Elder statesman and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has called for the decentralization of power within Nigeria’s federal system as a means to address the nation’s economic challenges.
George, a former military governor of Ondo State, made this assertion on Friday during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM.
He decried the worsening economic conditions under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and criticized its policies, which he described as unpopular and ineffective.
Speaking on the program, George emphasized the need for equitable power distribution between the federal, state, and local governments to enhance resource management and alleviate hardship for Nigerians.
“Democracy is about the people; the needs and wants of the people. It is defined as the management of the resources of the land for the benefit of the people.
That is why in every state, you have three levels of government, three equal arms of government: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary,” he said.
“Yet, it is so hard that we are still tumbling and rumbling. Look at the state of the country. The president tells us to hold on, promising to fix things, yet people are suffering. Nigerians are hungry and angry.”
George also criticized the 1999 Constitution for concentrating power and resource allocation at the federal level, likening it to military rule.
He argued that this centralization undermines the principle of federalism and hampers effective governance at the grassroots.
“We have been talking and howling. I have been in the military and civil life, and I can see the differences.
“The way a military organization is run is different from how a democratic government should be run. Everything we do now, you run to Abuja. It is Abuja (the Presidency) that will cut the cake and start sharing things from A to B. It is not working. It cannot work,” George stated.
He further lamented the interference of the federal government in local government affairs, arguing that the current system does not allow for efficient resource utilization.
On security, the PDP chieftain reiterated the need for the establishment of state and local policing systems to address Nigeria’s growing insecurity challenges.
According to him, decentralized policing will ensure the protection of lives and property more effectively.
George also criticized key federal agencies, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and lamented the country’s unreliable power supply, which he said is exacerbated by frequent grid collapses.
The elder statesman urged the federal government to revisit the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, particularly those addressing resource-sharing formulas.
He recalled that the conference proposed reducing the weight assigned to population and equality of states in the revenue-sharing formula.
George also called on lawmakers across the country to prioritize utilizing Nigeria’s resources for the benefit of the people, urging them to reject policies that perpetuate economic hardship.
“Instead of asking Nigerians to endure, the government should take decisive action to implement policies that will ease the suffering of the masses,” George added.
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