True Federalism, Not New States Will Fix Nigeria — Senator Gershom Bassey

By NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, Calabar

Immediate past Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District at the upper chamber of the National Assembly and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator Gershom Bassey, has declared that true federalism, not creation of new states, will fix Nigeria's challenges.

Speaking during a media chat with journalists in Calabar, the former law maker said the country should jettison agitations for restructuring and state creation and embrace true Federalism.

He said, "True federalism and devolution of power in line with the provisions of the present constitution,"describing the clamour for new states as "a tedious constitutional requirement to be met" that will not solve the nation's fundamental problems.

The two-term lawmaker argued that what Nigeria needs more urgently is patriotism. According to him, Nigerians must "exhibit the spirit of patriotism in whatever they do to build a great nation they will be proud of," adding that faithful implementation of the constitution would address most of the grievances driving agitations.

He maintained that genuine commitment to true federalism will do more for national unity, equity and development than carving out more states. He noted that devolution of powers to the federating units as already provided in the constitution, if patriotically implemented, remains the practical pathway to stability.

Bassey applied the same principle to national projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which he said is capable of transforming Cross River State and "should be supported by all stakeholders." 

He added that "the public, private partnership component in the management of the coastal highway, when fully operational, will ensure its sustainability."

On Cross River State, he said an objective assessment shows Governor Bassey Otu has "drastically reduced insecurity in the state especially kidnapping" and lauded the move to secure 300 oil wells, saying it "would turn around the fortunes of the state." On national policies.

He described President Tinubu's reforms as "painful" and questioned "the approach used in its implementation," while supporting state police to complement federal police, provided "measures must be put in place to forestall possible abuses by the state governors."