In 2012 the Governor of Osun state,Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji
Aregbesola(60) set up a committee to affirm the position of Osun state in
restructuring...
The committee was headed by Mr. G.M. Adedeji. Other members of
the committee were Adewale Afolabi(represented by Abdulrasak Adeoye), Ajibola
Basiru, Gbenga Awosode, C.J. Aremu(Mrs.), Talib Bello, Akinloye Ajobola
Oluseye, Ipoola Aderemi Binuyo,Adebayo Waseeu Gbola, Tayo Oyewale,Olayinka
Okedara, Joke Olatunde, Sanusi Hadizat Nike, Adesina K.O. and Mr. Demola Yaya.
ADVERTISING inRead invented by Teads Mr. Adedeji committee’s report has been
endorsed by the government of Governor Aregbesola. And since 2012, this report
has been endorsed severally by the governor himself. In a telephone
conversation I had with him last week, he said his government has not changed
position on the seventeen issues affirmed by Mr. Adedeji’s committee.”This is
still our stand I can assure you”. Let’s take a look at the Osun’s agenda on
restructuring. ADVERTISING inRead invented by Teads The Military—There is need
for a fundamental restructuring of the Military. There should be a regional
based army but with a central control just like in India. Devolution of power
Constitutional recognition should be given to Geo-political zones/regions. That
the Geo-political zones or regions should be the Federating units. That the Geo-political zones/regions should be created using such parameters as culture,
land, nationality and political expediency. More powers should be taken away
from the center to the federating units. That only matters bordering on the
collective interest of the generality of Nigerians like foreign affairs, defense, currency, among others, should be left with the Federal Government.
Amendment of the Constitution should include a clause for self-determination.
The National Assembly should be bi-camera but election to the House of
Representatives should reflect extant Electoral Act incorporating Justice Uwais
Panel reports in its entirety. Senators should be on part-time basis and
receive sitting allowances only which should be determined by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, RAFMAC, while the salary and emoluments of members
of the House of Representatives should not be higher than that of the most
senior public servant in the employment of the Federal Government. That each
region, when constitutionally recognized, should be allowed to make and have
its own constitution. In view of the above, chapter 1 of the 1999 constitution
should be amended to make the constitution supreme in areas allocated to the
Federal Government. However, if our proposal on devolution of power is
accepted, then it will affect all other provisions of the 1999 Constitution
which is essentially unitary in nature, orientation and philosophy to take care
of the heterogeneous nature of Nigerian society. In the event of any
inconsistency or conflict between the laws of the Geo-political zones or regions
and that of Federal Government, it should be resolved by the Supreme Court of
Nigeria. The right of self determination should be guaranteed by the
Constitution. In place of Section 3 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria which provides for the 36 states of the Federation, only
the Geo-political Zone/Region should be listed which political zones/regions
have been informally recognized by the people of Nigeria. The only issue to
resolve is power and responsibility to be allotted to each zone. Section 4 of
the Constitution should be preserved with a caveat that chapter v of the
constitution which contains section 47 to 89 should reflect the position of the
people of the state of Osun that the Geo-political zone/region should nominate
Senators to Senate of the Federal Government. System of govt A true Federal
administration based on parliamentary system of government should be entrenched
rather than the existing presidential system because parliamentary system
allows for collaboration and will greatly assist in reducing the cost of
governance. Executive powers at the federal level should be exercised by a
Presidium of six elected Presidents from each of the six regions for a single
term of six years with each president heading the government for one year on a
rotational basis while each of them will have ministerial responsibilities on
the federal matters for the term. With this arrangement, no region will claim marginalization. Fiscal Federalism Views on Fiscal Federation are based on power
devolution agenda. The general opinion is that each Geo-political zone should
control its resources with certain percentage as may be determined by the zone
to Federal Government. That all manners of taxes, including VAT, shall be the
exclusive preserve of the Geo-political zone/region except those dealing
directly with matters relating to federal Government. Nigeria Police The issues
agitating the minds of individuals are whether the policing system in Nigeria
should be under the control of the Federal Government or Regional Government?
