Former BoT member and Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure a comprehensive restructuring of the country. George who made this statement on Saturday, July 13, 2024, commended the Apex Court on its judgment on Local Government autonomy, and said the judiciary has, “once again, demonstrated that it is the last hope of the common man.” Gorge in a statement, urged the President to ensure a total “overhaul of the polity.”

The statement reads: “Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment stopping State Governments from retaining and using funds meant for the third tier of government – councils – is not only victory for democracy but a big boost for Nigeria’s political and economic development.”

The apex court was specific and explicit in its verdict: Allocations to Local Governments must be paid directly from the Federation Account to councils governed by democratically elected officials.

“The judiciary has, once again, proved that it is the last hope of the common man. This courageous verdict from the apex court will have far-reaching implications for the growth of democracy in the world’s most populous black country and Africa’s biggest democracy.

This courageous judgment will also strengthen democratic principles at the local level and foster transparency.”

“I also read President Bola Tinubu’s statement hailing the verdict and talking about restructuring.
I want to advise the President that he must go further because what Nigerians want is a complete overhaul of the polity. That is the only way Nigeria can work. Nigerians want total restructuring.

This will lead to decentralization of power, fortify our democracy, and ensure that dividends of democracy reach all Nigerians anywhere they may be in the country.”

He continued, “For any country to develop, there must be a strategic plan for a Bottom-Up Approach to governance, not the other way round. We cannot be doing the same thing, over and over again, and expect another result.”

“The PDP leader said that in many developed countries, how many airports – international and local – are controlled by the Central Government? Jackson Airport in Atlanta, the United States (U.S.) is one of the busiest and most profitable airports globally. It is controlled by the Atlanta City Council. What of Seaports?

A major challenge in Nigeria is that almost everything is overcentralized. This is the right time to rejig our Constitution in full.”

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