In a recent video on Channels Television from 03:54, former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau recalled a memorable interaction with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, which revealed the need for better coordination between the federal and state governments.
Shekarau shared that during his time as governor, Obasanjo had addressed the governors, highlighting the importance of maintaining communication and synergy despite the constitutional independence afforded to state governments.
Obasanjo, according to Shekarau, expressed frustration that he would often be left in the dark about the whereabouts of governors. “Most governors wouldn’t even inform him when they traveled out,” Shekarau explained. This lack of communication sometimes led to awkward situations where the President learned of a governor’s international travel from third parties. “Someone might tell him, ‘Oh, I saw your governor yesterday on the streets of London in the UK,’ and so he felt very embarrassed,” Shekarau added.
According to him, “There were instances that I remember when I was governor. Obasanjo called us and said, ‘Look, while the Constitution spells out that you are independent of the federal government, there should be some synergy; there should be some understanding.’ I remember very well the issue then was that he was complaining. Most governors wouldn’t even inform him when they traveled out, and he would want to reach a particular governor. Someone might tell him, ‘Oh, I saw your governor yesterday on the streets of London in the UK,’ and so he felt very embarrassed. He said, ‘Just let me know; the Constitution.”….Seê – Morê