Constitution review: Nigerians call for true federalism

...as Sanwo-olu seeks special status for Lagos

Nigerians who participated in the ongoing Lagos zonal public hearing on the 1999 Constitution review on Wednesday, have called for a total amendment of the constitution to reflect true federalism.

Their position comes as Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu at the hearing, restated the need to grant Lagos a special status in the Nigerian constitution given the all- important role the state plays in the strengthening of the nation’s economy and the pressure exerted on its infrastructure by some 22 million people of Nigeria’s estimated 200 million population.

Topping the list of issues presented was the need for total devolution of powers whereby the local government system has the greater share and is empowered to carry out effective administration of the polity since it is closest to the people.

Participants also called for the creation of state police, re-inclusion of Magistrates in the constitution, review of the retirement age of Magistrates from 60 to 65.

There were also calls for a declaration to make the Higher National Diploma (HND) equivalent to the university degree; need to ensure gender equality, as well as revenue allocation.

The two-day public hearing is holding at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.

The hearing was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu (host), Oluremi Tinubu, a senator representing Lagos Central and chairman of the hearing committee), Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos West), Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East); Ibikunle Amosun, Tolu Odebiyi (Ogun State); Teslim Folarin and Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo State), among others.

Sanwo-olu, who opened the event, noted that the constitutional amendment process would provide Nigerians the opportunity to express their minds on issues they want reflected in the constitution.

“This is what true democracy is all about – the exercise of the sovereign will of the people. The voices and wishes of the people must always be heard loud and clear, regarding how they are being governed and how they wish to be governed,” he said.

The governor, who also said it would be impossible to reflect every expressed wish in the revised constitution, urged the people to adopt the spirit of give-and-take, “with a willingness to mutually compromise and avoid unnecessary tension and division along the way.”

According to him, “For us in Lagos State, the issues of state police and fiscal federalism top the priority list for us. Equally fundamental is the issue of a special economic status for Lagos, considering our place in the national economy and the special burdens we bear by virtue of our large population and limited land mass.

“I believe the need for this special status has been sufficiently articulated and justified. It suffices for me at this point to restate that this request is by no means a selfish one, but one that is actually in the interest of every Nigerian and of Nigeria as a nation.”

“The progress and prosperity of Nigeria is inextricably linked to the progress and prosperity of Lagos State. A special status for Lagos State, therefore, must be a concern not only for the people of Lagos State but for all Nigerians,” Sanwo-olu added.

Deputy speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni, who represented the speaker, Mudashiru Obasa also reiterated the need for Lagos to get a special status.

He advocated 30 percent derivation on natural resources for the domiciling states, as well as the criminalisation of undue interference in activities of the legislature by the executive. Sanni added that it was also expedient that state police be created to improve security at the grassroots.

State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN), Alexander Bamgbola queried the establishment and functionality of sharia courts since the constitution said there would be no state religion. He hinted that CAN might be forced to vie for Canon courts in the spirit of equity and justice.

Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba insisted that labour and the national minimum wage be retained on the exclusive legislative list.

He argued that since Nigeria has domesticated 26 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which governs labour matters, “it would be anomalous, incongruous and contemptible of global standards and order to even contemplate removing labour from the exclusive legislative list.”

“Any contemplation to remove the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list would only expose Nigeria to international ridicule and opprobrium,” he said.

Oluremi Tinubu, who read the welcome address of the deputy Senate president, Ovie Omo-agege said the zonal hearings were coming before the national hearing because the Senate decided to adopt a bottom-top approach by first listening to Nigerians at the geopolitical level.

“A constitution review represents a critical phase in our development and advancement as a nation. At the commencement of this ninth Senate, we had set for ourselves a legislative agenda as a basis on which we are to be assessed.