Bishop Tunde Adeleye of Anglican Communion DIocese of Calabar has said that Only true federalism, not confederation, will profoundly curb incessant political agitations such as the ongoing Biafra and Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) insistence on independence.
Adeleye stated this in his new Year message to nigerians during an interactive session with journalists at the church headquarters.
He emphasised that there is too much power at the centre which makes it too attractive to politicians to the neglect of the people.
“This ongoing agitation is needless. It would have been very unnecessary if Nigeria had agreed to run true federalism.
“Federal power should be decentralised. This would discourage politicians from employing strange skills to win elections. The centre is too attractive and too powerful. Each state should be allowed to have its own police, run its education, economic and socio-political systems. Only abandefence and foreign policies should be handled by the federal government.
“States should control their own natural resources. This way, federal government would have lesser problems to grapple with, and the people would have a sense of belonging.”
He called on the federal government to listen to and address the grievances of the IPOB, so that it does not explode beyond the present.
Adeleye emphasized that the country and her leadership truly needs prayer from all, and encouraged the Buhari-led government to continue with it avowed battle against corruption as it would brush up image the country.
“In all the challenges faced by the country, God really has a finger. It is God that has saved us otherwise surviving the electoral tension has been a big achievement.”
He advised that the APC government should further adopt a welfarist approach to its governance and ensure regular payment of salaries, availability of drugs in hospitals, foods and power.
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