Reps and restructuring question

We write on the steps the House of Representatives is taking to address the political agitation in the country and move to achieve the clamour for restructuring.
Currently, the agitation for a restructuring of the country by various players in the Nigeria political landscape has continued to generate talks from various segments of the society. In the House of Representatives, the agitation is not lost on the peoples’ representatives.

No doubt, the restructuring agitation is generating tension among different zones of the country. The failure by the National Assembly to accommodate the issue of devolution of power in its ongoing constitution review exercise has further heated up the polity, though the House has consistently promised that it would be revisited.

Various ethnic groups, in demanding for restructuring of the country, have been meeting to air their views on the need for restructuring. But with growing agitation for restructuring, the House of Representatives leadership has insisted that only the National Assembly has the constitutional power to restructure the country.

This view was echoed by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, when the House resumed from its two months recess. To accommodate the agitation for restructuring, he said that the House would revisit voting on the Constitution amendment. He said, “let me commend you all, my dear colleagues, for the informed restraint, maturity and patriotism in responding to the various incidences of unease that occasioned during the period of the recess. This is in line with the oath we all took to uphold and defend the constitution, and I do not take it for granted.

Indeed, I make bold to say that these recent developments are a pointer to the reality that constitutional amendment remains an unfinished business demanding our expeditious attention. I am confident we are well able to do the needful.”

In addition, he said, “We are all aware that during the recess, the agitation by a group of persons based in the South-Eastern geopolitical zone of the country and the heightened call by many groups for restructuring of the country dominated discourse in Nigeria. It is in this regard that I wish to commend our religious and traditional rulers, leaders of various ethnic nationalities, elder statesmen, security agencies, governors and indeed governments of the states in the federation for their display of statesmanship during this period.

“Indeed, all patriotic Nigerians rose in unison to uphold the fundamental rights of all citizens to move freely and reside in any part of the federation as they choose, without let or hindrance. It appears to me that the citizens of this great country have sounded the message loud and clear that they stand for a united, prosperous and just Nigeria”.

The Speaker in a poser on the role of the National Assembly in the restructuring agitation asked, “Do we have a legislative response to the issues that have been thrown up? Is the National Assembly involved in the debate? Can restructuring take place outside the existing legal order? Indeed, all the arguments about restructuring are at the end of the day legislative issues.”

According to him, “it may be necessary for due course for the National Assembly to have a second look at the issues that have been thrown up. The National Assembly as a representative and product of the people cannot act contrary to the wishes and aspirations of its constituents.

“We need to sift all the ‘noise’ and find out what exactly a majority of our people actually want? This is a responsibility we cannot outsource.

“It is my view that we need to revisit some aspects of the voting on constitution alteration. Luckily, we still have the legislative window of conferencing with the Senate, where we have differences.”

Dogara argued that it had become necessary to emphasise that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy with a clear legal framework for resolving differences that normally arise among citizens, between citizens and government as well as between the structures and arms of government.

“Make no mistake, as representatives of the people, we have a duty to champion the protection and preservation of the rights of our constituents and people. We are very conscious and indeed jealous of the fundamental rights provided under our Constitution as well as the human and peoples rights under the African Charter,” he stated.

Sounding a note of warning, he said, “As an institution, this House stands firmly on the side of those who seek equity, fairness and justice so long as such is pursued in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which we as honorable members have sworn to protect and preserve.

“Anyone or group who assaults our constitution will not find a partner here because our oath of office repels it: but those who stand for justice, fairness and equity will have partners in us because our oath of office compels it. We will work shoulder to shoulder with all those working within the ambit of the constitution and the law for all Nigerians, regardless of creed or ethnicity, to be first class citizens as no nation can truly be first class if it harbours within its borders second or third class citizens.”

Moving forward, the House has set up a committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Lasun Yusuf, which include: Majority Leader, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor; Chief Whip. Honourable Ado Doguwa, Minority Whip, Umar Barde; Deputy Majority Leader, Umar Jibril; Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyema and Deputy Chief Whip, Pally Iriase. Others are Deputy Minority Whip, Hon Binta Bello; chairperson, Foreign Affairs, Honourable Nnena Elendu-Ukeje and Deputy Chairman, Rules and Business, Honourable Bode Ayorinde.

The committee is expected to meet with stakeholders on the issue of restructuring.

A motion sponsored by the Majority Leader led to the decision by the House to set up the committee.

On the motion raised by the House Leader and passed by the House entitled, “Motion on Unity of Nigeria,” he said that “there have been different agitations across the Nigeria which have led to divergent views on the suitability of redefining the structures upon which the unity of Nigeria rests. These agitations have resulted into proscription of groups, loss of lives and judicial pronouncements.

“Events of the last few weeks brought Nigeria close to the precipice but for the determination of Nigerians in their commitment to the peace and unity of the country. Hence the urgent need for the intervention of the House of Representatives.

“It is imperative that the members of the House of Representatives who hold brief for their teeming constituents must drop partisan politics, ethnic and religious interests and speak in one voice to save our country from disintegration.

“Be assured that the House stands for the co-dependence of the regions of this country,” he maintained.

Commenting on the workings of the committee on restructuring, House spokesperson, Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas, said that there was no specific working template for the committee which he called, “Committee on Political Agitations in Nigeria”.

He, however, said that the committee “will collate views of stakeholders across the country, after which all will be integrated into the devolution of power bill and reintroduced.”

A statement that was later released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Wole Oladimeji, pleaded with Nigerians to support the National Assembly in ensuring that all political agitations in the country are resolved.

The deputy speaker, who presided over the inaugural meeting of the House 16-member special ad hoc committee on the political agitations in the country, called for support and understanding of the people.

He stated that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of making sure that all political agitation from various quarters across the country are stopped

He said the committee would go from one location to another to investigate the cause of agitation and also provide a lasting solution to various agitations.

He appealed to members of the committee to take the assignment serious due to the urgency and complexity of the agitations.

He assured Nigerians that the committee would do everything within its power to come up with solutions that would stop further agitations in the country.