… rejects the creation of new states
A civil society organization, the Campaign for Dignity in Governance, has urged the National Assembly to prioritize what it refers to as a “genuine restructuring” of the country. This includes implementing regional autonomy and establishing State Police without further delay as the legislature reviews Nigeria’s constitution.
This demand follows the group’s Position Paper presented to the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment for the South-West Zone, which was held recently in Lagos.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Razaq Olokooba, the group also rejected proposals for the creation of new states. They argued that the Supreme Court’s ruling on local governments contradicts this position, and the implementation of such rulings should be set aside.
Olokooba called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to focus on comprehensive restructuring, as it is central to effective governance and development. He tasked the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment with making bold decisions that will benefit the citizenry.
He pointed out that the regional government model of the late 1960s in Nigeria fostered healthy governance and development. This was particularly evident during the Action Group government of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Western Region, which brought significant progress in free education, improved healthcare infrastructure, industrialization, and overall infrastructure growth.
Olokooba noted that the abolition of regional autonomy by the late General Aguyi Ironsi led to a unitary system of government, characterized by the overconcentration of power in the central government, a lack of strict adherence to lawful governance, and limited resource control and financial autonomy for regions.
The group’s position, demands, and recommendations to the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment are as follows:
Our Demands
We urge the National Assembly Committee to consider the following:
- Genuine restructuring of the country along regional autonomy.
- No need for the creation of additional states.
- Formation of State Police without further delay.
- Recognition that local governments are a component part of state governments; the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government contradicts this assertion, so its implementation should be set aside. Only state governments should have the unilateral ability to create local governments.
Conclusion:
We believe that a decentralized governance system based on devolution and decentralization will ensure political and fiscal autonomy for regional units and promote equity among them. We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize comprehensive restructuring and call on the National Assembly Committee to make bold decisions that will positively impact the citizenry.
Recommendations:
- Decentralize governance in theory, practice, content, and character.
- Ensure equity among regional units.
- Guarantee political and fiscal autonomy for each region.