The agitation for a state Police is borne out of the present ineffectiveness of
the Federal Police to provide security and other malfeasance perpetrated by the
police in their discharge of their constitutional duties. HIND SIGHT: The
establishment or the provision of a Federal Government is borne out of the fact
that in the previous years during the Nigeria constitutional evolution, there
existed then: (i) Local Government Police in the Southern State and (ii) Native
Authority in the North. Role of Traditional rulers In view of the fact that
traditional institutions must be respected as the custodian of custom and
culture of the people and because of the historical and cultural values
bestowed on the traditional institutions which must at all time be protected,
the call for constitutional role for traditional rulers is unnecessary and
uncalled for. This is because the jurisdiction of each traditional ruler is
restricted to his Local Government Area or a part thereof. However, Nigeria
being a multi ethnic, multi cultural country which precludes it from having a
unified traditional system. It is therefore, submitted that the Federal
Constitution should NOT accord/include any role for the traditional
institution. At best, each Regional Assembly should, in pursuance of its
residual power, make such laws as it may deem fit to accord honor and specific
responsibility to its traditional institutions. Recognition of six
Geo-political zones in the Constitution Nigeria is at present a strange federal
arrangement of 36 federating units that are largely enviable. Power is over
concentrated in the center and radiates from there to the States, at the
pleasure of the Federal Government. Resources allocation formula tilts
unjustifiably in favor of the center, breeding wastes, corruption, ineptitude
and under-developed of the constituent states. The course of true federalism
would be well and truly served if we return to the pre-1966 evolutionary path.
That is, a balanced federal structure which recognizes fully the legitimate
claims of all these groups for self determination, and where no single entity
among the federating units will be strong or powerful enough to hold the others
to ransom, but where each of the federating units is large enough both in terms
of size and population as well as of resources, to be viable, self-reliant and
dynamic. Arising from various different positions and strong argument canvassed
for each position in the memorandum to juxtapose this positions with other views
in materials available, we recommend that the new amendment to the
constitutions makes provisions to recognize the following zones as Constituents
units of the Nigerian Federation. North West zone Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina,
Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna States. North central zone Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara,
Kogi, Niger and Benue States. North east zone Yobe, Bornu, Adamawa,Gombe,Taraba
and Bauchi States. South west zone Oyo,Ogun,Ondo,Osun,Ekiti and Lagos States.
South east zone Imo, Enugu,Anambra,Abia and Ebonyi States. South south zone
Cross River, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom,Edo,Delta and Bayelsa States. We are of the
strong conviction that the present 36 states cannot, properly speaking, be the
constituent units of the Nigerian Union as they were not arrived at on the
basis of any rational, cultural,linguistic, political or economic parameters
but were largely products of whims, caprices and hegemonic designs of
privileged past Heads of State or Presidents(as the case may be) who used their
position to the advantage of their people. We therefore hold the position and
recommend the adoption of regional or zonal structure. These regional or zonal
structures should be accorded constitutional recognition. Each Region/Zone
should have its own constitution or be constitutionally empowered to enter into
such such agreements on administrative, economic and other activities, as may
be approved by the regional legislatures.
IN 2012 the Governor of
Osun state,Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola(60) set up a committee to
affirm the position of Osun state in restructuring. The committee was
headed by Mr. G.M. Adedeji. Other members of the committee were Adewale
Afolabi(represented by Abdulrasak Adeoye), Ajibola Basiru, Gbenga
Awosode, C.J. Aremu(Mrs.), Talib Bello, Akinloye Ajobola Oluseye, Ipoola
Aderemi Binuyo,Adebayo Waseeu Gbola, Tayo Oyewale,Olayinka Okedara,
Joke Olatunde, Sanusi Hadizat Nike, Adesina K.O. and Mr. Demola Yaya.
ADVERTISING
inRead invented by Teads
Mr. Adedeji committee’s report has been endorsed by the government of
Governor Aregbesola. And since 2012, this report has been endorsed
severally by the governor himself. In a telephone conversation I had
with him last week, he said his government has not changed position on
the seventeen issues affirmed by Mr. Adedeji’s committee.”This is still
our stand I can assure you”.
Let’s take a look at the Osun’s agenda on restructuring.
ADVERTISING
inRead invented by Teads
The Military—There is need for a fundamental restructuring of the
Military. There should be a regional based army but with a central
control just like in India.
Devolution of power
Constitutional recognition should be given to geo-political
zones/regions. That the geo-political zones or regions should be the
Federating units. That the geo-political zones/regions should be created
using such parameters as culture, land, nationality and political
expediency. More powers should be taken away from the centre to the
federating units. That only matters bordering on the collective interest
of the generality of Nigerians like foreign affairs, defence, currency,
among others, should be left with the Federal Government. Amendment of
the Constitution should include a clause for self-determination.
