2027: I’ll Devolve More Powers To States To Tackle Insecurity, Mining, Other Challenges — Makinde

Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has promised to devolve more powers to state governments if elected president, saying states must be given greater responsibility to tackle insecurity and other challenges.

ADVERTISE HERE:
[email protected]

Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday at the APM Northwest Consultative Meeting in Daura, Katsina State, after meeting party candidates and stakeholders in the geopolitical zone, according to a press statement made available to newsmen by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor.

He said his administration would reset Nigeria’s political system by determining the level of government best positioned to take decisions on issues affecting the people.

According to him, more responsibilities should be transferred to the states, with the Federal Government retaining oversight where necessary.

Makinde specifically called for mining to be devolved to the states, arguing that they would perform better if given greater responsibility while the Federal Government retains oversight.

He linked the proposal to the deaths of 37 young people in Niger State, saying the country needed to address the demand side of insecurity.

“We need to focus on the demand side. Legitimise the operation. Right now, you have in our constitution, on the exclusive list, the issue of mining. Devolve that responsibility to the states and let there be oversight only at the federal level. They will do better,” he said.

The APM candidate also promised to reset the economy, education, health and security sectors, saying Nigeria’s economy must operate round the clock to become competitive.

He said the country needed to combine its natural resources with entrepreneurship, skills, knowledge and intensive production to build an economy that works for Nigerians.

Makinde further promised to obey the Constitution if elected president, particularly on the transmission of power whenever he is unavailable.

Citing Section 145 of the Constitution, he said he would transmit power to the Vice-President whenever he was on vacation or otherwise unable to perform his duties.

“I promise you that as your president, I will follow the constitution to the letter. If I am not going to be available, if I am on vacation, I will transmit power to the vice-president. Record this and hold me accountable,” he said.

The meeting was attended by APM Vice-Presidential Candidate, Lawal Daura; National Chairman, Yusuff Mamman Dantale; members of the National Working Committee, candidates across the six Northwest states and other party stakeholders.