President Muhammadu Buhari has recently signed 16 new Bill into law, in a bid to amend parts of the 1999 constitution. This was however disclosed by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives’ Special Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution. Information from Ahmed Wuse, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a Co-Chairman of the committee indicated that one of the assented Bill included the devolution of power to the state from the federal, with some other items in the constitution also moved to the Concurrent list from the Exclusive Legislative List.
Over the years, there has been numerous arguments by analysts as to why the Exclusive Legislative List, which featured matters designed to be authorized by only the federal government, was extremely heavy and thus, needed to be devolved to the state government. Some of these power devolution Bill that passed the legislative requirements include airports, prisons, power, railways, as well as biometric and criminal records. However, while these Bill were signed to grant the state legislature and judiciary a much needed operational liberty, the state HoA were against the local government sovereignty.
State HoA urged to fulfill their duties of constitution amendment
Reports indicate that about 35 of the 44 Constitution Alteration Bill were transmitted in January by the National Assembly after being passed by the state HoA. In amending a clause in the constitution, it is required that a majority (two-third) of the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) must approve the amendments. Upon this, it is transmitted to the state HoA, where at least 24 of the 36 (two-third) must also approve the Bill.
Of the 36 states, the 27 Houses of Assembly that forwarded their resolutions as regards the Bill include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Rivers and Yobe. The Federal HoR however urged the remaining states to fulfill their constitutionally imposed obligation to the amendment process of the constitution by submitting their own resolutions.
Ayo Adebanjo notes that this development is not the ultimate solution.
A statement from the office of the Deputy Speaker, on Friday, quoted Ahmed Wuse commending the assenting “some momentous legislations”. The Fifth Alteration Bill No. 6, 7, 16 and 17 however dealt with devolving power, enhancing federalism and strengthening the judiciary and state HoA. He appreciated members of the Ninth Assembly for their immense contributions towards ensuring the passage of this legacy legislation. One significant Bill which was also assented was the ministerial nominations of elected presidents and governors. Recall that President Buhari, after winning the 2015 election, took about 6 months after his inauguration, to nominate his cabinet members. This caused a lot of public criticism. However, with this Bill, the president-elect and governor-elect have to submit the list of cabinet members within 60 days of assuming office.
Reacting to this development however, Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, a Yoruba Socio-political organization, noted that whilst this power devolution was a welcome development, it was in no way the ultimate solution to the country’s problems. In an interview, he indicated his disbelief in the amendment, criticizing the president for not signing the State Police Amendment. He also stated that the constitution being amended was the military’s, calling for an acceptance of the 2014 constitutional conference.
Power devolution posed to make the state more functional.
Also reacting to this development was Mr. Olalekan Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who commended the president and National Assembly and noted that this development would make the state more functional. He explained that Lagos was already showing the lead as to the establishment and control of railways and the power revolution would only give states more power to control certain items. Mr. Afam Osigwe (SAN) also added that this devolution of power would further enhance Nigeria’s federalism.
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Buhari assents the power devolution bill. – State House of Assembly still against sovereignty of the local government. – Express your point of view.
The approval of power devolution in the country by our President Buhari is a welcome development and it will definitely move the country towards the right direction. However, that is not enough, it was discovered that the state police was not inclusive which should be the major thing along with the devolution of power.
Devolution of power is a good one. Buh then, it’d only favor states that makes high revenue like lagos and the rest. It has it’s advantage too, because states like lagos will have the power to do a lot of developments
This new bill would really help each states to be able to help themselves and I hope they fully take advantage of this because it will be bad for them if they don’t.
It is excellent that Lagos was already demonstrating the lead when it came to the development and regulation of railways, and the energy transformation can only give government more ability to govern certain things.
This will really makes development reach states that are underserved and promote power decentralization.
Here is a great developmental opportunity for the dates to take advantage of which they will probably do.
Devolution of power makes sense! The states should comply to fulfill their constitutionally imposed obligation to the amendment process of the constitution by submitting. This would give the government options before making final decision.
This is a good bill than will help and make each state develop themselves well using this opportunity I hope they make useful of the bill and do the needful
I like this move from the president, more of this please now we can achieve 24-hour electricity in Lagos and our transportation industry will go up a notch too. Wonderful.
I see Lagos state benefiting from this development more cause they are already in front and has what it takes in terms of infrastructure and development.
Revolution of power is a right thing to do nice one from our president, each state will have to build themselves in development and infrastructure, state like Lagos as already engage in that kind of act it will help each states
It makes sense to devolve power! To fulfill their duty to participate in the amendment process as required by the Constitution the states should comply well.
The devolution of power from the central to state is long overdue because it has really have bad effect on the life’s of people and the environment.
Weldon Mr President for assenting to the devolution of power in Nigeria. You will be celebrated for this heroic move but unfortunately you left out the state police. This is not complete yet until you add the state police.
For President Buhari to approve power devolution in the country is a late project. He has failed already after eight (8) years nothing. Please Buhari don’t approve anything again because you are leaving office soon
I hope they make good use of the bill and take the necessary action because this is an excellent bill that will aid and enable each state to grow themselves successfully.
This is actually very good. Buhari did well on this devolution of power to the state. It will help the state to work hand in hand with the federal government on the same items, especially in the exclusive list meant for only federal government.
With President Buhari’s blessing, power devolution in Nigeria will finally be implemented, and the country will finally be moving in the right direction.
This is a fantastic bill that will help and empower each state to expand successfully, and I hope they use it well and implement the necessary measures.