The National Assembly should be bi-camera but election to the House of
Representatives should reflect extant Electoral Act incorporating
Justice Uwais Panel reports in its entirety. Senators should be on
part-time basis and receive sitting allowances only which should be
determined by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, RAFMAC,
while the salary and emoluments of members of the House of
Representatives should not be higher than that of the most senior public
servant in the employment of the Federal Government. That each region,
when constitutionally recognised, should be allowed to make and have its
own constitution. In view of the above, chapter 1 of the 1999
constitution should be amended to make the constitution supreme in areas
allocated to the Federal Government.
However, if our proposal on devolution of power is accepted, then it
will affect all other provisions of the 1999 Constitution which is
essentially unitary in nature, orientation and philosophy to take care
of the heterogeneous nature of Nigerian society. In the event of any
inconsistency or conflict between the laws of the Geo-political zones or
regions and that of Federal Government, it should be resolved by the
Supreme Court of Nigeria. The right of self determination should be
guaranteed by the Constitution. In place of Section 3 of the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides for the
36 states of the Federation, only the Geo-political Zone/Region should
be listed which political zones/regions have been informally recognised
by the people of Nigeria. The only issue to resolve is power and
responsibility to be allotted to each zone. Section 4 of the
Constitution should be preserved with a caveat that chapter v of the
constitution which contains section 47 to 89 should reflect the position
of the people of the state of Osun that the geo-political zone/region
should nominate Senators to Senate of the Federal Government.
System of govt
A true Federal administration based on parliamentary system of
government should be entrenched rather than the existing presidential
system because parliamentary system allows for collaboration and will
greatly assist in reducing the cost of governance. Executive powers at
the federal level should be exercised by a Presidium of six elected
Presidents from each of the six regions for a single term of six years
with each president heading the government for one year on a rotational
basis while each of them will have ministerial responsibilities on the
federal matters for the term. With this arrangement, no region will
claim marginalisation.
Fiscal Federalism
Views on Fiscal Federation are based on power devolution agenda. The
general opinion is that each geo-political zone should control its
resources with certain percentage as may be determined by the zone to
Federal Government. That all manners of taxes, including VAT, shall be
the exclusive preserve of the geo-political zone/region except those
dealing directly with matters relating to federal Government.
Nigeria Police
The issues agitating the minds of individuals are whether the policing
system in Nigeria should be under the control of the Federal Government
or Regional Government? The agitation for a state Police is borne out of
the present ineffectiveness of the Federal Police to provide security
and other malfeasance perpetrated by the police in their discharge of
their constitutional duties. HIND SIGHT: The establishment or the
provision of a Federal Government is borne out of the fact that in the
previous years during the Nigeria constitutional evolution, there
existed then: (i) Local Government Police in the Southern State and (ii)
Native Authority in the North.
Role of Traditional rulers
In view of the fact that traditional institutions must be respected as
the custodian of custom and culture of the people and because of the
historical and cultural values bestowed on the traditional institutions
which must at all time be protected, the call for constitutional role
for traditional rulers is unnecessary and uncalled for. This is because
the jurisdiction of each traditional ruler is restricted to his Local
Government Area or a part thereof. However, Nigeria being a multi
ethnic, multi cultural country which precludes it from having a unified
traditional system. It is therefore, submitted that the Federal
Constitution should NOT accord/include any role for the traditional
institution.
At best, each Regional Assembly should, in pursuance of its residual
power, make such laws as it may deem fit to accord honour and specific
responsibility to its traditional institutions.
Recognition of six Geo-political
zones in the Constitution
Nigeria is at present a strange federal arrangement of 36 federating
units that are largely unviable. Power is over concentrated in the
centre and radiates from there to the States, at the pleasure of the
Federal Government. Resources allocation formula tilts unjustifiably in
favour of the centre, breeding wastes, corruption, ineptitude and
under-developed of the constituent states. The course of true federalism
would be well and truly served if we return to the pre-1966
evolutionary path. That is, a balanced federal structure which
recognises fully the legitimate claims of all these groups for self
determination, and where no single entity among the federating units
will be strong or powerful enough to hold the others to ransom, but
where each of the federating units is large enough both in terms of size
and population as well as of resources, to be viable, self-reliant and
dynamic. Arising from various different positions and strong argument
canvassed for each position in the memoranda to juxtapose this positions
with other views in materials available, we recommend that the new
amendment to the constitutions makes provisions to recognise the
following zones as Constituents units of the Nigerian Federation.
