APC Pledges Action on El-Rufai Committee’s True Federalism Report

• The APC National Working Committee signals commitment to implement recommendations of Nasir El-Rufai’s true federalism committee, emphasizing devolution of power
• Despite delays, internal efforts led by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje aim to hold the government accountable and implement key recommendations

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has signalled its commitment to implementing the recommendations of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s committee on true federalism. Nze Chidi Duru, the APC’s deputy national organizing secretary, shared this information during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja over the weekend.

The 23-man committee, led by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, submitted its report on true federalism to the APC on January 14, 2018. The committee proposed devolving power to states on critical issues, including policing and resource control. Despite these recommendations, the report faced non-implementation during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Addressing concerns over the lack of implementation, Salihu Mohammed Lukman, a former national vice chairman (North West), attributed the delay to the “existence of weak structures of the party.” He emphasized how this failure negatively impacted the party.

In response, Duru revealed internal efforts by the Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led NWC to ensure the implementation of the report. He highlighted the report’s significance within the APC’s ideology and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of devolution of power and restructuring.

Duru stated, “As much as we are making efforts internally to bring up that report, to hold the government accountable, and to implement the key points on which we campaigned to Nigerians, I charge the fourth estate of the realm to treat it as a Bible and article of faith in the face of our leaders.”

He underscored the potential benefits, stating, “It is good for Nigeria; it will work for Nigerians. It will be the best for Nigeria because what that would have achieved is that the overhead cost in governance will be substantially removed, creating a level-playing field in both business and politics, enhancing Nigerians’ sense of belonging in their areas of influence.”