I Don’t Believe In True Federalism, Says Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said that those agitating for true federalism are ignorant of the concept.

Obasanjo who made this statement during a tour to promote his new book, ‘Making Africa Work’, told his interviewers: “I don’t believe in true federalism. What is true federalism?”

“Why are they (the states) not accountable? What powers do they not have? They have power.

“In fact, state governors are more powerful than the president. That’s the truth.

“(So) if anybody tells you they want devolution or true federalism, he doesn’t know what he is talking.”

Obasanjo insisted that some of those agitating for the sovereign state of Biafra do not know what the (Biafra) struggle is all about.

He, however, admitted that “the government’s military intervention – in the secessionist agitation – have “made things worse”.

“All youth in Nigeria have legitimate reasons to feel frustrated and angry,” he said.

“The protesters don’t even know what the struggle is all about, but if it gives them false hope, why not hang onto it?

“Let the elders handle it (the secessionist agitations) or ignore it until it loses momentum. There are elders in any community who are still respected… After all, they’re their fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, and can still be used effectively.”

He also said President Muhammadu Buhari has not done “enough” in the area of youth employment, especially with regards to sustainability.

“Is Buhari doing enough about it (youth employment)? I don’t believe he is. Can he do enough about it? Of course he can.

“He (Buhari) has tried to keep on going in the area of agribusiness, but not enough. It is not yet enough to prepare the ground for uninhibited growth of the economy, which we need.

“Youth empowerment, skill acquisition and youth employment – education must be able to do that. If you do that, the ticking bomb of possible youth explosion out of restiveness and anger will subside.”