•Says many proposals in tax reform bill make sense
By Oluseye Ojo
Former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said the time has come to remake Nigeria through significant devolution of powers and a re-organisation of the federating units.
Besides, he said many of the proposals contained in the draft tax reform bills before the National Assembly, make sense.
He made the disclosure in the lecture entitled: ‘The Future and the challenges of the Nigerian state’ he delivered during the Yemi Farounbi at 80 Lecture, organised by the Ibadan Discourse Group, comprising friends of Yemi Farounbi, held at the Law Hub, Ring Road, Ibadan.
Farounbi is a former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines and Kingdom of Cambodia. The lecture was chaired by a former Minister of Education, Prof Tunde Adeniran.
Fayemi, who is a Visiting Professor at King’s College, University of London, emphasised that many of the proposals contained in the draft tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly are sound and make sense, particularly regarding revenue collection and sharing.
“The sharing formula should be reviewed in favour of the states, especially given the argument of devolved responsibilities to the sub-nationals,” he stated, warning against the “surreptitious attempt to re-centralise revenue management in a federal entity.
“Remaking Nigeria through devolution of powers and re-organisation of the federating units is an idea whose time has come.”
Fayemi, who advocated a fresh approach to Nigerian politics, suggested that the current electoral system needs reform. “It’s time to begin to look in the direction of what’s commonly known as proportional representation,” he said.
He argued that the shift could prevent the instability being seen in elections where winners dominate despite only securing a fraction of the vote. Fayemi stated that a move toward proportional representation would ensure that all parties are seen as critical stakeholders in the national project, towards fostering stability and cohesion.
He described the restructuring sought by various factions in the country as not merely about redrawing Nigeria’s borders but about creating an efficient governance system that benefits the majority.
He also cited the long shadows cast by military rule, saying: “The 1999 constitution was hurriedly put together and lacks sufficient inclusiveness.”
Prof Tunde Adeniran, former Minister of Education, who chaired the event, lauded Farounbi’s contributions to national development and emphasised the importance of recognising visionary leaders in Nigeria. The Chairman of Ibadan Discourse Group, Chief Bisi Adesola, described the celebrant as an intellectual, who spends his time in discussing Nigeria. He added that he is an incurable optimist about the future of Nigeria, and “worthy of our commendatio, sacrifice and recognition.”
The celebrant, Farounbi, assured Nigerians of hope and optimism amid the critical discussions on governance and reform, adding: “Nigeria has a future. We will get there.”