Nigeria won’t break-up — Oba Akiolu •Calls for true federalism as Gov Dickson visits

THE Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has said, returning the country to true federalism will enable federating units  grow at their pace and  place the country on the paths of peace and progress.

He said contrary to insinuations in some quarters that true federalism and devolution of power would breakup the country, they would rather reduce the tension in the land, give a sense of belonging to all federating units and stabilise the country.

The traditional ruler dropped the hint when the Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Lagos, on Wednesday.

According to a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Francis Ottah Agbo, Oba Akiolu congratulated the governor for the developmental strides in Bayelsa and prayed God to continue to help him.

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“I have always supported the call for true federalism. The Federal Government as a father figure should allow the states to have a significant feel of what they produce; that way Nigeria will be stable and peaceful.

“Nigeria shall not break up and no reasonable person wants this country to break up, because it is better we remain together as one country than to split.

“But for all sections of the country to be happy, we all should have a major say in what we produce in our communities. Anything coming from  a particular state, majority of the benefits should go to that same state,” Oba Akiolu said.

He called on the political  leadership of the country at all levels to do what was right for the unity of the country.

Governor Dickson, who thanked the Oba Akiolu for his counsel, urged traditional rulers across the country to support the call for true federalism and devolution of power, adding that it was by so doing that the unity of the country could stand the test of time.