Eminent Nigerians yesterday disagreed on the desirability or otherwise of a new constitution for the country and sustenance of the existing six geo-political zones, as the basis of relationship between the federating units. The occasion was the international colloquium with the theme: “Federalism: Building on the Ekwueme Legacy,” held in Abuja in celebration of the 80th birthday of former vice-president, Dr Alex Ekwueme.
Setting the tone for the discourse, [b]Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola, lauded the former vice-president for being the initiator of the present six geo-political zones arrangement, but expressed concern over its workability as federating units.
The Lagos State governor further called for moral rebirth on the part of Nigerians, as he noted that Nigerians must develop a sincerity of purpose to make the new constitution being envisaged work.
“What is under constitution consideration is whether a constitution amendment is really what we want. What lies at the heart of the clamour is the desire for a better life, not really a better document. Nigerians want to pay school fees, feed themselves and work. The Constitution is just an agreement on how we relate to one another. Its effectiveness depends on our sincerity to honour agreement. We don’t have electoral malpractices, because the constitution is bad; our roads are bad for motorists not because the constitution is bad. The crash of the stock exchange isn’t because the constitution is bad.
“Those things that frustrate our people cannot be put at the doorstep of the Constitution. It lies in our diminishing values. I must not be mistaken that we don’t need a Constitution; what I am saying is that the Constitution cannot be driven by itself. It must be driven by people with values.”[/b]
But Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi in his remarks submitted that a document skewed against a certain zone in the country would only earn their respect if it was based on justice.
“The constitution isn’t more than an agreement. If the agreement is based on injustice, as a person from South East, what do I do? Do I respect the agreement, or renege on it? There must be respect for every zone. If it doesn’t respect every zone, then you must seek for an amendment. In an agreement where one group has six states and another has five states, do you stay in such agreement? It must be based on justice and equity for all of us to respect it.”
Former Information Minister and Chairman of South South Assembly, Chief Edwin Clark in his presentation advocated the abolition of states and the entrenchment of zones, as federating units as canvassed by Chief Alex Ekwueme during the 1994 Constitutional Conference. The Ijaw leader dismissed the present 1999 Constitution as a military document that should be subjected to rigorous amendment at a national conference. “I agree with those who say there must be a new constitution. A situation where some zone have six states and another five, let us review it, based on experts advice—not on sentiments.
“The thirty six states governors have no initiative, they only come to Abuja at the end of every month to collect from the Federation Account, thinking that will solve the problems. “I think we should abolish the states and strengthen the zones. We need a national conference, because the National Assembly is arrogating to itself, the power to look at the constitution. “Let the federating units meet and submit their deliberations to the National Assembly. What we have now is a military document; we must deliberate so that we can have a federation of equal partners.
“So, I believe the six geo-political zones, suggested by Dr. Alex Ekwueme should be the federating units of this country.”

Johndoe100: While Fshola has a point. The main thrust of his continued doubts about restructuring Nigeria arise from the adverse effects this will have on the economy of his state.

Theben: I think Fashola's opinion on the constitution amendment is being misconstrued. He feels the solution to Nigerian problem isn't the constitution, we've not followed the constitution on ground yet we're clamouring for a change. What is the need of amending the constution that won't be followed? It is a case of misplaced priority.

“Those things that frustrate our people cannot be put at the doorstep of the Constitution. It lies in our diminishing values. I must not be mistaken that we don’t need a Constitution; what I am saying is that the Constitution cannot be driven by itself. It must be driven by people with values.”

“The constitution isn’t more than an agreement. If the agreement is based on injustice, as a person from South East, what do I do? Do I respect the agreement, or renege on it? There must be respect for every zone. If it doesn’t respect every zone, then you must seek for an amendment."

X-factoria:
Fashola is correct! The essence of having a constitutional amendment would be lost if we don't arrest our declining values. Obi just didn't get the point. How will having six states in the South East prevent erosion, kidnapping, joblessness, bad roads, poor educational facilities etc? The vigour with which the South East is pursuing additional states makes it look like that is the solution to all their problems.

I support Ekwueme and Clark on thrashing the States and having Regions or geo-political zones as the federating units. The malicious and annoying crave for more states would be totally unnecessary. The craving for more states by politicians is for one selfish reason which is to make the cake go round. Some people know they can only be Governors or whatever if they create a new state in their zones whether they are viable states or not. There are many states today that have no business being called a state. They don't do more than pay salaries, tar a few kilometers of road and dig a few wells/boreholes. Government should do much more than that. Another justification for a Regional structure is the economics of the region that would be better under a unitary regional government with a civil service size and political offices as what is obtainable in one state today. Imagine all the salaries of 5 states channeled towards education? The savings can be better channeled to important developmental projects. The last time we had accelerated developments in this country were the times of the Regional governments. With the Regional structure, we can better focus on local governments, strengthen them and hold them accountable on many grounds. Today, we blame the President and on rare ocassions, the Governors and forget totally about LG Chairmen and allow them free-ride.

PointB:

What indication do you have from the article that Fashola supports regionalism as you put it? Fashola doesn't appear to suppport anything other than his simplistic call for attitudinal changes.

Somehow I think Fashola is being hypocritical here. How many laws has he enacted in Lagos state this year alone - many targeting Okadas riders, drivers, agberoes and others. Why did he preach the gospel of attitudinal changes to them. Recently, Fashola muted the idea of enacting a law that forces Lagos residents to change their 'foreign' car plate number to that of Lagos. My point again is, are those laws really needed? Why not suggest change in behavior in a subtle way as he is suggesting now?

If he sincere believe amendment of laws, or new laws are need to fix his state, why can't same apply at the national level. There is something very wrong with Fashola's posture. Simple.

Ade0001:


@PointB, i think Fash is not only preaching attitudinal changes,

The Lagos State governor further called for moral rebirth on the part of Nigerians, as he noted that Nigerians must develop a sincerity of purpose to make the new constitution being envisaged work.

PointB:

What indication do you have from the article that Fashola supports regionalism as you put it? Fashola doesn't appear to suppport anything other than his simplistic call for attitudinal changes.

Somehow I think Fashola is being hypocritical here. How many laws has he enacted in Lagos state this year alone - many targeting Okadas riders, drivers, agberoes and others. Why did he preach the gospel of attitudinal changes to them. Recently, Fashola muted the idea of enacting a law that forces Lagos residents to change their 'foreign' car plate number to that of Lagos. My point again is, are those laws really needed? Why not suggest change in behavior in a subtle way as he is suggesting now?

If he sincere believe amendment of laws, or new laws are need to fix his state, why can't same apply at the national level. There is something very wrong with Fashola's posture. Simple.