….”Doctrine of Necessity/Referendum the only way out” – Renewed Kaduna Restoration Group
Senators from the northern part of Nigeria have vehemently opposed agitation for the return to regional system of government.
The Northern Senators rejected calls for a return to a regional government system two-day retreat organised by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Kano, citing its failure to benefit the region in the past.
Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the event, some of the lawmakers from the region argued that their areas did not benefit from the system when it was practised.
Their submissions were however contrary to the positions held by their colleagues from the Southern part of the country.
Bauchi Senator, Abdul Ningi emphasised that the North did not experience development under the First Republic’s regional system and advocated for federal reforms instead.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, clarified that the establishment of zonal development commissions should not be mistaken for regionalism.
According to him, the various geo-political zonal Development Commissions were strictly for the social and economic development of their areas.
Similarly, former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, said the idea of true federalism was no longer fashionable because many countries in Africa had discarded it.
He advocated the creation of strong institutions that would enhance good governance and curb corruption and insecurity. “When the government put these in place, there won’t be clamour for true federalism because there will be justice, equity and fairness in all the regions of the country,” he stressed.
Southern senators, however, view regionalism as a solution to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. They described the agitation as a welcome development that would improve the economy, tackle insecurity and fas-track infrastructural development. Oyo Senator AbdulFatai Buhari highlighted the economic success of regions during the First Republic.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna Restoration Group proposed the “Doctrine of Necessity” and a referendum as a path to constitutional amendments, emphasising that citizens hold the ultimate authority in deciding on any significant changes.
In their Memorandum to the President and the National Assembly, the Group said that any attempt to initiate discussion of restructuring along any of the contentious ares may be almost impossible to be undertaken within the context of existing constitutionally recognized institutions and elected actors of the State.
In National Interest, they recommend the need of reaching a National Consens of the Amendment/Alterations of All Issues by Changing the 1999 Constitution through the Doctrine Of Necessity by the National Council of State for some xonsensus on clear mechanisms to be defined, for easy facilitation of such an assignment by REFERENDUM BY CITIZENS, further stating that in a democracy, THE CITIZENS are the only FINAL SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY available in SAYING ‘YES OR NO’ on any ‘ CHANGE’ that may affect them.
