A former Imo Deputy Governor, Mr Eze Madumere, on Saturday, called for the strengthening of democratic institutions in the country through devolution of powers.
Madumere made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, on the occasion of his 56th birthday.
Madumere noted that the beauty of democracy was based on the devolution of powers among elected officers, as a demonstration of people’s sovereign power.
“At the level of the state, we must create defined roles for deputy governors, if we are serious. We need devolution of powers rather than concentration of powers in one office.
“This has given room for instability, perennial disquiet, lack of trust and infighting.
“Some strategic offices should never draw its powers from the governor as an appointee but from the people, who gave him the mandate.
“This should apply in economy-related offices. I am talking from experience,” he said.
Madumere urged politicians to rise up to reposition the country’s democracy for economic and political stability.
He blamed the incessant political rancours on what he called faulty political foundation, occasioned by dishonesty, greed and desperation for power.
“What we have in our establishment is nothing but a theatre of war for power. This is why no political party can focus on insisting that its ideals, programmes and policies are carried out.
“What we have instead is an organisation, where its vision, ideals and philosophy are subsumed to the whims and caprices of whosoever is in control of the party. This should not be so,” the former deputy governor said.
He, however, said that the best way to ensure that those ideals and political philosophies were enshrined in Nigeria’s legal document was by not staying away from politics.
“For me, I shall continue to work with other people with similar beliefs and philosophy. That we are quiet does not mean we are out of the ring.
“We prefer to work quietly. As long as whatever you are doing will benefit your people, go ahead,” Madumere said.
According to him, some of the achievements recorded while in office are long-lasting and to the benefit of the generality of Imo people.
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