By Daniel Edu
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has proposed potential solutions to address the current economic challenges facing President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking at the public presentation of the book “Court and Politics” authored by Dr. Umar Ardo, Obasanjo, represented by former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, identified a lack of productivity among Nigerians and mismanagement of resources as contributors to the ongoing hardship.
Obasanjo recommended the devolution of power and resources from the federal government to state and local governments as a means to enhance resource management. Emphasizing the need for decentralization, he suggested that transferring certain responsibilities from the federal to state and local levels would result in more effective governance and competition reduction at the central level.
He stated, “24 years of practising the presidential system is not enough. The important thing is to devolve power and resources to the states and certain jobs from the federal to state and local governments.”
Shehu Musa Gabam, Chairman of the book launch committee and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), echoed concerns about challenges in Nigeria’s politics and electoral processes. He highlighted the issue of courts basing judgments on technicalities rather than factual issues and emphasized the need for unity and courage among Nigerians to advocate for the right actions from authorities. Gabam encouraged citizens to speak out and resist cowardice in the pursuit of positive change.