North West zone
Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna States.
North central zone
Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Benue States.
North east zone
Yobe, Bornu, Adamawa,Gombe,Taraba and Bauchi States.
South west zone
Oyo,Ogun,Ondo,Osun,Ekiti and Lagos States.
South east zone
Imo, Enugu,Anambra,Abia and Ebonyi States.
South south zone
Cross River, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom,Edo,Delta and Bayelsa States.
We are of the strong conviction that the present 36 states cannot,
properly speaking, be the constituent units of the Nigerian Union as
they were not arrived at on the basis of any rational,
cultural,linguistic, political or economic parameters but were largely
products of whims, caprices and hegemonic designs of privileged past
Heads of State or Presidents(as the case may be) who used their position
to the advantage of their people. We therefore hold the position and
recommend the adoption of regional or zonal structure. These regional or
zonal structures should be accorded constitutional recognition. Each
Region/Zone should have its own constitution or be constitutionally
empowered to enter into such such agreements on administrative, economic
and other activities, as may be approved by the regional legislatures.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/osuns-agenda-restructuring/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/osuns-agenda-restructuring/
IN 2012 the Governor of
Osun state,Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola(60) set up a committee to
affirm the position of Osun state in restructuring. The committee was
headed by Mr. G.M. Adedeji. Other members of the committee were Adewale
Afolabi(represented by Abdulrasak Adeoye), Ajibola Basiru, Gbenga
Awosode, C.J. Aremu(Mrs.), Talib Bello, Akinloye Ajobola Oluseye, Ipoola
Aderemi Binuyo,Adebayo Waseeu Gbola, Tayo Oyewale,Olayinka Okedara,
Joke Olatunde, Sanusi Hadizat Nike, Adesina K.O. and Mr. Demola Yaya.
ADVERTISING
inRead invented by Teads
Mr. Adedeji committee’s report has been endorsed by the government of
Governor Aregbesola. And since 2012, this report has been endorsed
severally by the governor himself. In a telephone conversation I had
with him last week, he said his government has not changed position on
the seventeen issues affirmed by Mr. Adedeji’s committee.”This is still
our stand I can assure you”.
Let’s take a look at the Osun’s agenda on restructuring.
ADVERTISING
inRead invented by Teads
The Military—There is need for a fundamental restructuring of the
Military. There should be a regional based army but with a central
control just like in India.
Devolution of power
Constitutional recognition should be given to geo-political
zones/regions. That the geo-political zones or regions should be the
Federating units. That the geo-political zones/regions should be created
using such parameters as culture, land, nationality and political
expediency. More powers should be taken away from the centre to the
federating units. That only matters bordering on the collective interest
of the generality of Nigerians like foreign affairs, defence, currency,
among others, should be left with the Federal Government. Amendment of
the Constitution should include a clause for self-determination.
The National Assembly should be bi-camera but election to the House of
Representatives should reflect extant Electoral Act incorporating
Justice Uwais Panel reports in its entirety. Senators should be on
part-time basis and receive sitting allowances only which should be
determined by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, RAFMAC,
while the salary and emoluments of members of the House of
Representatives should not be higher than that of the most senior public
servant in the employment of the Federal Government. That each region,
when constitutionally recognised, should be allowed to make and have its
own constitution. In view of the above, chapter 1 of the 1999
constitution should be amended to make the constitution supreme in areas
allocated to the Federal Government.
However, if our proposal on devolution of power is accepted, then it
will affect all other provisions of the 1999 Constitution which is
essentially unitary in nature, orientation and philosophy to take care
of the heterogeneous nature of Nigerian society. In the event of any
inconsistency or conflict between the laws of the Geo-political zones or
regions and that of Federal Government, it should be resolved by the
Supreme Court of Nigeria. The right of self determination should be
guaranteed by the Constitution. In place of Section 3 of the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides for the
36 states of the Federation, only the Geo-political Zone/Region should
be listed which political zones/regions have been informally recognised
by the people of Nigeria. The only issue to resolve is power and
responsibility to be allotted to each zone. Section 4 of the
Constitution should be preserved with a caveat that chapter v of the
constitution which contains section 47 to 89 should reflect the position
of the people of the state of Osun that the geo-political zone/region
should nominate Senators to Senate of the Federal Government.
