By Agboola Bayo
Ibadan
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday declared that Nigeria’s disintegration can only be averted through devolution of power and self-determination in the nation’s governance model.
Afenifere stated this in a press release signed by its National Chairman, Hon. Olawale Oshun made available to journalists in Ibadan.
According to the group, it is glaring that “full devolution of power to the constituent units in Nigeria, including corresponding fiscal powers and resource control,” could further sustain the unity of Nigeria.
“Since the country had continued to decline by all human development and good governance standards, we ask for full devolution of powers. To delay it any further is to court further disaster and disintegration. A word is enough for the wise,” it said.
The group maintained that “the wisdom now on display in the United Kingdom on devolution of power and self-determination would be brought urgently to play in the country’s governance model. The United Kingdom, our erstwhile colonial master, recognises that a union of a multi-national and multi religious groups must of necessity listen and hearken to the voices of its component parts, were it to remain a great and indivisible unit,”.
Afenifere noted that “consequently, the United Kingdom had consistently, since 1921 till 2012, been devolving powers to the constituent units”, adding, “cumulatively the Anglo- Irish Act 1921, the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Wales Act 1998 and the Scotland Act 1998 all had the effect of devolving powers to the constituent units such that direct rule from the British Parliament came to an end.
Emphasizing that “additional powers were devolved to Wales in 2006 and to Scotland in 2012,”the group maintained that “the World would wake up on September 19 to the outcome of the Scotland referendum and it is thrilling that it is taking place “at this critical time in the life of our country, Nigeria.
“Even though the English population is about 53 million and the Scottish people just about 5.5 million, it is a powerful statement that the UK is not harping on population and it is not compelling Scotland to remain within the Union. Instead, it allows the Scots to decide what they want,” he said.
