From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States, traditional and religious leaders are currently meeting at the University of Ibadan and will make their stand known on the agitation for true federalism in Nigeria.
The are meeting with the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, who is the Team Leader of the Committee on True Federalism set up by APC for the three states. Lalong is personally at the programme.
Lalong was accompanied by former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime; wife of former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Rachael Akpabio; and other committee members.
The Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, is represented by former deputy governor of the state, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye. Also, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, while Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State is represented by his Chief of Staff, Tolu Odebiyi.
The issues they are deliberating on include the creation or merger of states, derivation principle, devolution of power, federating units , fiscal federalism and revenue allocation, form of government, independent candidacy, land tenure system, local government autonomy, power sharing and rotation, resource control, and type of legislature.
The royal fathers in attendance include the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola; Onipetu Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran; the newly crowned obas in Ibadanland.
Former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, the APC woman leader in the South West; the Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief Alaba Lawson; and scores of other dignitaries are also at the meeting.
At the time of filing this report, stakeholders were submitting memoranda, at the end of which a communique will be issued.