Restructuring: Between Referendum and Constitution Review

Esteemed readers, a careful observation of the polity in the
last one week suggests that there is a cross-regional consensus to
restructure Nigeria’s federalism.

Although, many vocal voices have relentlessly canvassed for a
smaller, leaner federal government with reduced responsibilities.
Pronouncements by governors elected on the platform of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) and their counterparts in the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) increased tempo of the agitation.

Also, opinion leaders such as former military President, Ibrahim
Babangida, former vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
and the new coalition of prominent southern leaders including;
renowned Economist, Professor Pat Utomi, former Vice President of
the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Anya O. Anya, former
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher
Kolade, chieftains of pan-Yoruba social cultural group, Afenifere,
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Chief Amos Akingba, amongst
others, insisted that restructuring is a solution to Nigeria’s
political puzzle.

However, despite persistent strife for the political adjustment,
the federal government, particularly the National Assembly ignored
the clarion call. This situation prompted the demand for referendum
by many socio-political groups.

But on a second thought, the ongoing constitution review process
provides an opportunity to adjust the structure of Nigeria’s
existence, as canvassed by both the younger and older generation of
Nigerians. This will safe the nation from the complexity of going
into a referendum.

If the review process is concluded without addressing the
salient issue of restructuring, the exercise will at best be
remembered as another test of political procedure.

For instance, an overview of the 23 items recommendation of the
House of Representatives’ ad-hoc committee on constitution review,
which has been approved by a similar committee in the Senate, infer
that our federal lawmakers are more interested in wrestling
political power with the executive arm of government than
proffering solutions to sensitive problems facing the existence of
Nigeria as a nation.

Notwithstanding the fact that federal lawmakers proposed to
transfer about 10 items from the Exclusive Legislative List to the
Concurrent Legislative List. The units and substance of considered
items are not sufficient enough to represent the political
restructuring Nigerians yearn for.

While it is commendable that items such as management and
regulation of lands for Agricultural purposes, generation and
transmission of electricity, construction of intra-state railways
and a few other issues are on the front burner, all the items
captured in the single Bill seeking devolution of powers are
unlikely to douse the age-long political tension across the
federating units.
If the legislators are really committed to producing a generally
acceptable amendment to the constitution, contentious items such as
Police and other government security services established by law,
(which guarantees state policing), Labour and industrial related
matters, Mines and minerals, including oil fields, oil mining,
geological surveys and natural gas as well as international trade
and commerce will be included among items considered for transfer
to the Concurrent List.

The restructuring Nigerians demand is such that guarantees
devolution of powers and resources to states and local governments
and produce a lean, focused federal government.
As cumbersome as it appears, it is feasible and achievable through
an amendment to the constitution.

If, indeed a Bill is devoted to devolution of power from the
Central government to the State government in the ongoing review,
only 10 items out of 68 items on the Exclusive List will not
achieve the purpose.

I sincerely believe that the 8th Assembly has the best
opportunity to record a landmark achievement in this regard, as
it’s constitution amendment exercise coincide with national
consensus on restructuring.

Nevertheless, if our lawmakers, as representatives of the people
fail to address the plight and concerns of their constituents in
good time, the people will not relent in their agitation for a
reformed partnership.

In a matter of time, a referendum will be inevitable and the
will of the people shall prevail!

Views From Constituencies

This segment features open questions to members of the
House of Representatives.

Send your questions, with full names and address
to:biyiadedapo@gmail.com or 08056830894 (SMS only)

Esteemed readers, a careful observation of the polity in the
last one week suggests that there is a cross-regional consensus to
restructure Nigeria’s federalism.

Although, many vocal voices have relentlessly canvassed for a
smaller, leaner federal government with reduced responsibilities.
Pronouncements by governors elected on the platform of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) and their counterparts in the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) increased tempo of the agitation.

Also, opinion leaders such as former military President, Ibrahim
Babangida, former vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
and the new coalition of prominent southern leaders including;
renowned Economist, Professor Pat Utomi, former Vice President of
the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Anya O. Anya, former
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher
Kolade, chieftains of pan-Yoruba social cultural group, Afenifere,
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Chief Amos Akingba, amongst
others, insisted that restructuring is a solution to Nigeria’s
political puzzle.

However, despite persistent strife for the political adjustment,
the federal government, particularly the National Assembly ignored
the clarion call. This situation prompted the demand for referendum
by many socio-political groups.

But on a second thought, the ongoing constitution review process
provides an opportunity to adjust the structure of Nigeria’s
existence, as canvassed by both the younger and older generation of
Nigerians. This will safe the nation from the complexity of going
into a referendum.

If the review process is concluded without addressing the
salient issue of restructuring, the exercise will at best be
remembered as another test of political procedure.

For instance, an overview of the 23 items recommendation of the
House of Representatives’ ad-hoc committee on constitution review,
which has been approved by a similar committee in the Senate, infer
that our federal lawmakers are more interested in wrestling
political power with the executive arm of government than
proffering solutions to sensitive problems facing the existence of
Nigeria as a nation.

Notwithstanding the fact that federal lawmakers proposed to
transfer about 10 items from the Exclusive Legislative List to the
Concurrent Legislative List. The units and substance of considered
items are not sufficient enough to represent the political
restructuring Nigerians yearn for.

While it is commendable that items such as management and
regulation of lands for Agricultural purposes, generation and
transmission of electricity, construction of intra-state railways
and a few other issues are on the front burner, all the items
captured in the single Bill seeking devolution of powers are
unlikely to douse the age-long political tension across the
federating units.
If the legislators are really committed to producing a generally
acceptable amendment to the constitution, contentious items such as
Police and other government security services established by law,
(which guarantees state policing), Labour and industrial related
matters, Mines and minerals, including oil fields, oil mining,
geological surveys and natural gas as well as international trade
and commerce will be included among items considered for transfer
to the Concurrent List.

The restructuring Nigerians demand is such that guarantees
devolution of powers and resources to states and local governments
and produce a lean, focused federal government.
As cumbersome as it appears, it is feasible and achievable through
an amendment to the constitution.

If, indeed a Bill is devoted to devolution of power from the
Central government to the State government in the ongoing review,
only 10 items out of 68 items on the Exclusive List will not
achieve the purpose.

I sincerely believe that the 8th Assembly has the best
opportunity to record a landmark achievement in this regard, as
it’s constitution amendment exercise coincide with national
consensus on restructuring.

Nevertheless, if our lawmakers, as representatives of the people
fail to address the plight and concerns of their constituents in
good time, the people will not relent in their agitation for a
reformed partnership.

In a matter of time, a referendum will be inevitable and the
will of the people shall prevail!

Views From Constituencies

This segment features open questions to members of the
House of Representatives.

Send your questions, with full names and address
to:biyiadedapo@gmail.com or 08056830894 (SMS only)