all the jurisdictional powers of the State High Courts to the Federal High Courts through Decree 7 of 1994. That was said to be the beginning of the problem in Nigeria’s legal profession.
The senior advocate supports the governors’ reservation.
He explained that the system, where the Jurisdiction of the State High Courts is subject to the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Courts, even when the Federal High Courts were mere revenue courts is a fallacy and can’t work for the country. Additionally, Chief Olanipekun remarked that the governor’s perceptions were clear considering the fact that what they sought is within an ideal democratic situation and not utopian, as he also firmly supported the governors’ reservations.
Speaking about the Scholarship and Empowerment Schemes, Chief Olanipekun revealed that a total of 1,475 persons had benefited from the scholarship and empowerment schemes in 2021, and further urged the youths and students to shun Internet Fraud, Kidnapping, Ritual Killing, and other vices to safeguard their future. He said the schemes were conceptualized by him 26 years ago with the primary aim to eradicate poverty, liberate the people, and propel education among the children of the poor.
Stressing the significant value of the scheme.
Ultimately, the legal Icon urged the new Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji to prioritize the development of the state’s Infrastructure, Education and Internal Security sectors by strengthening Amotekun Corps to provide adequate security and rejuvenate the economy. Governor Oyebanji lauded chief Olanipekun’s scheme and promised to also replicate a similar scheme in his Ikogosi Ekiti country home to empower humanity. Also, a Professor of Botany, Prof. Dele Olowokudejo, stressed the importance of empowering Nigerian youths educationally and technically noting that it will enable them to shun vices.
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Of course it is obvious from all indication that we don’t practice true federalism in Nigeria. If it is fully adopted, it will lead to quicker development of the nation.
True federalism is the best bet that could have really helped our country not centralising power to the center alone whereby decisions are made but still at the detriments of the states such is the security issue where each state needs autonomous power to have its own police that could have truly helped during this insecurity era.
We already know this. Federalism will help in even allocation of resources for states. But then we have been practicing this federalism for a long time and still we haven’t developed yet. I hope we become more intuitive in the way we use our resources.
If the country seriously need to progress and stand with the developed nations of the world lots of quick decision need to be made because the only way the masses can enjoy true dividend of democracy is through federalism.
It is quite clear that our government are not practicing true federalism. What we are seeing is nepotism, sectionalism etc. but no true federalism, how can there be peace. For Nigeria to develop there is the need to allow true federalism.
Our government is not ready for any change due to their selfish interest. government is not ready to practice true federalism.
we should have voiced worry over the nature of the institutions in place, regretting that, of all the democracies in the world, Nigeria is the only one that refuses to embrace true federalism.
We should back the vetoing of the amendment bill by a few state governors because those governors are right to request that the State Police be granted subnational status.
the significance of providing educational opportunities and technical training to young people in Nigeria, pointing out that doing so will enable them to avoid engaging in risky behaviors.
The constitutional amendment has stalled because several governors have expressed concerns about the approval of state police, which is seen as a violation of state sovereignty.
Considering the size of the country, the federal police alone simply cannot guarantee safety in places like Calabar, Kaura Namoda, Bayelsa, Borno, and the vast southwest.
the field of law that have been initiated by Gen. Sani Abacha’s government. In a Decree, according to Chief Olanipekun, Abacha transferred all of the State High Courts’ jurisdiction to the Federal High Courts.
The government is responsible for providing proper security and revitalizing the economy, and one official has promised to implement a program with similar goals in his native Ikogosi Ekiti country in order to empower people.
As far as he is aware, Nigeria is the only democracy in the world with only a single Police Formation, which reports directly to the state capital of Abuja FCT.
its good he conceived of the plans with the primary intention of putting an end to poverty, freeing the people, and encouraging education among the children of the poor.
Federalism is the only method for the masses to experience the true dividend of democracy, therefore many rapid decisions are needed if the country seriously needs to progress and stand alongside the developed nations of the globe.
Federalism is the best bet that could have really helped our country not centralising power to the center alone whereby decisions are made.
Federalism will really help in growth and improve our country but it should have been put into practice so it will have amend things, share of power not centralizing power
One official has offered to develop a program with similar goals in his native Ikogosi Ekiti country in order to empower people, with the government’s responsibility being to provide sufficient security and to revitalize the economy.
Chief Wole Olanipekun’s worries about the systems used in Nigeria are valid. Actually, if Nigeria genuinely embraces federalism and democracy, it will experience faster progress.
Federalism is the only way for the general populace to truly benefit from democracy, hence swift action is required if the country is to advance and compete with the world’s developed nations.