The Senator-elect for Osun East Senatorial District, Prince Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi has berated the federal government on the establishments of regional commissions after violent agitations by some regions in the country.
According to him, this violence induced restructuring is gradually forcing the nation to regional governments.
Fadahunsi said said the Federal Government resorted to creation of regional commissions because of its lack of proactive approach on security of lives and properties of Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe, race, religion or political affiliation.
These arguments were contained in a statement by Fadahunsi’s media assistant, Sam Segun-Progress, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Osogbo on Thursday.
Fadahunsi opined that the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission, the North East Development Commission, the proposed South East commission, the current situation in the North west and central would trigger fresh agitation.
He said, “the establishment of the regional commissions induced by relentless violence is becoming fashionable and encouraging other zones to violence so they can get the attention of government. The agitation that degenerated into violence and decline in oil revenue, gave birth to the Niger Delta Development commission.
The statement recalled the Ogoni crisis which snowballed into the arms struggles by the Niger Delta youths,and the “endless Father Kukah reconciliation commission” which eventually gave birth to the Niger Delta Development Commission and the payment of 13% derivation to the oil producing states
Fadahunsi said Some Northern elites saw the benefits their counterparts in the Niger Delta are enjoying,hence the inspiration to stir up similar agitation in their region.
This attitude, the lawmaker opined is possibly responsible for the emergence of Boko haram which has become a big business to some politicians and military brass from the region.
Boko Haram crisis gave birth to the North East Development Commission,the IPOB and MASSOB gave birth to the proposed South East Development Commission,which has passed second reading in the Senate.
While earning the government at the centre against forcing the nation into regional system of government, Fadahunsi said “the crisis in Kaduna and Zamfara is about to give birth to another commission. The crisis in the North West is taking a new dimension that is likely to spread across the region if the federal government remains indifferent and adamant to calls by well meaning Nigerians”.
According to him, the federal government must as a matter of urgency set up a team that will nip crisis in the bud.
He added that the lackadaisical attitude of government to security matters will continue to create “food for the boys”.
He asked rhetorically that: Must we use violence to get what is due? Must we lose lives and other valuables before we can get what is due? What is the gain of the government ? What is the benefit of using our scarce resources to rebuild ruins .
He added that North Central is due for a similar commission and once they get theirs,the South West may see the development commission as reward for violence,some boys may rise up to seek for their own share of the proverbial “national cake”
He therefore called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency put machinery in motion into restructuring the country, so that agitations can be addressed and carnages can be reduced and stopped.
Leave a Reply