President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, passed the buck over the demands for restructuring, espousing of true federalism and devolution of powers to the National Assembly, pointing out that they were issues requiring constitutional amendment.
The President spoke while hosting members of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), led by Co-Chairmen, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson Supo Ayokunle, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He, however, pointed out that the National Assembly had already gone far with the required amendment of sections of the Constitution and noted that his position on devolving more power to the people had not changed.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari said “on the contentious issue of restructuring or true federalism or devolution of powers, like you all know, this is a constitutional matter with which only the National Assembly can deal.
“I remain an unapologetic believer in devolving power to the people and that is why I signed the Executive Order granting autonomy to State Legislature and Judiciary. Unfortunately, this was met with some resistance at the state level and led to a more than two months strike action that has cost the country a lot of pain.
“Luckily the National Assembly has nearly completed the constitutional review process, which I hope would address some of the burning issues agitating the minds of our people,” he said.
