The lawmaker representing Shomolu Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rotimi Abiru, has cautioned the 19 Northern states governors and leaders from the region to stop opposing rotational presidency and uttering statements that could incite one region against the other in the country.
Abiru, meanwhile, educated residents of his constituency and Lagosians on the benefits that would come to the state when the Supremse Court approved that states should collect Value Added Tax (VAT) as against the Federal Government, saying more infrastructures will be built across the state.
The lawmaker stated these during an interview on the 61st Independence anniversary with newsmen yesterday in his office, Lagos Assembly complex, Ikeja.
Abiru, who expressed displeasure over the communique issued after the governors meeting, said that their stance and comments particularly on power rotation ahead 2023 presidential election could affect the peace and unity in the country
The Somolu constituency II representative described their position against power shift as insensitive and portraying a great danger for the country considering its current challenges.
“The Constitution provides for federal character. It’s means the Constitution is talking about merit, other regions must have their right. It may not be a written agreement, but we need to tread with caution. No region is superior to the other. Nigeria belongs to all, equity and fairness must be respected”.
He stressed that, “Nobody is praying for war, but we must respect the wish and aspirations of other regions because the constitution is not cast in stone” the lawmaker submitted
Abiru stressed that under the 1999 constitution, every citizen has “equal rights, the Issue of zoning should be respected with the ruling party”.
On VAT, Abiru said that Nigerians have been advocating for fiscal federalism and the tax collection by state would further ensure it and make the country more democratic.
“Lagos State is the highest donor in contribution to VAT generation in the federation over the years. Therefore, there’s no justification for some states sharing from the collection of VAT being generated by others. The state should be allowed to use its money for Infrastructural benefits for their residents.
“Every state in Nigeria has its potential, but because of the national cake, some Governors had not been harnessing potentials in their domains to keep their states running for Development”, he added.
On the anti-open grazing position of the southern governor’s, the lawmaker advised the federal government to stop the backward policy in the 21st century.
“It’s most unfortunate and it’s not only in Nigeria that people feed animals. “Open grazing must stop and the ban must be enforced. Someone is trying to make a living for himself or herself and another and in the process, wreaking havoc on others, how do you justify that, we must be fair to others as Nigeria belongs to all”, he remarked.
Abiru described the Issue of insecurity as a threat to our national unity and all stakeholders must come together to fight the common enemy for the purpose of Unity, Peace, Development and co-existence.
He congratulates every living soul in Nigeria on the occasion of sixty-one years of independence calling on all citizens to believe in the Nigerian project.
“I called on our youths especially as we’re moving closer to choose another leader. “We should all ensure to participate fully and elect a leader that will add value to our future.
The lawmaker also wishes Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) speedy recovery describing the politician as a hope of the common man.