System of govt
A true Federal administration based on parliamentary system of
government should be entrenched rather than the existing presidential
system because parliamentary system allows for collaboration and will
greatly assist in reducing the cost of governance. Executive powers at
the federal level should be exercised by a Presidium of six elected
Presidents from each of the six regions for a single term of six years
with each president heading the government for one year on a rotational
basis while each of them will have ministerial responsibilities on the
federal matters for the term. With this arrangement, no region will
claim marginalisation.
Fiscal Federalism
Views on Fiscal Federation are based on power devolution agenda. The
general opinion is that each geo-political zone should control its
resources with certain percentage as may be determined by the zone to
Federal Government. That all manners of taxes, including VAT, shall be
the exclusive preserve of the geo-political zone/region except those
dealing directly with matters relating to federal Government.
Nigeria Police
The issues agitating the minds of individuals are whether the policing
system in Nigeria should be under the control of the Federal Government
or Regional Government? The agitation for a state Police is borne out of
the present ineffectiveness of the Federal Police to provide security
and other malfeasance perpetrated by the police in their discharge of
their constitutional duties. HIND SIGHT: The establishment or the
provision of a Federal Government is borne out of the fact that in the
previous years during the Nigeria constitutional evolution, there
existed then: (i) Local Government Police in the Southern State and (ii)
Native Authority in the North.
Role of Traditional rulers
In view of the fact that traditional institutions must be respected as
the custodian of custom and culture of the people and because of the
historical and cultural values bestowed on the traditional institutions
which must at all time be protected, the call for constitutional role
for traditional rulers is unnecessary and uncalled for. This is because
the jurisdiction of each traditional ruler is restricted to his Local
Government Area or a part thereof. However, Nigeria being a multi
ethnic, multi cultural country which precludes it from having a unified
traditional system. It is therefore, submitted that the Federal
Constitution should NOT accord/include any role for the traditional
institution.
At best, each Regional Assembly should, in pursuance of its residual
power, make such laws as it may deem fit to accord honour and specific
responsibility to its traditional institutions.
Recognition of six Geo-political
zones in the Constitution
Nigeria is at present a strange federal arrangement of 36 federating
units that are largely unviable. Power is over concentrated in the
centre and radiates from there to the States, at the pleasure of the
Federal Government. Resources allocation formula tilts unjustifiably in
favour of the centre, breeding wastes, corruption, ineptitude and
under-developed of the constituent states. The course of true federalism
would be well and truly served if we return to the pre-1966
evolutionary path. That is, a balanced federal structure which
recognises fully the legitimate claims of all these groups for self
determination, and where no single entity among the federating units
will be strong or powerful enough to hold the others to ransom, but
where each of the federating units is large enough both in terms of size
and population as well as of resources, to be viable, self-reliant and
dynamic. Arising from various different positions and strong argument
canvassed for each position in the memoranda to juxtapose this positions
with other views in materials available, we recommend that the new
amendment to the constitutions makes provisions to recognise the
following zones as Constituents units of the Nigerian Federation.
North West zone
Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna States.
North central zone
Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Benue States.
North east zone
Yobe, Bornu, Adamawa,Gombe,Taraba and Bauchi States.
South west zone
Oyo,Ogun,Ondo,Osun,Ekiti and Lagos States.
South east zone
Imo, Enugu,Anambra,Abia and Ebonyi States.
South south zone
Cross River, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom,Edo,Delta and Bayelsa States.
We are of the strong conviction that the present 36 states cannot,
properly speaking, be the constituent units of the Nigerian Union as
they were not arrived at on the basis of any rational,
cultural,linguistic, political or economic parameters but were largely
products of whims, caprices and hegemonic designs of privileged past
Heads of State or Presidents(as the case may be) who used their position
to the advantage of their people. We therefore hold the position and
recommend the adoption of regional or zonal structure. These regional or
zonal structures should be accorded constitutional recognition. Each
Region/Zone should have its own constitution or be constitutionally
empowered to enter into such such agreements on administrative, economic
and other activities, as may be approved by the regional legislatures.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/osuns-agenda-restructuring/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/osuns-agenda-restructuring/
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