Sanwo-Olu queries FG’s control of Lagos waterways
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says that it is anomalous for a federal agency to control the Lagos State waterways, a reason for which he is joining the call for a new Nigerian federal constitution.
The governor was among the dignitaries at the National Constitutional Dialogue, organised by a group of senior citizens called ‘The Patriots’. The event themed ‘Lawful procedures for actualising a People’s Constitution for Nigeria’ was held to honour late constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze.
“How well do we see the anomalies that we have in our country? Why would a federal agency come to control the water in front of Ozumba Mbadiwe? Why would a federal agency of 1,000 kilometers away come to see the needs of my people in Ozumba Mbadiwe? Those are some of the things that we need to take forward and say that indeed we need to have a true federating state and be able to amend this constitution,” Governor Sanwo-Olu reportedly stated at the event.
“We have the opportunity to make those changes now and I stand here to say to you that we are willing to work with you to make those changes,” he added.
Another participant, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said that the extant constitution is “lacks the legitimacy that flows from a democratically made constitution” and “unsuitable for tackling many of the serious challenges confronting our country.”
Anyaoku, a former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, is a staunch advocate of a true federalism in Nigeria.
Other dignitaries at the event included Sen. Aminu Tambuwal and Sen. Gbenga Daniel, both of whom are former governors of Sokoto and Ogun States respectively.
Equally in attendance are former Ekiti, Rivers, Ogun, Cross Rivers, Delta; Akwa Ibom and Osun state governors, namely Kayode Fayemi; Rotimi Amaechi; Ibikunle Amosun; Donald Duke; James Ibori; Victor Attah; and Rauf Aregbesola.
