Former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari, has urged the Federal Government to decentralize power to accelerate growth and development in Nigeria.
Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program on Channels Television, Gambari argued that the excessive concentration of power at the federal level hinders the nation’s progress.
“We need to decentralize power. The central government has too much control,” Gambari said. He emphasized that decentralization doesn’t necessarily mean creating more states or local governments but allowing states to take charge of sectors like education and agriculture.
He attributed the centralization of power to prolonged military rule, which entrenched a system where military heads of state appointed governors and centralized authority. “Now, in a democracy, we need to revisit this structure. Matters that don’t need to be on the exclusive or concurrent lists should be removed,” he added.
Strengthening Local Governments
Gambari also highlighted the need to strengthen local government authorities, noting that local government autonomy is a step in the right direction but insufficient without improving their capacity and governance processes.
“Autonomy is not just about money. If local governments lack capacity and credible leadership, even substantial funding will be wasted,” he said, urging reforms to enhance their functionality and impact.
Nigeria’s Role in Africa and Global Relevance
The elder statesman underscored the importance of Nigeria’s unity and progress, describing it as essential to Africa’s future. He cited a United Nations projection that Nigeria will become the world’s most populous country by 2050, highlighting the nation’s potential influence on global affairs.
“It’s not too late. By God’s grace, Nigeria will thrive. The Almighty has a purpose for placing this number of people here, and we cannot be ignored in the world,” Gambari said, expressing optimism about the country’s resilience and potential.
