Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Monday appealed to the Federal Government to take necessary steps to make governance at the centre less attractive to politicians.

Atiku stated this in Ado-Ekiti when he inaugurated the Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe General Hospital built by the outgoing Ekiti State government to mark its fourth year in office.

He suggested that the federal government could reduce the rush for power at the centre by devolving some of its powers which he described as too enormous.

He advised the federal government to limit itself with issues relating to defence and foreign affairs among a few other responsibilities.

He said other sectors including health, education and agriculture should be left for the state governments to manage.

Atiku advised that more resources and funds should also be ceded to the states to make them more functional. “The Federal Government as it is constituted presently is too powerful; some of the responsibilities being supervised by it can be better handled by the states.

“For instance, what is the federal government’s business in agriculture when it does not even own any piece of land of its own.

“Why is the federal government still involved in health matters when most of the health responsibilities are undertaken by the states,” he said.

Atiku said if the federal government would be courageous to hands-off some the powers currently under its control, it would be less attractive to politicians.

The former Vice President commended the foresight of Governor Kayode Fayemi in building the hospital, saying it showed his concern for the welfare of Ekiti people.

Earlier in an address of welcome, Fayemi said his administration decided to build the hospital to fulfill his electioneering campaign promises.

He said the need for a new Oba Adejugbe General Hospital arose because the former General Hospital was converted to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

http://www.pijango..com/2014/10/atiku-appeals-to-federal-government-to.html

Atiku go and rest

One key policy that will reduce the attraction at the centre and hence the presidency is devolution

Will Atiku support devolution?

Atiku should have made these points to the just concluded national conference.

How ? By reducing their level of looting so that there will be left over for him if eventually he win? SMH

Wow! If Atiku rily sed dis den dat is d wisest tin he has eva sed as a man and he just mite get my attention...and if possible, he mite even win my vote in 2015.

Atiku well don o

mikeansy:
One key policy that will reduce the attraction at the centre and hence the presidency is devolution

Will Atiku support devolution?

Do you really think he meant what he said?

No doubt about the fact that Obj has succeeded in discouraging the electorates from appreciating Atiku but to be honest with u he has the will and ability to turn Nigeria around.

Good advice but we want it to go beyond presidency. Let it apply to all elective and appointed political office holders in Nigeria

drauj:
No doubt about the fact that Obj has succeeded in discouraging the electorates from appreciating Atiku but to be honest with u he has the will and ability to turn Nigeria around.

Big story! Turn which Nigeria around!? After he had enjoyed all the powers of the presidency in his time now he wants those same powers to be removed. Why!?

Why must we only and always focus on the presidency? What about the other elective positions? Making the presidency less attractive is good but is not, in my opinion, the only arm we should make less attractive. The legistlature at federal and state level should made more less attractive than even the presidency because, to me, a gigantic number of people in those places are not their to serve their constituents but to ensure their stomachs are well structured, #StomachInfracture. That's the sure way we will be able to know those who there to serve sincerely. Inasmuch as we clamour for devolution of powers to states is a good idea, we should remember that the local government is closest to the grassroot, therefore, we must also clamour for devolution of powers from states to local governments to make the office of the governor less attractive. In a nutshell, ALL elective positions should be made less attractive.