Nigeria’s Northern Govs Demand True Federalism

Governors of four northern states on Tuesday, called for the practice of true federalism in the country.

The Governors are Dr Muázu Babangida of Niger, Dr Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Dr Rabiú Kwankwaso of Kano and Alhaji Murtala Nyako of Adamawa states.

The governors made the call in Port Harcourt in a communiqué jointly signed by them after a solidarity visit to Governor Chibuike Amaechi in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, southsouth Nigeria.

The communiqué said that the current political crisis in Rivers had shown the importance of true federalism and the need for institutions to function freely without undue interference.

According to the communiqué, as federating units; states must be allowed to freely pursue sustainable developments that will improve the living standard of the people as provided by the constitution.

The governors said that they were shocked at the role of the police in the state and condemned its clear partisanship in the fight that took place at the state House of Assembly.

“As Chief Executives of our states who have sworn to protect lives and properties in our various states, we are particularly troubled by the development in Rivers.

“We commend the House of Representatives for its proactive leadership in the crisis and appreciate the Senate committee’s thoroughness in addressing the matter.

“We wish to call on the Inspector General of Police to listen to the voice of reason and immediately redeploy and discipline the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu.

“Mbu’s actions smack of unprofessionalism and political partisanship which is unbecoming of his office.

“With the way the police are being used and abused, and with officers like Mbu in the police, we do not see the need for state governments to fund an antagonistic police.

“We may be forced to reconsider our position on the financial contribution of the states toward the funding of the police in our various states.

“Arising from the actions of the police and Mbu in the state, the call for State Police as a constitutional provision has become a necessity,” the communiqué read.

The governors called on politicians involved in the crisis in the state to stop actions that were capable of overheating the polity and therefore, derail the nation’s democracy.

They claimed that Amaechi had shown maturity and calmness in the face of apparent persecution from his political opponents.