Though Akanbi agreed that the recommendations of the Confab report were noteworthy, he said elected representatives, that is legislators, were those empowered to propose such amendments cum recommendations.
Speaking in Ibadan, on Thursday, he said what was required was amendments to the constitution, a process that had been started by the current National Assembly.
He allayed fears that the process might amount to an exercise in futility, especially at the termination of the current National Assembly.
“Confab report is fantastic. I have gone through it. But, our fathers and leaders that brought about the report were not elected by Nigerians. The Senate/House of Representatives are those elected as representatives by the Nigerian populace as a whole. So, amendment is what we need and it is only the bicameral house that can do it. The legislators are the persons empowered to make amendments,” Akanbi argued.
On calls for restructuring, Akanbi expressed support for federalism that accommodates devolution of powers to states.
He added that devolution of powers, evident in regional government os of the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, yielded remarkable developments in states and the country, at large.
Responding on his political ambition in 2019, Akanbi said he was still interested in being governor of the state, but noted that such declaration depended on his constituents among other considerations.
“I am just two years into government as a Senator. I am still serving my people. Whatever I want to become after 2019 depends on my people and my contribution to the society.”
“I am not in a rush. I have tried to become governor before, and that shows that I am interested. But, I have not declared to anybody. I am watching and waiting. The important thing is that I am a Senator now and I want to bring dividends of democracy to my people through bills, motions and empowerment programmes,” Akanbi said.
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