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Senators Divided Over Proposal For Regional Governance In Nigeria
Nigerian Senators are sharply divided over the proposal to return to a regional system of government, with lawmakers from the Southern and Northern regions expressing conflicting opinions.
These discussions unfolded during a two-day retreat focused on constitutional amendments, organized by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Kano.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Southern Senators advocate for regional governance, believing it could enhance economic growth, address insecurity, and accelerate infrastructure development. In contrast, Northern Senators vehemently oppose the idea. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that regionalism is not included in the ongoing constitution review process.
Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central articulated strong opposition to regionalism, referencing his region’s lack of development during the First Republic.
He questioned the mandate of those advocating for regional governance, emphasizing that the National Assembly holds the authority to amend the constitution. “My senatorial district is not in support of regional governance,” Ningi stated. “What we need is reform of the current federal structure.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, warned against conflating the establishment of zonal development commissions with a move towards regionalism.
Senators Regional Governance
He emphasized that these commissions are designed to promote economic development, not to revive regional governance. Musa challenged advocates of regionalism to introduce bills in the National Assembly to test the popularity of their proposals.
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume dismissed the call for true federalism, suggesting that strong institutions are necessary for good governance and addressing issues like corruption and insecurity.
Senator Muntari Dandutse echoed this sentiment, urging a focus on governance rather than regionalism.
Conversely, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Oyo North supported regional governance, citing the First Republic’s success in resource management. He argued that decentralizing power would reduce corruption and foster accountability.
Despite these differing views, Senate Leader Bamidele reiterated that regionalism cannot be easily reinstated through constitutional amendments.
He stressed that any significant change would require broad political consensus and the approval of the Nigerian people, highlighting the complexities involved in amending the constitution.
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