Legal luminary and ex-president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has stated the need to have regional federalism as lasting solution to myriads of challenges confronting Nigeria.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at his Ikere-Ekiti residence weekend, shortly after the 29th Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and 6th Wole Olanipekun Foundation Empowerment Programme, the Senior Advocate said restructuring Nigeria along regional lines would promote integration, strengthen governance and accelerate development of the country.

He said  regional federalism, where regions administer their affairs while ceding only constitutionally assigned powers to the centre, remains the “surest solution” to the country’s current woes. 

He posited that the model, if eventually considered and adopted, would enable each region to negotiate its priorities, harness its strengths and work more cohesively for growth.

Olanipekun said through regional federalism, the regions can integrate properly.

“Let the residual powers reside in the regions while the centre handles what traditionally belongs to it. I have said this repeatedly and if anyone has a better option, let them bring it forward for Nigeria’s sake,” he said.

The eminent lawyer however expressed worry about Nigeria’s rising insecurity, kidnapping, killings and what he described as increasing “inhumanity of man to man.”