Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) chieftain, Chief Udo Udeogaranya has condemned the recent transfer of 72 beggars and destitutes back to their states of origins by Lagos State government. Udeogaranya, ACPN gubernatorial aspirant for the forthcoming November 16 Anambra State governorship election, in a statement made available to Saturday Mirror said that the action of the Lagos State government is unlawful since the constitution empowered every Nigerian to move freely and reside in any part of the country. The statement reads in part: “As a native of Anambra State and one running to become the Governor of Anambra State, one of the federating units of Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am mindful that the constitution that binds all the people, resources, talents and lands of the federation as one and beneficial to all, irrespective of tribe, state or region has made a solemn proclamation that ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part, thereof, and no citizen shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit there from.’ “In Section 14 (4), the constitution explicitly proclaims; ‘The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.’ “Where then is the promotion of sense of belonging within Lagos State area of authority by Governor Babatunde Fashola and his APC government as demanded by the constitution in deporting 72 persons considered to be of Igbo extraction to a foreign state? “Is it not an abdication of authority and responsibility by Lagos State government and transfer of authority and responsibility to Anambra State government to cater and cover the welfare for these Nigerians deported by Lagos State government, even when our constitution stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. “I therefore call on President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Government to hence transfer 50 per cent of Lagos State monthly allocation to Anambra State Government and an explicit order, that all Anambra State natives in Lagos State pay their taxes to Anambra State government. This will enable Anambra State government to cater for Nigerians deported to its area of authority and serve as a deterrent to all States governments of the Federation.”
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 21:34:36 +0000