The former vice President Atiku Abubakar, has came down hard on President Muhamnadu Buhari led administration saying the government has not learnt from the past administrations on how to the challenges facing the country as regard the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta and that of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the public presentation of a book titled “we are all Biafrians”, the former vice president said the current “federal government is too big, and too powerful relative to the federating states. That situation needs to change, and calling for that change is patriotic.”
Atiku, however called for re-negociation of the country’s unity, saying virtually every section of Nigeria feels marginalized – “meaning they believe that other segments of society are prospering in ways they are not.”
when asked to comment on the crisis of farmers/herdsmen in some part of the country and the efforts putting in place by the current administration to solve the problem, Atiku said: “Again, here we come back to the same economy challenges that are facing the country but we also have leadership that is not prepare to learn from the past and the leadership that is not prepare to lead.”
On the state of the economy, the former vice president asked Nigerians to be patience with President Buhari, saying the government has been able to tackle the issue of Boko Haram insurgency.
“First, a smaller, leaner federal government with reduced responsibilities. This means devolution of powers and resources to states and local governments. State and local governments should control education, health, agriculture, roads and other infrastructure.
“A true federal system will allow the federating states to keep their resources while the federal government retains the power of taxation and regulatory authority over standards. The result will be a political and governmental system that empowers local authorities and gives them greater autonomy to address peculiar local issues, while enhancing accountability and contributing to the general good of the country. Such a robust federal system would reduce the tensions that are built into our current over-centralized system.
“Second, autonomy for the component states and localities to determine their development priorities and wage structures. For instance, there is no reason for the governor of Akwa Ibom State to earn the same salary as the Governor of Benue State or for a teacher in Orlu to earn the same salary as the one in Abuja or Port Harcourt. The costs of living and revenue generating capacities vary widely across the country.
“Third, a tax-centred revenue base. Modern democracies derive their revenues from taxation whether or not they have fossil fuels and other natural resources – personal income tax, property tax, sales tax, corporate tax, licences, and duties. Taxation is a sustainable revenue base and one that compels governments to promote increased economic activities, and respond to the demands of their tax paying citizens.”
Speaking on the motive of the author, the book reviewer Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, said the book is never about the breaking up of the country rather the author is very passionate about the unity and oneness of Nigeria.
According to him, the book is an appeal to all Nigerians to embrace a country where equality, fairness and justice rules on her affairs.
