Delegates Proffer Solutions to Nigeria’s Defective Political Structure

Speakers after speakers took turn to bring to the front burner the challenges that are buffeting the Nigerian political terrain. They also put forward various proposals and panacea for the nation’s political renaissance.

The delegates spoke during the debate of the report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government.

Speaking on the report, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, submits that there is need to restructure the Nigerian political scene in such a way that government will be a bit simple. He observes that Nigeria’s government is ceremonial instead of functional. He opposes the committee’s recommendation for a unicameral legislature. He restates the need to make the legislature strong. According to him, “If we remove the legislature from government, it becomes an autocratic state.”

“What makes us democratic today is because of our legislature. If the military takes over, they will still maintain the presidential system as well as the judiciary. What will be lacking in that system will be legislature.”

Senator Nnamani reasons that, “The bridge between democracy and autocracy is the legislature.”

On how to make the legislature more effective, he says that, “We must ensure that those that constitute our national assembly are those that have work experience. Let us be careful because the method of recruiting our political leaders is faulty.”

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhuome, wants Nigeria anthem and national flag to be reversed to the previous one designed by Mr. Akinwunmi. He also advocates for the change of Nigeria’s name which according to him was imposed by the colonial masters.

Yadomah Bukar Mandara, a youth delegate, laments that so many youths are unemployed, yet legislatures are earning bogus salaries. She argues that these anomalies need to be checked as a matter of urgency.

On Nigeria’s challenges, she says, “I do not believe that the problem of Nigeria is Nigeria; but the problem of Nigeria is Nigerians. The problem of Nigeria is not Nigeria but the structural of the structure.”

She restates the need for Nigeria to reduce the cost of governance in the country.

On the clamour for additional states creation, he submits that “the new state we need in Nigeria is a state of transparency; state of justice; and state of equity.”

Speaking on the committee report, Mr. Musa Abdulahi submits that the challenge of Nigeria is not about the law; but circumventing of the law.

Mr. Abdullahi admonishes that Nigerians must ensure that the resources of the country must go back to the local governments. According to him, “Allocation from the federal government should go down to the local government.”

Mr. Abdullahi states that a lot of minority tribes have a connection with Nigeria through the local government. He opposes the recommendation to make legislative tasks part time, saying “the legislature cannot be part time. They work beyond the plenary.”

Chief Bayo Ojo argues that the failure of the constitution to make provision for the rotation of the presidency has caused great problem in Nigeria. He states that it has caused lots of minority groups to be exempted from elective offices across the state of the federation.

Chief Ojo therefore proposes that there should be an amendment that the office of the president should be rotated between the South and the North.

On funding of local government, Chief Achike Udenwa alleges that the State House of Assembly has failed in curtailing the power of the state governor. According to him, “The State House of Assembly is powerful than the governor,” therefore they should safeguard the local government from the overbearing influence of governors.

Mallam Bar Abubarkar Sabo states that if local government is removed from the constitution, the minority will be greatly hurt. According to him, local government should remain in the constitution and remain a federating unit. He opposes the committee’s proposal for states to merge.

He affirms that states should be created from each of the geo-political zone. Mrs Gabo Laraba states that the local government must remain in the constitution. According to her, “What we should do is strengthen them and ensure that their allocation goes directly to them.”

Prof. Jerry Gana argues that federalism is the best system of government for Nigeria. On state creation, he holds that those that meet the criteria should be allowed to create their own state. According to him, “Creation of state will enhance justice.”

Speaking further, he opines: “The issue of local government is very important. We should re-affirm Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution that the Local Government is democratic.”

Chief Edwin Clark supports the creation of more states in the country. He reasons that those areas that have been marginalised should have the right to aspire to the highest level. He also believes that there should be zoning of political offices among the geo-political zones in the country. “As far as I am concerned, local government should be created by the states. The allocation of local government should be shared between the state and local governments.”

Col. Tony Iyam argues that Democracy rests on three legs: Direct, Indirect Democracy and credible census. He therefore suggests that we must have credible census in Nigeria.

He argues that those that are opposing a new constitution are not democrats.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo states that one of the principal reasons the National Conference was convened is to look at the question of minority interest. He opposes the proposed modified presidential system of government; saying that he supports the parliamentary system of government.

Chief Adebanjo argues that if the FCT belongs to all Nigeria, other ethnic groups must be allowed to be the minister of the FCT.

Prof. Akin Oyebode submits that Nigeria has failed the test of a federal state. “We have no choice but to adopt the federal system of government,” he reasons. “True federalism will be better practised by the geo-political zones.”

He argues that a part-time legislature will reduce government’s expenditure. Prof. Oyebode declares that there is need for more professionals in politics as Nigerians are tired of professional politicians.

Justice Bilikisu Aliu submits that states should not be created on the basis of sentiment. She admonishes that we should ensure that government is closer to the people through the local government system.