*Says FG carries too much weight
By Abubakar Salihu
The Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai has said that each state of the federation should decide the model of democratic local government that best suits it because Nigeria is a federation of the 36 states and the Federal government.
The Governor made the revelations at the public hearing of the senate committee on the review of the 1999 constitution on Wednesday in Kaduna, saying that each state should decide how many local governments it can efficiently run and fund for better governance and delivery of public goods.
According to him, listing the 774 Local Governments in the Constitution and trying to establish for them direct relations with the Federal Government violated the spirit of federalism, added that each state should decide what typology of local governance fits its historical, cultural and administrative circumstances, but the resulting framework must be democratic, with periodic elections at no longer than four year intervals.
The governor argued that devolution of powers is necessary because the current structure overburdens the federal government with too many responsibilities which it cannot efficiently handle, said that the APC Committee on True Federalism which he headed, had identified legislative interventions that the National Assembly can more easily undertake to achieve a truly balanced, equitable and fair federal structure.
His words:- ‘’we also drafted bills to alter the constitution and amend or repeal existing legislations to achieve the overall objective of true federalism.’’
In his remarks on the occasion, Senator Uba Sani representing Kaduna Central, said the zonal public hearing was to expand and deepen the people’s participation in the constitutional reform process.
He said when the people are fully involved, they will own the process, legitimize it, and defend its outcome. “I am highly impressed with the quality of discussions at this zonal public hearing. We have also put forward key proposals for consideration by the Senate, and indeed the National Assembly.
Our sincere appreciation goes to the Deputy Senate President for his well-articulated and highly illuminating address. His address was unique as always because of the novelty of ideas as well as style. We greatly value your contributions.
Said he:-“We have also listened to the powerful and thought-provoking remarks by our Special Guest of Honour, the innovative and resourceful Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. I would like to avert the attention of the distinguished members of this committee and all legislators here present to the recommendations contained in the Report of the True Federalism Committee, which His Excellency Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai chaired.
The Report was drafted excellently, and it highlighted draft legislation that lawmakers may choose
to sponsor,” he said.
Uba Sani said there is no better time to pass laws regarding State Police, State Judiciary, Resource Control, and Revenue Allocation in favour of the States. “Such laws are paramount to bring development closer to the people. Esteemed citizens, the time is now, and we must be deliberate in our action to ensure we create a sustainable Nation that will stand and prosper for generations to come,” he said.
Earlier in his address, Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, said those who have followed previous Constitutional Review exercises, may be wondering why these Zonal Hearings are coming ahead of the National Public Hearing.
“The reason is not farfetched; the Senate has decided to adopt a bottom-top approach by first listening to Nigerians at the geo-political level.
This approach underscores the critical importance the Constitution Review Committee places on the subnational levels of governance in Nigeria. Surely, and without a doubt, the success of the Committee’s review process will be dependent on your beneficent support and partnership. You are indeed the pillar on which the Committee’s work is to be anchored. That is why we deem it prudent to meet with you first. In other words, this exercise is your exercise and I implore you all to embrace and own it.”