Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to implement comprehensive restructuring in Nigeria, following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Local Government autonomy.
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Praising the judiciary’s decision, George described the verdict as a landmark victory for democracy and a significant step forward for Nigeria’s political and economic progress.
He called on President Tinubu to capitalize on this momentum to overhaul the country’s governance structure.
In a statement released on Saturday, George said, “the Supreme Court’s judgment on Thursday, which prevents State Governments from withholding and using funds allocated to Local Governments, is a major triumph for democracy and a crucial advancement for Nigeria’s development. The court’s ruling was clear: allocations to Local Governments must be directly disbursed from the Federation Account to councils with democratically elected officials.”
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He lauded the judiciary for reaffirming its role as the protector of the common man and noted that the verdict would have extensive implications for the strengthening of democracy in Nigeria.
Referring to President Tinubu’s support for the verdict and his advocacy for restructuring, George advised, “the President must go further. Nigerians are calling for a complete overhaul of the political system. That is the only way Nigeria can function effectively. Total restructuring is what the people want.”
George emphasized the necessity of decentralizing power to enhance democracy and ensure that its benefits are widely distributed.
He pointed out that many developed nations employ a Bottom-Up Approach to governance and encouraged Nigeria to adopt a similar model.
“In numerous developed countries, the central government does not control all airports, both international and local. For example, Jackson Airport in Atlanta, one of the world’s busiest and most profitable airports, is managed by the Atlanta City Council,” he explained.
“In Nigeria, over-centralization is a significant issue.”
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George also highlighted the disparity in the number of local governments across states, citing Lagos and Kano as examples.
He argued for allowing states to determine their local government structures instead of adhering to a uniform standard.
He concluded by calling for a new Nigeria, where development begins at the grassroots level, and advocated for a thorough revision of the Constitution.
“The Supreme Court has initiated the change. Now is the perfect time to completely revamp our Constitution,” he stated.
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