Nigeria’s federalism lacks equity, fairness, justice, says Ekiyor

·        Declares Ogoniland clean up a ruse

·        Says Buhari’s govt thrives on propaganda

Former leader of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr. Chris Ekiyor has decried the current skewed nature of Nigeria’s Federalism saying that it is the reason why the country’s operational system has failed.

Dr. Chris Ekiyor

Ekiyor, an environmental activist and immediate past commissioner of commerce and industry in Delta State made the declaration while fielding questions from journalists in Asaba on Saturday, 10/12/2012.

He said it is an irony that America that Nigeria copied the Federal system from is engaged in the practice of untainted federalism with every state in the union being autonomous and independent in their own internal arrangement, almost like a country within a country.

Pointing out that in Nigeria the reverse is the case, he said the Federal Government of Nigeria is the biggest thief as it forcefully appropriates what belongs to the states, giving them pittance in form of revenue allocation, Ekiyor criticized the Federal Government for also forcing the business community to pay all forms of taxes while the government has failed to provide the necessary infrastructure for use by the people.

He said: “I support the integration of Nigeria in a restructured manner. But the institutional framework of Nigeria currently is wrong. True federalism must be practiced in Nigeria. Let every state develop its resources to makes its money, while the Federal Government collects tax from us based on our GDP. That’s how it should be. Government is about fairness, equity and justice; all of this is lacking in the running of Nigeria. Our federalism has been a vicious circle because the operational system of our system is failed one.”

On the much publicized clean up of Ogoni land, Dr. Ekiyor said the project is a ruse. “Buhari’s government is one that thrives on propaganda.”

In answer to a question on the Governor Okowa administration, Ekiyor said: “There are areas where he is doing well, and there are other areas where the people’s expectations are not being met.”

On current development at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSITH) where he is a member of the governing council, he said “We are making progress. We met it in crisis and we are working to resolve the crisis.”

Asked why he chose not to be in active politics, he said he is in politics, and a card carrying member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but that he chose to be a political unionist. Why that? He said: “If you are not mad you can’t do politics in Nigeria. They have animal instincts in them.”