Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says the Federal Government cannot supervise State or Local Governments as the Constitution prescribes a federal and not unitary system of government.
Oshiomhole spoke yesterday when he granted audience to Hon Ifaluyi Isibor, the Federal Commissioner representing Edo State in the Federal Character Commission.
He said: “I believe Edo people will expect you to ensure the interest of the people of Edo State is very well represented in Federal appointments. We are in a federation, Edo State is not a subordinate.
Oshiomhole said, “I am accountable not to the Federal Government, I am accountable to the people of Edo State. Our Local Government is not accountable to me as the Governor of Edo State, Our Local Government are accountable to the people of their locality. That is the logic of the Federal system.
Oshiomhole argued that “to think that a Local Government that is not under the supervision of the Federal Government will have to convince you about the genuineness of their appointments and projects is to mistakenly assume that we are in a unitary system of government.
“So for any person in Abuja to think he will come as a general overseer to ask the Local Governments to open their books is not acceptable.”
Oshiomhole advised the Federal Government to recognize the principles of federalism adding that “you don’t appoint a federal agent to come and supervise me.”
He emphasized that he was elected by the Edo People and he is only accountable to Edo People.
He however said, “We are co-managers of the economy and we go to Abuja to coordinate and collaborate but not as Federal Government being my supervisor. The Federal Government is not the supervisor of states. The location of projects is purely as approved by Edo State House of Assembly, not the National Assembly”.
The Governor argued, “I think there is a fundamental error. Maybe because the Federal Character Commission came into existence under military government and they were not aware that the country is not like a barrack where you have the commander who dishes out the orders”.
Oshiomhole said: “To ask me, elected by the Edo people to open the books of the state to a federal agency, we will challenge it in court. The Federal Government cannot supervise my Local Governments or any of my ministries.
“I believe that that law offends the fundamentals of the Nigerian Constitution. Even as Governor here, our Local Government has certain responsibilities which I must respect. Just restrain yourselves to whom you are, the Federal Character Commission appointed by the Federal Government, not nominated by Edo People.”
He advised the Commission to look into operations of federal agencies in the state.
Earlier, the Federal Commissioner representing Edo in the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Isibor said he was in the Government House to brief the Governor on the activities and responsibilities of the Commission.
He said: the commission is to establish gaps and develop monitoring framework to address the identified gaps. This is to allow for even development in terms of distribution of amenities, empowerment programmes, schemes, educational programmes, housing and health facilities etc. The commission is therefore ready to ensure that all MDAs do not only reflect
federal character (equity) in their programmes and activities, but also in the distribution of infrastructural facilities and socio-economic amenities in all tiers in the federation.”
He continued: “I solicit Your Excellency’s maximum cooperation to direct all Local Government councils and stakeholders to key into this exercise by liaising with the Federal Character Commission, Edo State office. In this regard, all Local Government Chairmen, Chief Executive officers of all MDAs, parastatals and Government-owned institutions in Edo State are expected to visit the state office of the commission.”
