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Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said that most of the politicians calling for true federalism in Nigeria do not understand the concept.
He said that even the governor’s calling for it had failed to follow the ideals of true federalism because most have them have refused to conduct local government elections.
He made the remarks while presenting a lecture on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan on Friday, titled “Psychology and the Change Agenda”.
Shittu said: “A lot of people from the Southwest especially the state governments have been making repeated calls for true federalism. But, it is always a problem to define what true federalism means.
“Among the state governors making the call for true federalism are those who have not conducted local government elections. They have refused to conduct the election that would make them autonomous. They have always been appointing caretaker chairmen for the councils.”
He also said: “A lot of times, most of the resources of the local governments are controlled by these state governments. What examples are they giving? They should first provide good examples in their various states before clamouring for true federalism.”
The minister said the change mantra of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari “is now widely known within and outside Nigeria. The change is expected to cover all spheres to cover all spheres of life.”
In his welcome address, the Head of the department, Prof. Benjamin Ehigie, listed several achievements of the department, particularly in the last 10 years.
He said: “For the decade that has just passed, the department has recorded lots of achievements. Apart from those already mentioned, the department has produced 11 first class graduates, the 2015 winner of “Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria” pageant, Miss Unoaku Temitope Anyadike and many others.