Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the federal government to allow states to develop at their own pace, saying it is high time the country’s system of federalism allowed for the diversity of Nigeria to be reflected in the development of its states.
The governor who made the call on Friday during the commissioning of the dualized 12.5 kilometers Challenge – OdoOna Elewe-Ellebu-Apata road, Ibadan, argued that a one-size-fits-all approach to development will not work in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
Makinde said that each state had its unique needs and resources, adding that they should be allowed to use those resources to develop their own states.
According to him, allowing them to use their resources would lead to more efficient and effective development, adding that it would ultimately benefit the entire country.
He noted that the approach would encourage competition and innovation among states, and would lead to more effective use of resources.
“Let me use this opportunity to talk about the meeting we had a few days ago. We the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including my brother here, we met in Abuja and one of the key issues we discussed is economic hardship our people are facing.
“Our focus at this time is helping our people overcome the challenges of the times. Some people continue to play politics and tell lies about how things are. I read claims that FAC has doubled for states and local government areas.
“I think it is just a lazy way to situate things. We must be talking about baking a bigger cake. FAC is what everybody is talking about.
“Why are we even going to Abuja in the first instance to share FAC? Were they doing that in the first republic?”
“Well, FAC has moved up from about N6 billion per month to about N8 billion per month, but so also the responsibilities of government,” Makinde posited.
The governor, who named the newly commissioned road as Chief Theophilus Akinyele Way noted that the road construction would cut down travel time by 30 minutes.
