Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has emphasized the need for strict adherence to the rule of law and national reforms to achieve true federalism as Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary.
In his Independence Day statement, signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday, Adeleke said the anniversary should serve as a moment of reflection on the strength of the country’s democracy, constitution, rule of law, and the delivery of good governance.
While acknowledging the progress made since independence, the governor stressed that Nigeria must fast-track development by ensuring full compliance with constitutional provisions and respect for judicial processes.
Adeleke further maintained that democratic structures can only thrive when free from unlawful interference, adding that true federalism—through the devolution of powers and resources—remains the pathway to national progress.
“We must ensure full compliance with the rule of law, not the rule of thumb. Judicial processes must be respected, as they are the only legitimate vehicle to regulate relationships among players in the democratic space and among Nigerians at large,” he noted.
The governor, who described democracy as rule-based, emphasized that Nigerian democracy will progress faster and good governance will be better delivered when democratic structures are allowed to function without unlawful interference.
He said, “I felicitate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians at large. I urge the political class to strive towards true federalism. Federating units must be strengthened through greater devolution of powers and resources.
