I consider this talk rather political because it will only end as a jist. Truly, speaking everyone know the best way to project the country forward but unfortunately, it won't favour those that have held the country hostage due to greed.

I'm not in support of them being reduced.. But let their pay be regulated or reduced

I actually wish they scrap it totally then increase senate representation depending on the population of each state but must be a max of 6 per state.

Reps and senate's have clashing and overlapping responsibilities.

God will bless you. O ni sofo tomotomo

dre11:

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/370915-reduce-lawmakers-by-two-thirds-were-too-many-unsustainable-reps-member.html

you have spoken well

dre11:

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/370915-reduce-lawmakers-by-two-thirds-were-too-many-unsustainable-reps-member.html

but
they won't agree to this

Who we come down for who, these are all media talks if you guys are serious debate it in the floor of the house,
You can't fool the people all the time.

Theenchanter2:
Good..... but its better they say it in the house than to d media, u know its d right thing to do, say it where its important and not where it'll have minimal effect.

let him say it in the house
it won't work

Each zone should send 10 to represent the zone for both Senate and rep.

Foxman19:
There's no need to reduce them.just make what their earnings equal with what teachers earn.

vry simple my broda

Yusuf Akinpelu

A Nigerian lawmaker, Bamidele Salam, has called for a massive cut in the cost of running the Nigerian government.

Part of his recommendation is that federal lawmakers, who are currently about 469, be reduced by about two-thirds.

Mr Salam, who represents Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, said this can be achieved by reducing the number of senators per state to one from three, while the House of Representatives should be reduced to one-third of its current 360 members. He said the senators should also work on part-time basis.

“In practical terms, the Senate should be made up of one senator per state, meeting on part-time basis (to confirm appointments, approve loans, emergency powers etc.) while the House of representatives should have only one-third of its present number sitting as a full time parliament,” Mr Salam said.

To further cut cost, among the executive arm, states should not have more than seven commissioners while the federal government should have a maximum of 15 ministers.

“Truth is that we can not afford what we currently operate but we are living in denial,” he said.

Mr Salam made these observations while in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

“I support all measures necessary to reduce our cost of governance and have more money for real development. This may include a downward review of emoluments of public office holders, not just lawmakers but everyone holding a public office from the local to the federal level,” Mr Salam said.

“I have always been an advocate of leaner government at all levels. I believe our present structure is not only bogus, it is also inefficient. I am of the view that a constitutional amendment should be undertaken to restructure the Nigerian federation to bring our institutions of governance in tune with our social, political and more importantly, economic realities.

“A country with over 200 million population and terrible social and infrastructure deficit as ours should not be spending more than 70 per cent of its annual budget on recurrent expenditure. It is simply not sustainable and the place to start is from the size of our government.”


Proponents

Mr Salam’s view has added another echo to the call for restructuring of governance in Nigeria. One of his colleagues in the Senate, Rochas Okorocha of Imo West Senatorial District, made similar remarks last October.

Like Mr Salam, Mr Okorocha argued that the total number of federal lawmakers should be reviewed to 146, from the current 469 — 109 senators and 360 Rep members.

Rochas Okorocha

“What (are) three senators doing that one senator cannot do?” Mr Okorocha asked, amidst murmur in the House.

“Here, we have three senators per state. In that National Assembly (House of Representatives) over there, we have 360 eligible human beings. This country must begin to make sacrifices and cut down the cost of governance.”

Barely a week after Mr Okorocha’s mooted this stance, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, broadened the debate.

Mr Fayemi called for a unicameral legislature by the scrapping of the Senate, saying what is needed is the House of Representatives.

“You have three senators from little Ekiti and you have three senators from Lagos State. It’s a no-brainer that it’s unequal, I guess the principle is not proportionality but that if you are a state, you get it automatically.

“But I think that we can do away with that. There are several things that we can do away within the government,” he said.

Section 48 of the constitution provides for three senators from each of the 36 states of the federation and one from the FCT (totalling 110). Also, section 49 provides for 360 members of the House of Representatives elected from the constituencies in each state of the federation.

EKiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi
Therefore, only a constitutional amendment can lead to the kind of reform sought by the aforementioned proponents.


Opponents

Aware that the debate was gaining traction, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, countered the call for a unicameral legislature.

He said the improvement in the productivity of lawmakers is what should be sought, not a single parliamentary house, which could impinge the representation of ethnic minorities in the country.

“Nigeria has consciously adopted to have a bicameral National Assembly. It is because of who and what we are. The diversity of Nigeria and ethnic composition of the country requires that we have a system that provides Justice, Equity and Fair play.

“It is a conscious decision and design to ensure that everybody is represented in the country. We need bi-cameral legislature in Nigeria.” Mr Lawan explained.

The senate president did not, however, counter the call for a reduction in the number of senators per state.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/370915-reduce-lawmakers-by-two-thirds-were-too-many-unsustainable-reps-member.html

THE CUT IN THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS SHOULD ALSO BE EXTENDED TO THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

I personally think they should even run the business of the house on part time.

Let the legislators go to the productive sectors such as Agriculture and work to grow food for the nation.

Don't mind Lawan. If baba call him and ordered him to kwomence za frocess, he will begin to sing another song.

Foxman19:
There's no need to reduce them.just make what their earnings equal with what teachers earn.

..... Wahala go dey ooo and they will fill the rest in bribery !!

Multiplier7:
Secondly, fiscal federalism should be adopted as a system of government in this country.

You and I knew that this current federal system is just a mirage. It is not working

Fiscal federalism will solve 85% of our problem but verily, Nigeria will divide with Fiscal Federalism.

The Oligarchs do not want this !!

CorleonOfSicily:
Don't mind Lawan. If baba call him and ordered him to kwomence za frocess, he will begin to sing another song.

Kwomence Za Frocess

Funny that Nigeria has more Senators than the US.

May God safe us in this country

I don't think it will work cos tribalism in Nigeria is too much. Who will represent the states with multiple tribes? There would be serious wahala in the states.
The best way to do it now is to cut their pay. They should equate their position to say level 12 in the civil service and get exactly the salary and allowance of level 12 workers else where. Since the money will be small for them, they will leave the job for serious people

frowland:

Senate is 3 per state, but reps are not per state, but per population. So states or areas with dense population gets more reps.

STATES ARE AUTONOMOUS. POPULATION AREN'T. SO FROM NOW ON, SELECT REP PER STATE. AND BECOME MORE PROGRESSIVE.

Good and sensible talk!!!

dre11:

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/370915-reduce-lawmakers-by-two-thirds-were-too-many-unsustainable-reps-member.html

Until you propose a bill on it we wont take you serious.

Many lawmakers will turn deaf ears to this simply because they are fighting for their pockets,the aim of a senator in Nigeria is to make and embezzle their constituent money...put them in the same salary scale with teachers and you'll find out no one would vie for a seat

Foxman19:
There's no need to reduce them.just make what their earnings equal with what teachers earn.

They will naturally run away.How smart..

Commendable

orisa37:




STATES ARE AUTONOMOUS. POPULATION AREN'T. SO FROM NOW ON, SELECT REP PER STATE. AND BECOME MORE PROGRESSIVE.

Oh, okay I get your point.

Foxman19:
There's no need to reduce them.just make what their earnings equal with what teachers earn.

truly speaking if the legislature salaries is reduced to what teacher earn,nobody will struggle for the post again.

The federal House of Representatives is the only upper chamber needed, as the Senate is just waste of Resources.
Nigeria like copying the western world in wasteful ventures rather than Useful ventures.

The modafokas won't listen to your advice

guys watch and you'll see how they'll (the house members) hunt the person that bring this opinion. mark my word

Wise pesin

His colleagues won't agree with him, and that will be a welcome development, we will have more money for critical infrastructural development.

Each state should pay for the Reps members they elected. At least they will pay what they can and the member will be motivated to work in their interest instead of working in the interest of the criminals in power.