The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has said that the solution to the problems facing Nigeria as a country is to restructure the psychology of its leaders.
Adewole stated this on Friday while delivering the 60th Anniversary Lecture of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife with the theme "Restructuring The Nigerian Federalism: Panacea For Good Governance?" held at the Oduduwa Hall of the University.
According to him, the 1999 constitution has all it takes for the leaders to deliver good governance to Nigerians but this, he noted will only be possible if the leaders have a rethink and improve on their leadership quality.
He added that the constitution has not been effective in achieving the set objectives due to challenges with legislative lists sharing and leadership defect.
"The Federalism that we need in Nigeria is the Federalism that will make us achieve Chapter two of the constitition which spelt out the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy.
"The problem with the current constitutional arrangement is that we put too much on the exclusive lists. My recommendation just like we have dove on our manifesto is to put all the items on the exclusive legislative list on the concurrent list and retain only three items namely Foreign Affairs, Defence and Monetary System.
"Ultimately, the quality of the leadership has collapsed. The restructuring requires psychological restructuring. We need to restructure our thinking about the purpose of government. We need a set of people without a mindset of coming to power only for the purpose of stealing public funds."
Earlier in his address, the Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Bamire, represented by the Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academics), Prof. M.O. Babalola, congratulated the Faculty on the milestone.
He noted that the Faculty through the achievements of its alumni, students and staff have contributed in no small proportion to the current position of the University among committee of Universities particularly in the legal education.
"I will like to congratulate the Faculty of Law on the occasion of this historic event. A journey of six decades is not a mean achievement. Since inception up till today, the Faculty has been fortunate to enjoy the patronage of eminent and globally renowned scholars.
"Over the years, products of the faculty have sufficiently made the Faculty and University proud on account of their exploits in the field of law and other areas of human endeavours.", the Vice-chancellor noted.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. A. A. Adedeji, described the occasion as a moment for celebrate an agelong excellence for which the Faculty has been known for over the last sixty years of its existence.
"Our gathering here today is to celebrate sixty years of archaic excellence in legal education of great Ife Law. You will equally agree with me that today's lecture is very topical, restructuring Nigeria's Federalism which has been a recurrent topic for discussions over years."
The event also featured a presentation of the Makers of Ife Law Awards to distinguished alumni, and staff of the Faculty for their contribution to the development of contemporary society.
Some of the Dignitaries and awardees who graced the occasion include the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Dotun Abolurin who is also an alumnus of the Faculty; Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, Vice-chancellor, Osun State University; Prof. Yusuf Ali, Pro-chancellor, Osun State University; Prof. Olayiwola O. Oladele, Provost, College of Law, Bowen University, Iwo Osun State among others.
A book titled "Law, Society and Development" authored by the SDP presidential flag bearer was also unveiled at the occasion.
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