RIVERS: If you deny a state of its allocation, they can opt out of the Federation – Festus Ogwuche
By KEMI KASUMU
The recent Federal High Court Abuja ruling, barring federal allocations to Rivers State, raises serious questions about the boundaries of federal power and state rights in Nigeria, according to human rights lawyer, Festus Ogwuche.
In an interview with Arise News, Ogwuche argued that the federal structure relies on states coming together to form a unified system, voluntarily donating powers to the central government.
However, he warned that withholding a state’s allocation undermines this structure and could drive a state to consider withdrawing from the federation entirely.
“In federal systems, it’s the states that come together to form a unified fora…they donate their powers to the center, no matter how flawed our own system is,” Ogwuche explained.
He asserted that states retain their authority and should not face unilateral deprivation of resources they contribute to the national structure.
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He highlighted the serious repercussions of such actions, suggesting that, “they can opt out of the Federation, which is a possibility.”
According to Ogwuche, “In Federal systems, it’s the States that come together to form a unified fora and they donate their powers to the centre, no matter how flawed our own system is. It’s the authority of the State that whatever authority or power it wields.
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“If you deny a State Structure of it’s entitlement by way of its allocation which should be a replication of why it also contributes, presupposedly contributes to the national Structure, they can opt out of the Federation which is a possibility.”
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