National Assembly Disowns ‘Bill Seeking Return Of Nigeria To Regional Government’

The National Assembly has denied any connection to a draft bill that suggests returning Nigeria to a regional system of government.

Nigeria used a regional system of government after gaining independence in 1960 but switched to a presidential system in 1979 following military rule.

On Friday, the national assembly distanced itself from the bill after a document titled ‘A bill for an act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ went viral on social media.

The bill was reportedly drafted by Akin Fapohunda, who is not a member of the national assembly.

Speaking with PUNCH on Friday, Fapohunda said he is a retired director from the Presidency with a Ph.D. in Agricultural Science and experience in Information and Communication Technology and constitution drafting.

“I have a PhD. in Agricultural Science, but I am into Information and Communication Technology. I have been involved in constitution drafting for years,” he said,

He explained his reason for drafting the bill: “The President, this week returned us to the old national anthem. At independence, Nigeria embraced a regional system of government. So, I felt we could also revisit the past and return to regionalism.

“I have done a preliminary draft for Nigerians to ponder over. Next week, I will be seeing my representative in the House of Representatives.

“We hope that senators and House members can embrace this modest proposal for a change. If this is acceptable, we can then sit down and do a proper drafting of the bill.”

However, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate’s spokesperson, told TheCable that there is no such bill before the national assembly,

“Such a bill is not with us. And who is sponsoring the bill? The National Assembly plenary is always held openly with the media in the chambers. In which order paper has such been reflected?”

Akin Rotimi, the House of Representatives spokesperson, also denied the existence of such a bill, stressing that the committees on rules and business and constitution review have no record of the bill.

“The committees on rules and business and constitution review have confirmed that there is no such bill before them,” THE PUNCH quoted Rotimi as saying.

Similarly, Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, said the bill has not been presented to his committee.

He explained, “There are two routes to making presentations for constitutional amendments. One is by members proposing an amendment bill during the plenary. The second is by memoranda from individuals and groups to the Constitution Review Committee

“Please, note that memoranda submitted should eventually come by way of bills sponsored by a member of the committee.

“On this specific memo (draft bill) under reference, I doubt if it has come before the Rules and Business Committee for listing. I speak as chairman of the committee.”

KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu recently signed a bill to reinstate the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”